Pennlass Posted 3 May , 2021 Share Posted 3 May , 2021 Can someone please help me to identify this rifle. It has been in the loft for the past 30 years having been given by a distant relative. I am moving house and would like to sell it so that someone can enjoy it, it would be a shame to move it from one loft to another! I am looking forward to any information you can share, thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mk VII Posted 3 May , 2021 Share Posted 3 May , 2021 (edited) It's a Martini-Enfield carbine, almost certainly .303. The E on the nock's form shows it has Enfield rifling. Part of the loading lever appears to be broken off. It appears to have been issued to the Norfolk Yeomanry in 1901. It may have been issued/sold to one of the public school cadet corps after that - the opposed arrows show it was no longer govt property at that stage. Edited 3 May , 2021 by Mk VII Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thGordons Posted 3 May , 2021 Share Posted 3 May , 2021 ^^^Agree with MkVII (I suppose it is possible it was also converted to .22? for miniature rifle range use) - the calibre should be fairly obvious if looking at the muzzle. These did see limited use as second (or 3rd!) line weapons in WWI. Here is a picture of an ASC detachment armed with them: Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennlass Posted 4 May , 2021 Author Share Posted 4 May , 2021 Thank you both for your help. I completely misinterpreted the marks on the wood as I thought under the B.B where it says W.H.PTON might stand for Wolverhampton! That picture really makes you wonder where the rifle went and who were men who used it. thank you again, this forum is always so helpful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dai Bach y Sowldiwr Posted 4 May , 2021 Share Posted 4 May , 2021 I presume you are in the UK, the gun has not been deactivated and that you hold a firearms certificate. I don't know much about guns, but I'm not sure that just keeping such a weapon in the loft complies with legislation. Buying and selling such items is another potential legal minefield for you. Even deactivated weapons must be registered. Here is a guide on firearms which might not be up to date, but if not, then I suspect that rules introduced since publication will be even more strict. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/518193/Guidance_on_Firearms_Licensing_Law_April_2016_v20.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ss002d6252 Posted 4 May , 2021 Share Posted 4 May , 2021 I would agree with Da's post - for your own sake please make sure that everything complies with the relevant legislation. You do not want to inadvertently end up in court for a firearm that doesn't meet the legal requirements, and therefore we would suggest that you take advice from someone who deals with weapons professionally. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PRC Posted 4 May , 2021 Share Posted 4 May , 2021 17 hours ago, Pennlass said: 17 hours ago, Mk VII said: It appears to have been issued to the Norfolk Yeomanry in 1901. Complete novice on such weaponry, so would be interested in knowing that if 12/01 is the issue date, then could " I .Y NK." potentially be one of the Norfolk Companys of the Imperial Yeomanry, as opposed to Norfolk Yeomanry? Cheers, Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peregrinvs Posted 4 May , 2021 Share Posted 4 May , 2021 5 hours ago, Dai Bach y Sowldiwr said: Even deactivated weapons must be registered. Only EU-spec ones. It doesn’t apply to pre-EU-spec deacts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave66 Posted 4 May , 2021 Share Posted 4 May , 2021 3 hours ago, PRC said: Complete novice on such weaponry, so would be interested in knowing that if 12/01 is the issue date, then could " I .Y NK." potentially be one of the Norfolk Companys of the Imperial Yeomanry, as opposed to Norfolk Yeomanry? Cheers, Peter I agree Peter, Norfolk imperial yeomanry is how I read it. Dave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennlass Posted 4 May , 2021 Author Share Posted 4 May , 2021 I am really grateful for your posts but obviously feel very anxious now. I know absolutely nothing about firearms and assumed that as it has some kind of stopper in the end it was safe. I just want it gone now. I live in the Midlands and can see from the guidance there is somewhere local I can ring. If any of you have other suggestions I would be very grateful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ss002d6252 Posted 4 May , 2021 Share Posted 4 May , 2021 7 minutes ago, Pennlass said: I am really grateful for your posts but obviously feel very anxious now. I know absolutely nothing about firearms and assumed that as it has some kind of stopper in the end it was safe. I just want it gone now. I live in the Midlands and can see from the guidance there is somewhere local I can ring. If any of you have other suggestions I would be very grateful If you can find a local gunsmith they can probably give you an idea as to whether or not it's legally deactivated or not. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now