TOPIC:

The bloodstain on the stock

"Finally, I ask whether anyone knows more about Joseph Bourne & Sons of Birmingham"

www.wilson55.com/news/joseph-bourne-rifles/

Their 1912 Catalogue is currently on sale on eBay.

Kaapse Rebel
On a rifle such as you have illustrated, i.e., a retailer marked, commercially made MHR, I would not be surprised to see small components such as barrel bands, nose caps etc with official maker and inspection stamps. Once a service rifle type in those days became obsolete, official holdings of parts would have been sold off to the arms trade. In turn, the trade would be able to complete still useful small arms at a much lower cost than if they made the small work themselves. Much of the Trade's output would have gone to the Colonies.
I have never seen an MHR with a "cast off" stock (i.e., "bent" left or right in the manner of a custom shotgun) . More likely the butt is slightly distorted.
BTW, over the years I have seen and handled quite a number of MHRs in almost new condition which came to the OZ Colonies as late as 1900 to arm their militias. The Mk. IIIs were often beautifully made and finished and almost to a commercial standard.
Regards
IL.

I appreciate the help. I have not yet had the pleasure to handle many Martinis of military origin yet, as most of the rifles I have come across here in South Africa are either sport rifles or commercially made copies of military patterns. On that note, my friend also got his hands on a deactivated commercial Martini Henry cavalry carbine which is void of any markings other than a few British proof marks. I believe it might have Belgian marks hidden on the breech block, but I haven't been able to persuade him to do it yet.

Once again, thank you.

J.I.W