TOPIC:

I see that Cronje's rifles magazine profile does indeed differ from that of the M93, so I aggree with you that it is built on the Dutch action. And I also find your last question to be very interesting, also a topic which would be of value to research. I recently acquired a book , "A Russian on Commando", and when I get to reading it, I will say to what extent this question relates to this foreign volenteers experiences. Thank you.

Back to the C96 Mauser pistol discussed earlier. These often lack their wooden holster, but here is an early holster (for cone hammer) at online auction with Wilson55.
www.wilson55.com/auction/lot/lot-468---m...sd=0&pp=96&pn=1&g=1#

Researching the Staffordshire Imperial Yeomanry, I came across this article in the Norfolk News of 27 January 1900:



Is there any truth in the article? If so, is there any evidence mis-sighted rifles contributed to Black Week?

Yes, this aspect was discussed some time ago, The malady affected the new Lee Enfield rifle, was first reported by the IY and was quickly corrected by newly manufactured backsight sighting bars. The existing Lee Metfords in the hands of troops seemed not to be affected.
Ref. Maj. E.G.B. Reynolds "The Lee Enfield Rifle".
Regards
IL.

For anybody interested in the accuracy of the Lee-Enfield Rifle during the South African War of 1899-1902 the book IL referred to is viewable on line and can be downloaded as a PDF:

stephentaylorhistorian.com/wp-content/up...gb-reynolds-1962.pdf

Chapter IV is entitled "Mostly Conversions, and troubles in South Africa".

I recently acquired a deactivated Martini Henry MK II made by, or at least stamped, Joseph Bourne & Son, Birmingham. The rifle at first would appear to be commercially made, but as one starts to study it, British War Department and Broad arrow stamps start to appear. The small metal nose cap on the end of the stock, the middle barrel band, tumbler, trigger, trigger guard, rear sight ladder and Breech block all carry either Broad Arrows or W/|\D stamps. In contrast to this, the barrel, butt plate, rear stock, fore-stock and the action body are void of British military stamps. The barrel is prominently stamped with "Joseph Bourne & Son, Birmingham", while the receiver only bears faint "Bourne" stamps on the front rim of the receiver which is concealed by the fore stock.

The parts that bare British Military stamps don't seem to be but mere replacements, as they seem to have been refinished to match the commercial quality of the rest of the rifle. The trigger even seems to have been nickled. The trigger guard also most definitely bares a finer finish than would be expected on military components.

The lever has been case-coloured and still reveals its beautiful original colours where it has been preserved under the action. In addition to this, the breech block is polished and in the white, not blued as it would have originally been as a military part, and the rear sight slider is fire-blued.

The rifle bears an interesting rear sight, which is almost reminiscent of "Buck-horn" style hunting sights, with elongated ears, but with a very fine notch. Moving on to the stock, the fore stock would appear to be a standard British military stock while the rear stock is of a much denser, seemingly higher quality chunk of walnut. The rear stock also has a slight bend to the right, which could either mean that it was specially made for a left handed shooter, or that it but merely warped during its 140+ years of existence. Interestingly, the rear stock also appears to have a blood stain. The trigger guard is an earlier MK I component, with brass soldered construction and provisions for the safety catch which was eventually gotten rid of. It also has the wrong front barrel band, currently bearing what I believe is an Enfield musket barrel band.

I believe the rifle could have started out life as a standard British Military MKII rifle, after which it was spruced up through the Army and Navy company by Joseph Bourne & Sons. During its time at Bourne & Sons, it think the military markings displaying the queens crown, mark etc. was ground of and the action refinished. I have tried to do some research on Joseph Bourne & Sons of Birmingham, but all that I have been able to learn is that they exported firearms to British colonies. The rifles they exported generally consisted of break barrel shotguns and rifles. I could only find one example of a sport Martini Henry which they made.

Finally, I ask whether anyone knows more about Joseph Bourne & Sons of Birmingham, and whether this company is referenced in Ron Bester's Small arms of the Anglo-Boer war, as it believed that this rifle has Boer war provenance as a 4-pond Martini sold to a Boer in the years before the war. Unfortunately, the story of this particular rifle is lost to time, but any information on Joseph Bourne & Sons of Birmingham would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you, forgive my mediocre photos
-J.I.W