doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com Martini Henry sporter questions

My latest acquisition. First I will apologize for the pics across my knees and such. I picked this up and am hoping to learn a little more about what I have. Gun is unsigned. I will have to cast the chamber but I am suspicious that it is something along the lines of a 450-577. Top rib is not integral. Leaf sights out to 500. Ladder site will not stand up. I will take more detailed pics of it later. Various proof marks in pics on barrel, breech block, and frame. I think british viewing marks on the block, barrel and frame? Also BP black powder proof on barrel? And a little difficult but 450- Refers to Bore? It was just too cool to pass up.

Nice! I have a similar rifle. Marked 'Watson Bros.' on the rib. Same separate soldered on assembly.
Mine was 303 but a burned out bore. Now a 35.

Birmingham Black Powder Proof & View marks. The View marked after the rifle went through the actual proof, was inspected and passed.

Also looks like a London Proof House 'Final Proof' (BP) mark there too on the bbl closest to the frame.
Guessing it was proofed at London origianly and went to Birmingham for re-proof after some work performed at a later time.,,maybe a conversion to 450 from ??

I think the .450 is bore diameter but I also thought case length was to be marked as well.

What do I know other than I like the rifle!

Thanks Kutter. Curious who the likely maker might have been. Thanks for the info.

The rib on mine is matted with an area left blank and that's where the makers name is engraved. Between the frame and the rear sight.
I noticed your's is a smooth rib. Maybe it was struck down smooth at some point taking any markings off of it.
Could have just been made that way too.
Just some thoughts.

One of mine's by Greener in 577-500#2. I really like them. I have another marked Robert Hughs.







I don't have photos of the Hughs yet, it's still in South Africa.

Mike, your greener action looks identical to what I have in so far as design, screw placement, etc. I was told this was a Greener prior to purchase but I found nothing exposed that would indicate this so I have my doubts. Any idea about when it was made? Are your proof marks similar? Wonder if the action on mine was at least supplied by Greener. Thanks

I'll look at the marks when I get home today. Greener made millions of Martini's.

I have 2 Greeners of the same pattern.