AR721            .577/450 Martini-Henry Mkll.
A British military issue Mark ll Martini-Henry rifle. BSA&MC made and dated 1878. This example was made as a pukka Mk ll and not a conversion or upgrade to Mk ll. Although production had commenced in mid-1876, the type as not “approved” until April 1877
 
The Mk ll had a number of improvements over the Mk l, such as improved trigger mechanism, strengthened extractor (also marked S.X. to Knox form, as is the case with this example), improved rear sight (deeper V to rear sight notch) and redesigned clearing rod. The lower sling swivel is in the trigger guard, indicating issue to a line regiment rather than a rifles regiment. Production was at Enfield as well as BSA and LSA. Numerous British military inspection marks. With Hindi (?) script to the butt and NS over NEP on the barrel by the rear sight, this rifle was one of those passed to the Ghurkha state of Nepal in 1894 – one of only 8000, the majority being MklV rifles.
 
The rifle is in very good condition overall, plenty of colour with clean wood. The bore is clear with defined rifling