Something for a Martini II

[trajan]

I was intrigued to discover this little snippet while working through various Martini threads in connection with my own Martini bayonets, at: http://www.armsregister.com/arms_register/arms_register_documents/nzar_135_martini_henry-bayonets.pdf

Namely that in 1889/90 and 1893, NZ imported some of these rifles and the bayonets to go with them - but who for? Maybe the one that SS posted at http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=153465 is one of that group? Is there any evidence they were still in service use in the GW in militia service?

SS, you mention that yours has "loads of very interesting markings", so what are they? Will you share?

Trajan

EDIT: PS, mine's a GG, 2:1 with MB, plus olives and lemon peel, MB poured straight into the GG - if you are wondering!

[4thGordons]

I do not think it has any markings to indicate this on it (I will now need to check!) but a few years ago I acquired a Martini in .303 from the same source as my two NZ marked MLEs.

I have at least two photos showing Martini rifles/carbines in use in the UK during the Great War. One might well be a photographers prop but the carbines certainly are not.

Chris

[trajan]

Chris,

Do you know these pages? They look of interest, but I have no idea as to their accuracy...

http://www.allaboutenfields.co.nz/history/martini-henry-cavalry-carbine/

http://www.armsregister.com/arms_register/arms_register_documents/nzar_62_martini_henry_rifle.pdf

Either way, it would seem that the rifle (and so its bayonet) was out of NZ service by 1903, and were sold off by 1907.

Julian