My first Martini and my first post

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Gary D	My first Martini and my first post	Lead	[-]
Corporal Posts: 1 (11/23/08 22:32:21) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Tags : None I've been collecting Lee Enfields for a bit now and find I really have developed an interest in the commonwealth firearms. Now I just got my first Martini-Henry. For a while now I've been squirreling a bit here and there to order a mkII from IMA and debating whether I should go with the mkII or mkIV. Well a local gun show solved that dilemma for me when (while again looking at a mkIV) I came across a 1873 mkI. So needless to say I bought it. It's not perfect however. It's mising the cleaning rod, the trigger guard swivel and the butt plate was replaced with what appears to have been a recoil pad at one point. If anyone can help find me a checkered butt plate proper for this rifle (although I'll happily take a plain one for the time being too, as that would be light years better than the plastic junk on there at the moment) and the swivel I would be endebted to them. Thanks so much, I've got a lot to learn about these wonderful guns, and this looks like a great place Gary.
GrantR Canada		#1	[-]
Veteran of the Regiment Posts: 1919 (11/23/08 22:41:56) Forum Wallah Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Welcome aboard, Gary! I directed Gary (who is a fellow Canuck) over here from GunBoards. He appears to have lucked into one of the 2100 "late second pattern" Mark I rifles shipped to Canada in early 1874 - all produced after the "safety" had been eliminated from production, but before finalization in mid-1874 of the "Approved Pattern" Mark I (the so-called "third pattern") which was followed by the War Department directive to return all earlier-production rifles to be upgraded to the "Approved Pattern". Canada's MkI's had been placed in stores, and the directive was never complied with .... Definitely worth trying to get the missing bits replaced! Grant Rombough Medicine Hat, Alberta Canada ("Rattlesnake Jack Robson", Scout, Rocky Mountain Rangers, 1885) WEBSITE: "RATTLESNAKE JACK'S"
Gary D		#2	[-]
Corporal Posts: 3 (11/24/08 04:21:49) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Thanks for the invite Grant. Wow you're in the Hat! we'll have to meet over coffee sometime.
The Double D		#3	[-]
Veteran of the Regiment Posts: 4413 (11/24/08 06:49:48) Moderator Emeritus Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Before we look for a butt plate let find out if we need a new buttstock. Is the inletting for the butt plate still there or was it cut off for the recoil pad. I have a butt plate. DD ******* To find things Martini go to:Martini Internet Resource List** Last Edited By: The Double D 11/24/08 06:52:33. Edited 1 times.
BillOregon		#4	[-]
Sergeant Major Posts: 290 (11/24/08 07:05:08) Colour Sergeant Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Geez! An 1873 Mk. I for a first Martini. Doesn't get much sweeter than that. Is the bore as nice as the exterior?
GrantR Canada		#5	[-]
Veteran of the Regiment Posts: 1921 (11/24/08 10:55:59) Forum Wallah Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Gary: As I just mentioned in a brief response, I didn't realize that you are as close as Maple Creek until I read your "Check In" post ..... My sister and her husband live in Maple Creek, so meeting over coffee .... and shooting the breeze, or even some ammo some time ..... is definitely "do-able". (I'll send you a Personal Message with my e-mail address.) Also, I have just wakened up to the fact that I obviously missed the Maple Creek Gun Show this past weekend .... and that, if I hadn't, this Mark I just might have ended up in my clutches, rather than yours!!! ........ Oh well .... I'll have to take that as a sign that I am destined to eventually own the rifle I pictured on GunBoards (and below) .... because "I know where she lives", and it has been my long-term goal to get her to move to my house. Of course, my intentions are entirely honourable - I would be a perfect gentleman, treating her with the proper respect and dignity..... and, of course, taking immediate steps to see her fitted with a proper ramrod, in place of the MKIV ramrod she is presently stuck with ...... (Yes .... I knew she was cocked when these pictures were taken, having just been allowed to "play with her" a bit. I was very gentle with her, of course and, when I noted her condition through the viewfinder on the close-up shot, I immediately "eased her tension" ...... ) Grant Rombough Medicine Hat, Alberta Canada ("Rattlesnake Jack Robson", Scout, Rocky Mountain Rangers, 1885) WEBSITE: "RATTLESNAKE JACK'S" Last Edited By: GrantR Canada 11/24/08 11:01:43. Edited 1 times.
