EN

Martini–Henry

designed by Friedrich von Martini

RiflesUnited KingdomRetired
Martini–Henry
Overall length 1,245 mm
Photo: Armémuseum (The Swedish Army Museum) · Public domain · background removed

Key specs

Caliber
.577/450 Martini–Henry, .303 British, 7.65×53mm Mauser
Muzzle velocity
396 m/s
Effective range
366 m
Maximum range
1,737 m
Weight (empty)
3.63 kg
Length
1,245 mm
Barrel length
844 mm
Manufacturer
Royal Small Arms Factory
Designer
Friedrich von Martini
Designed
1870
Produced
1871–1889
Units produced
500,000

Rifles

36 / 74
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Famous events

  1. Natal, southern Africa

    Battle of Rorke's Drift

    Just over 150 British and colonial soldiers held a mission station against 3,000–4,000 Zulu warriors through the night of 22–23 January, firing Martini–Henry rifles until only 900 of 20,000 reserve rounds were left. Eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded, the most for a single action.

    Sources: Battle of Rorke's Drift (Wikipedia)

  2. Zulu Kingdom (now KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa)

    Battle of Isandlwana

    On the day before Rorke's Drift, the Zulu army overran the camp of the British main column. More than 1,300 British and colonial soldiers armed with Martini–Henry rifles were killed in what has been called the British Army's worst defeat against an indigenous force with far less modern weapons.

    Sources: Battle of Isandlwana (Wikipedia)

Videos

Enjoying Black Powder Episode 3: The Martini-Henry MkIVForgotten Weapons
The Mk I Martini-Henry and the Mk I Lee-Metford: Rate of Fire Comparisonbritishmuzzleloaders

Videos are hosted on YouTube and load from youtube-nocookie.com only when you press play.

Ammunition

.577/450 Martini–HenryRifle · United Kingdom · 1871
.303 BritishRifle · United Kingdom · 1888
7.65×53mm MauserRifle · Belgium · 1889

Compatible gear

No optics or accessories are linked to this weapon yet.

Users & conflicts

Conflicts
World War ISoviet–Afghan WarWar in Afghanistan
Users
Argentina militaryBolivia militaryChile militaryEthiopia militaryGreece militaryOttoman Empire militaryPeru militaryRomania militaryRussian Empire militaryThailand military

Variants

Martini–Henry1871Martini–Enfield1895

Sources

  1. Wikipedia: List of infantry weapons of World War I, Wikipedia
  2. Wikipedia: List of military equipment used by the mujahideen during the Soviet–Afghan War, Wikipedia
  3. Wikipedia: Martini–Henry, Wikipedia