The Martini Henry RIC Carbine in The Constabulary Rifle and other firearms Forum

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The Martini Henry RIC Carbine

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Peter Mc RIC	The Martini Henry RIC Carbine		Lead	[-]
Posts: 1640 Dec 29 10 10:54 PM Inspector-General	Tags : None A Martini Henry Mark II carbine of .45/577 calibre, with Royal Irish Constabulary markings (R.I.C. 2457). These were shortened versions of the Martini Henry rifle, now sporting 21 inch barrels. Action stamped with the Enfield VR cipher and dated 1885. This model with an original wide black leather sling. The Martini Henry was introduced to the RIC around June 1899, with the final batch being issued to the Belfast police in June 1900. It replaced the Snider carbine, of which 12,000 were recalled. As part of the cost saving practices for which the Irish authorities were renowned, the bayonets previously used with the Snider rifles were also recalled, shipped to England to be rebushed, then finally re-fitted to the Martinis and re-numbered at the Constabulary Armoury. The Martini Henry saw only a limited period of service with the RIC, being replaced by the Lee-Enfield carbine from 1904. RIC Musketry Instructors at Depot, circa 1902-04. Peter Mc
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Peter Mc RIC	A skeletonised Martini Henry from the RIC Armoury	#1	[url]	[-]
Posts: 1640 Dec 29 10 10:55 PM Inspector-General	This skeletonised or 'cutaway' example of a Martini Henry was used for demonstration and training purposes by the RIC Armoury staff. This carbine is marked to the RIC (butt disk number 9673) and is most probably the original model from the Armoury itself. Details of the action - opened to eject a cartridge Details of the action - in closed (default) position. The breech, showing the large and contoured receptacle for accommodating the MH Boxer cartridge. Peter Mc
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Peter Mc RIC	Statistics	#2	[url]	[-]
Posts: 1640 Feb 19 11 10:21 PM Inspector-General	On the 17th April 1899 the Under Secretary of State for Ireland wrote to the Inspector General RIC requesting details of the breakdown of costs for the issuance of the Martini Henry's, and the number of Sniders that would be made surplus. The I.G. wrote back to say that 11,000 carbines were requested, and that 14,968 Snider carbines would effectively become surplus to requirements. See below: Peter Mc Edited 1 time by Peter Mc RIC Feb 19 11 10:35 PM.
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Peter Mc RIC	Another RIC Martini Henry	#3	[url]	[-]
Posts: 1640 Mar 10 11 7:32 PM Inspector-General	Herb Rogers has provided the following information on his own M-H carbine - Martini Henry Cavalry Carbine .450 M-H by L.S.A., a conversion from a Martini Henry Rifle Mark 11. The butt roundel is stamped RIC for Royal Irish Constabulary. On the bottom flat of the Nocks form is the conversion date / 88 for 1888. This carbine is interesting being converted from a Mark 11 Rifle and showing RIC Issue plus the regimental number 2440 and complete with the clearing rod plus rear swivel. The carbine is in very good condition overall mechanically with just a few bumps and scrapes to the woodwork. The left hand side of the nocks form shows an interesting set of proof marks e.g. 577/450 M.H. 2.33” Crown over BP 85 Grs, BLACK POWDER 48 Gr. Bullet. The bottom line has a zero missing and should read 480 Gr BULLET. This weight is interesting when considering the Carbine Cartridge Ammo was specified at 410gr bullet weight. Cheers Herb Rogers Peter Mc Edited 1 time by Peter Mc RIC Mar 14 11 10:34 PM.
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Peter Mc RIC	Martini Henry with 1875 sword bayonet	#4	[url]	[-]
Posts: 1640 Aug 18 11 11:12 PM Inspector-General	An example sent in by a viewer of this forum, rack number 7319, this example fitted with pattern 1875 sword bayonet Peter Mc
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Peter Mc RIC	Arming of the Irish Constabulary	#5	[url]	[-]
Posts: 1640 Feb 24 12 8:04 PM Inspector-General	From Hansard - in response to a question posed by Willie Redmond MP - HC Deb 27 April 1899 vol 70 c694 THE CHIEF SECRETARY TO THE LORD LIEUTENANT OF IRELAND (Mr. GERALD W. BALFOUR,Leeds, Central) It is proposed to supply Martini-Henry carbines to the constabulary in lieu of the Snider carbines with which the force is now armed. The Snider carbines have been in use for nearly 40 years, and many of these weapons have become unfitted for use owing to incrustations of rust and other defects, which render them a source of danger to the men. The Martini-Henry carbine is a modern weapon, and is much less liable to get out of order than the Snider carbine. During the past 10 years the constabulary have been obliged to use their rifles in the discharge of their duties on 14 occasions—namely, twice at evictions, when the police and sheriff's officers were fired at, seven times on the occasion of moonlighting outrages, three times during affrays between water bailiffs and poachers, once during a riot, and once when a land agent and his police escort were fired at. The new carbine will be supplied by the War Department free of charge. Peter Mc Edited 2 times by Peter Mc RIC Feb 24 12 8:10 PM.
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Peter Mc RIC	New Arms for the RIC	#6	[url]	[-]
Posts: 1640 May 26 12 8:42 PM Inspector-General	Irish Times April 8 1899 The Government has decided to re-arm the RIC with a more modern type of rifle than at present used by them. The new rifle will be the Martini Henry somewhat shortened, but it is not the Martini Henry cavalry carbine as supposed by some. It is the old infantry Martini Henry with somewhat shortened barrels. It is a very handsome rifle, easily kept clean, and very valuable in practice. The swords at present in use will all be retained but will require to be bushed so as to fit the muzzle of the new rifle. It is said that the new rifles will probably be issued to some members of the force in the course of about a month or two. Peter Mc
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Devbrady		#7	[url]	[-]
Sergeant Posts: 7 Nov 18 12 8:17 PM	Please see attached some pictures of another RIC carbine. I hope this isn't overkill. This is a Mk II Artillery Carbine. I note above that another contributor has listed his carbine as a Cavalry version which is very interesting. I can’t see the images but the Cavalry Carbine had no fixings for the sword (bayonet). Mine is of the more regular type. For those interested, this began life as a Mk I rifle, made by BSA in 1875. It was converted to Mk II very slightly later (this is why the Roman 'II' is not centralised under the Ordnance Stamp) and finally cut down into an Artillery Carbine much later. The Mk II artillery carbines were all made from surplus rifles and intended to be issued mainly to auxiliary corps. You see lots of them marked up to volunteer artillery outfits across the Empire. The '2' shown on the butt and on the receiver shows it had been degraded to a second class arm; it is not a model designation. The 2 joined broad arrows on the butt and the knoxform are the 'sold out of service' marks denoting that it had been stuck off the government books. This one has been converted to Drill Purpose with the saw cut across the knoxform. Rumour has it that it was retained at Phoenix Park for DP after the rest of the MHs were withdrawn and sold off. It was actually recovered in England but from a source with strong Irish links. The carbine has been knocked about, as you would expect from a drill weapon. The upper screw in the butt plate is not original although, oddly, the butt plate is from the original 1875 rifle. Most of these were stripped off then the Mk I rifles were converted to Mk II. I am not sure about the clearing rod. It is loose in the channel and is probably from another arm.
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Peter Mc RIC		#8	[url]	[-]
Posts: 1640 Nov 19 12 9:56 PM Inspector-General	Very clear photos, thanks DB. Peter Mc
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The Martini Henry RIC Carbine

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