Gary D		#6	[-]
Corporal Posts: 4 (11/24/08 16:27:28) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	The Double D wrote: Before we look for a butt plate let find out if we need a new buttstock. Is the inletting for the butt plate still there or was it cut off for the recoil pad. I have a butt plate. Awesome!!!! I plan to strip her down and clean her up a bit later tonight if I get a chance. I'll take some more photos then. But the butt appears to still be intact with the inletting present on the heel with the plastic pad shaped to fit.
The Double D		#7	[-]
Veteran of the Regiment Posts: 4416 (11/24/08 16:39:07) Moderator Emeritus Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Well lets look at the inletting first. An then we'll discuss the butt plate. DD ******* To find things Martini go to:Martini Internet Resource List**
Gary D		#8	[-]
Corporal Posts: 5 (11/24/08 20:59:32) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I wasn't able to really accomplish what I intended tonight, but I did grab some quick snaps of the butt with the gumby plate removed. I completely understand any reluctance to part with the plate for a rifle that may be worth more as a parts gun. Certainly feel free to wait until I get the gun cleaned up and some pics posted before you make a decision. Last Edited By: Gary D 11/24/08 21:03:53. Edited 1 times.
The Double D		#9	[-]
Veteran of the Regiment Posts: 4418 (11/24/08 21:05:00) Moderator Emeritus Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Drop me a PM with your mailing information and I'll get the butt plate in the mail. DD ******* To find things Martini go to:Martini Internet Resource List**
BillOregon		#10	[-]
Sergeant Major Posts: 293 (11/26/08 07:11:32) Colour Sergeant Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Gary: This is a perfect example of why I call Douglas the "saintly Double D."
Gary D		#11	[-]
Corporal Posts: 8 (11/26/08 16:47:30) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	There's no question about it, my Christmas card list just grew.
The Double D		#12	[-]
Veteran of the Regiment Posts: 4424 (11/26/08 17:05:00) Moderator Emeritus Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Well don't get too excited. The butt plate didn't go out yet. I can only find one buttplate screw. I'll look some more and send what I have Friday. I also couldn't find two buttstocks I thought I had...hum got an Idea, be right back...nope no screws there. But did find one of the missing buttsocks and recalled the second one was sent to California for a restoration there. If anyone has a spare Buttstock screw? DD ******* To find things Martini go to:Martini Internet Resource List**
Gary D		#13	[-]
Corporal Posts: 9 (11/26/08 17:46:48) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	How do they compare to SMLE buttstock screws? I have a couple spares of them.
The Double D		#14	[-]
Veteran of the Regiment Posts: 4426 (11/26/08 17:50:07) Moderator Emeritus Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I'm not into the modern Assualt rifles, so I can't tell you how they match up. DD ******* To find things Martini go to:Martini Internet Resource List**
Pinky		#15	[-]
Veteran of the Regiment Posts: 894 (11/26/08 18:41:13) Sergeant Major Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	If the MkI but screw is the same pattern as a MkIV I will tell you tomorrow its a bit late to go rattling the gun cabinet about right now. Pinky It is not a gun. It is not a Weapon. It is not a firearm. It is a single cylinder single stroke internal combustion engine with a free floating piston!
Pinky		#16	[-]
Veteran of the Regiment Posts: 898 (11/28/08 17:08:17) Sergeant Major Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Gary My MkIV butt screws are the same in size and thread but (this is the ironic bit) the MH MKIV butt screw is brass with a steel but plate the SMLE is steel with a brass but plate head size is the same just the top screw on my MH is high up on the curved part where as the SMLE is on the flat the same as the bottom screw. Sorry it took me so long. Pinky It is not a gun. It is not a Weapon. It is not a firearm. It is a single cylinder single stroke internal combustion engine with a free floating piston!
Gary D		#17	[-]
Corporal Posts: 13 (11/28/08 21:32:37) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Thanks for looking.

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My first Martini and my first post

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