TOPIC:

Hi Frank,

You could be right but could also be the Martini Enfield as the Martini Metford was not a successful conversion for smokeless ammunition.
All I know is that in my book on the NMR they said the Martini Henry were issued in 1899 and didnt mention Martini Metford, but they could be wrong as oft' happens in books!!!!

regards, Iain

Frank Kelley wrote: Hi Iain,
So that would be a Martini Metford then?
Regards Frank

My but you chaps certainly know your stuff!!! All this tech stuff about the rifle has gone over my head till I can sit and digest it. One point about the bandolieer and being the chap being left handed, wouldn't grabbing a fresh round be difficult if the bandolier's opening was the 'wrong way round'?

Hi Iain,
I was under the impression that the British government/Joseph Chamberlain were not manufacturing smokeless ammunition in 1899, neither black powder or cordite is smokeless, the Boers had nitro powder ammunition for their mauser's though.
I do not understand how it is possible to re-chamber a firearm that has a bore of .450 inch and a chamber of .577, as a Martini Henry does, down to .303 inch.
The other way around, yes, of course, if you had enough metal to work with, moreover, were not bore/calibre converters a 20th century invention?
I have always thought that many of the Natal Volunteers of 1899 carried the Martini Metford, did they not have the "Royston" equipment, a combined bandoleer and carbine bucket? I am sure the Carbineers did.
We must ask Brett!

Regards Frank

iaindh wrote: Hi Frank,

You could be right but could also be the Martini Enfield as the Martini Metford was not a successful conversion for smokeless ammunition.
All I know is that in my book on the NMR they said the Martini Henry were issued in 1899 and didnt mention Martini Metford, but they could be wrong as oft' happens in books!!!!

regards, Iain

Frank Kelley wrote: Hi Iain,
So that would be a Martini Metford then?
Regards Frank

Hi Frank,

you are partly right, in my reference they used the word re chambered but effectively they were rebarrelled!
www.google.co.za/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=martin...IkGUodgQ2S8yNA5cOIPw
Cordite is considered smokeless and was introduced in 1895 but little used in the ABW and yes, the Boers had smokeless ammunition.
I was just being cocky when I mentione the Martini Enfield
I think you're also correct about the Royston equipment, I'll check.
regards, Iain

Frank Kelley wrote: Hi Iain,
I was under the impression that the British government/Joseph Chamberlain were not manufacturing smokeless ammunition in 1899, neither black powder or cordite is smokeless, the Boers had nitro powder ammunition for their mauser's though.
I do not understand how it is possible to re-chamber a firearm that has a bore of .450 inch and a chamber of .577, as a Martini Henry does, down to .303 inch.
The other way around, yes, of course, if you had enough metal to work with, moreover, were not bore/calibre converters a 20th century invention?
I have always thought that many of the Natal Volunteers of 1899 carried the Martini Metford, did they not have the "Royston" equipment, a combined bandoleer and carbine bucket? I am sure the Carbineers did.
We must ask Brett!

Regards Frank

Hi Frank,

just to confirm; from 1896 to 1900, the Natal Mounted rifles OR used the Royston, combined bandolier and rifle sling, thereafter it was replaced by the leather rifle bucket slung to the saddle and separate bandolier.

regards, Iain

Frank Kelley wrote: Hi Iain,

I have always thought that many of the Natal Volunteers of 1899 carried the Martini Metford, did they not have the "Royston" equipment, a combined bandoleer and carbine bucket? I am sure the Carbineers did.
We must ask Brett!

Regards Frank

Hello Iain,
I gather it was rather uncomfortable and not universally popular?
Regards Frank

iaindh wrote: Hi Frank,

just to confirm; from 1896 to 1900, the Natal Mounted rifles OR used the Royston, combined bandolier and rifle sling, thereafter it was replaced by the leather rifle bucket slung to the saddle and separate bandolier.

regards, Iain

Frank Kelley wrote: Hi Iain,

I have always thought that many of the Natal Volunteers of 1899 carried the Martini Metford, did they not have the "Royston" equipment, a combined bandoleer and carbine bucket? I am sure the Carbineers did.
We must ask Brett!

Regards Frank