Translation help, on Afghan- owned Martini-Henry.

Pukka Bundook · 2nd February 2011, 06:19 AM

Jim,
I am afraid at present I am breaking the sticky rule, as I only have photos of the inscription! I had not read your translation sticky until now.....

I will endevour to address the situation and attach overall photos very soon!

I have just recieved a Martini-Henry rifle, that has spent many years in Afghanistan,...after a stint in New Zealand.
It is in need of a fair amount of renovation, and after I had it all pulled apart, I noticed under the rust on the buttplate the inscription shown below.

Please can anyone tell me what language it is written in, and it would be wonderful if Someone knows what it says!!

I hope I have it the correct way up...

Thank you for looking,

Richard.

Pukka Bundook · 2nd February 2011, 06:57 AM

Picture I wanted to post here came out as the wrong ones!
Bewitched or something. Will try again soon...

kahnjar1 · 2nd February 2011, 08:08 AM

I assume that this rifle also bears New Zealand marks? If so could you please post these together with overall pics, and I will see if I can turn up some history of it's life here.
Regards Stuart

Pukka Bundook · 2nd February 2011, 03:01 PM

Good morning Stewart,

Thanks for the interest!

I actually got two rifles from a chap stationed over there, ..picked them up in a bazaar.
I will try and get some photos up today.

To be going on with though, both are NZ marked.
#1,
On knox form, front to back;
Broad arrow,
NZ
94
____ (transverse line)
then 277.
On reciever behind knox form;
SX.

Reciever marked LSA Co
1886,
111 (mk 111)
and '1'...for ist class.

The other one has had the original mk 3 markings scrubbed off, and is now marked, Crown, VR, Enfield,
Mk 11 and 1877.
It Is a mk 3,...but been brilliantly re-marked as a mk 11 !!

The knox form markings have also been de-faced, but the broad arrow, NZ, 94 and a faint number,...392? can just be discerned, plus the SX (sold out of service?) marks on reciever.
A picture is worth a thousand words, so I hope to get some taken today!

Any help will be greatly appreciated!

Inscription chaps!???

Thanks again,

Richard

RDGAC · 2nd February 2011, 07:23 PM

As I recall, "S. X." stands for "Strengthened Extractor", i.e. fitted with the improved Mk. III extractor which improved cartridge extraction under adverse conditions.

Pukka Bundook · 3rd February 2011, 04:24 AM

RDGAC,

I am sure you are right on this, as both have the mk3 ectractor.
I don't know what I was thinking, as I know the opposed arrows are the sold out of service mark!
Thank you!
BTW, I see you are from York, I wasn't too far from you,...near Ormesby...Middlesbrough area.
Alberta now...
More pics tomorrow, took some & left camera in workshop...

Richard.

2nd February 2011, 08:08 AM	#3
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,739	New Zealand you say!! I assume that this rifle also bears New Zealand marks? If so could you please post these together with overall pics, and I will see if I can turn up some history of it's life here. Regards Stuart

2nd February 2011, 06:19 AM	#1
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Translation help, on Afghan- owned Martini-Henry. Jim, I am afraid at present I am breaking the sticky rule, as I only have photos of the inscription! I had not read your translation sticky until now..... I will endevour to address the situation and attach overall photos very soon! I have just recieved a Martini-Henry rifle, that has spent many years in Afghanistan,...after a stint in New Zealand. It is in need of a fair amount of renovation, and after I had it all pulled apart, I noticed under the rust on the buttplate the inscription shown below. Please can anyone tell me what language it is written in, and it would be wonderful if Someone knows what it says!! I hope I have it the correct way up... Thank you for looking, Richard. Attached Images

2nd February 2011, 06:57 AM	#2
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Picture I wanted to post here came out as the wrong ones! Bewitched or something. Will try again soon...

2nd February 2011, 03:01 PM	#4
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Good morning Stewart, Thanks for the interest! I actually got two rifles from a chap stationed over there, ..picked them up in a bazaar. I will try and get some photos up today. To be going on with though, both are NZ marked. #1, On knox form, front to back; Broad arrow, NZ 94 ____ (transverse line) then 277. On reciever behind knox form; SX. Reciever marked LSA Co 1886, 111 (mk 111) and '1'...for ist class. The other one has had the original mk 3 markings scrubbed off, and is now marked, Crown, VR, Enfield, Mk 11 and 1877. It Is a mk 3,...but been brilliantly re-marked as a mk 11 !! The knox form markings have also been de-faced, but the broad arrow, NZ, 94 and a faint number,...392? can just be discerned, plus the SX (sold out of service?) marks on reciever. A picture is worth a thousand words, so I hope to get some taken today! Any help will be greatly appreciated! Inscription chaps!??? Thanks again, Richard

2nd February 2011, 07:23 PM	#5
RDGAC Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: York, UK Posts: 167	As I recall, "S. X." stands for "Strengthened Extractor", i.e. fitted with the improved Mk. III extractor which improved cartridge extraction under adverse conditions.

3rd February 2011, 04:24 AM	#6
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	RDGAC, I am sure you are right on this, as both have the mk3 ectractor. I don't know what I was thinking, as I know the opposed arrows are the sold out of service mark! Thank you! BTW, I see you are from York, I wasn't too far from you,...near Ormesby...Middlesbrough area. Alberta now... More pics tomorrow, took some & left camera in workshop... Richard.