Product Details
NATIONAL ARMS & AMMUNITION, BIRMINGHAM
A RARE .577-450 (M/H) SINGLE-SHOT SERVICE-RIFLE, MODEL 'MARTINI-HENRY MKI/II', serial number 313,
part of the Queensland Contract dated 1878, with 32 1/2in. barrel with back-to-back 'R' condemned marks and filled cut, fore-sight, elevating ladder rear-sight, slab-sided receiver with external cocking indicator on the right face marked 'Q /I\ G' (Queensland Government) and 'N A & A Co. Ld' (National Arms & Ammunition Co. Ltd.), left face marked 'MARTINI PATENT PROPRIETORS' walnut butt-stock with 'ENFIELD' roundel and chequered butt-cap (working repair at toe), walnut three-quarter length fore-end, two iron barrel-bands, nose-cap and original iron clearing-rod, 49in. overall, weight approximately 9lbs.
Other Notes: NA&A formed in 1872 and it is known that they were using old parts from their refurbished arms contracts from the War Office to reduce cost when completing their very meagre orders. As NA&A took action against the War Office for failing to pay the Martini patent royalties, the orders the company was expecting from that source for new arms were not forthcoming and it entered voluntary liquidation in 1882. James Robinson's Book Arms in the service of Queensland 1859-1901 details a 05/11/1877 order for 400 MH rifles (short) with sword bayonet, 150 MH carbines (short) with sword bayonet for artillery from N A & A Co. Ltd. No delivery documentation has been found but receipt is confirmed through a report from Brigade Major R. A. Moore that whilst the guns had arrived, no scabbards, slings, muzzle stoppers or spare parts had been delivered.
Estimate £1,200-1,500
Sold as an exempt item under Section 58 (2) of the 1968 Firearms Act, to be held as a curiosity or ornament