Author Topic: Martini-Henry info (Read 804 times)

S.S. · « **on:** May 03, 2003, 05:12:01 AM »

Here's some general specs.
Caliber: .45 (.45-577-450) Aka. .45 Cal. Short Chamber Boxer Henry
(.577 snider necked down to .45 caliber I think)

Overall length: 49.5 in.
" " with bayonet: 71.5 in.

Weight: 9 lbs.
Barrel Length 33.2 in.
Bore diameter: .450
Groove diameter: .459
7 grooves with right hand twist (1 in 22 in. twist)

Bullet weight: 480 gr. (Paper patched)
Charge weight: 85 Gr. (black powder)
Velocity: 1350

I can find no info as to Max range of weapon, But the cartridge/rifle
combo is comparable to some of our old Sharps ctg/rifle combos.
Which should easily kill anything you can see to shoot at with open sights.

Hope this helps some.

Double D · « **Reply #1 on:** May 03, 2003, 06:30:25 AM »

Just about everything you want to know on the internet about Martini-Henry military rifle can be found on Jason Atkins website http://www.martinihenry.com/

There also several dedicated discussion forums on the Martini.

I posted a resource list here on Graybead that has links to everything I could find on the internet on the Martini. those discussion forums are buried in the list

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=10300

Wijbrandus · « **Reply #2 on:** May 03, 2003, 06:32:09 AM »

That is awesome information. Many thanks for locating this.

The rifle just reminds me of our modern single-shots. Even though there were some after-action reports that indicated heavy rates of fire, the Brits never reported any sign of jamming, like what happened to some of our rifles during the late 1800's when the barrels got really hot.

My wife thinks I'm crazy, but I want to actually take one of those rifles to the range one day.

~Robert
Denver, CO

Double D · « **Reply #3 on:** May 03, 2003, 07:24:45 AM »

We are having a discussion on using fillers in the 577/450 over on the British militaria board. Mentioned in the discussion was the coil case round and the problems occuring in the Sudan with the head pulling off. Sound like something we have heard of?

I am going to post a link to above mention discussion. Graybead may slap me around for it. But I learn pretty quick.

http://pub182.ezboard.com/fbritishmilitariaforumsfrm12.showMessage?topicID=140.topic

Wijbrandus · « **Reply #4 on:** May 03, 2003, 07:33:22 AM »

Quote

Mentioned in the discussion was the coil case round and the problems occuring in the Sudan with the head pulling off. Sound like something we have heard of?

I had not heard that account. Admittedly, I've focused my [limited] research primarily on the Natal and the Rourke's Drift incident. I believe that the troops there used only the improved drawn ammunition, but I could be wrong. If that were true, perhaps that would explain why I hadn't heard any negative things on the issue of ammunition from the Zulu war.

Although, after checking the website mentioned earlier in the thread, I did see a reference to some ammunition sticking in the barrel. I wonder how isolated of an incident that was?

~Robert
Denver, CO

Double D · « **Reply #5 on:** May 03, 2003, 06:27:36 PM »

I don't know how wide spred the problem with the head coming of those coil case, you might ask that question of those other guys, I know that they will be able to tell you.

Sgt. Drydock · « **Reply #6 on:** May 25, 2003, 02:49:33 AM »

Same thing with the Trapdoor. The use of soft folded copper cases with Benet priming, which required a crimp in the base of the cartridge, was responsible for virtualy all the reports of stuck cases in the field, and the problem was eliminated by the introduction of drawn brass cartridges in the late 1870s/early 1880s. Blame a congress unwilling to appropriate funds for new cartridge machinery.