This is a nice example of an early unaltered British Military Martini Henry Rifle in the early Mark I configuration in Caliber .577-450.  These are tough little guns to find on the market as the vast majority of Mark I's were upgraded by the British to the Mark II during the mid-late 1870's.  This one was built in 1873 and survived with all of its original Mark I features intact.  Unlike most Martini's, its never been rebuilt or modified in any way with all the great Mark I features collectors look for in a Martini. This includes the bronze axis pin, large cocking indicator, checkered buttplate, rear sling swivel mounted in stock, wide-V rear sight, and early cleaning rod with shoulders and rounded head.  Even the breech bolts, which were left in the white on Mark I's still retains some of its original brightness.  Right side of the frame is marked with a Crown over "V.R." (Queen Victoria Regina), followed by the mfr "ENFIELD".  Beneath that is the date of manufacture, "1873" over the cypher of a crown with an English Broad Arrow, and the ever-important "I" denoting the rifle's Mark I variation.   The right side of the stock has an excellent Enfield cartouche with early Mark I designation.  There is a number "17" stamped on the left side of the stock and the top of the buttplate. 

Overall condition is NRA Antique Fine with the original finish on the metal mostly darkened to a smooth patina with some original blue still mixed throughout.  Excellent markings and edges.  Very good screws.The wood is in VG+ to Fine condition with some fairly minor dings and scratches.  Overall, wood has not darkened and is still an attractive reddish brown color with some nice striping to the walnut on the forend.  Action works perfectly.  Bore is Excellent with strong rifling and no pitting.  A well above average Martini Henry and easily the best Mark I we've offered to date.

Item# 0823

SOLD