What doe's he mean by Original Martini Henry rolled brass with inspection hole
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Zulu-War-Brass-Bandolier-Filler-Martini-Henry-/320618427560?pt=UK_Collectables_Militaria_LE&hash=item4aa658f4a8

24th. I think only Neil would know this....???

The inspection hole allowed the "quality control" manager of the arsenal to inspect the secondary strengthening liner had ben put in the boxer cartridge. This will take the form of a small oval or rhomboid porthole in the case wall. Unless it was a commercially made round, such as the Eley Pattern K, of 1888 which did not.


Had to laugh at the description


a) Its a novel way of getting by the ebay it's bullet gestapo
b) Its a turn of the century Kirkee Arsenal Mk3 round (K with arrow, just above the base)
c) whilst not quite 1879 it is the correct pattern boxer round

"This is a genuine original brass bore viewer issued to the military for the first breech loading rifles like the Martini Henry and the Long Lee rifles. It was used with the Short Magazine Lee Enfield, Lewis and Vickers guns. This particular example is marked EFD and the case which protects the mirror housing has a partial Broad Arrow stamp (showing the War Department ownership). This is illustrated in Ian Skennertons book on the Martini Henry as being first used with their rifles. The glass and body are both intact and in VG + to excellent condition on this example, the photo is of the actual article being sold."

Littlehand

This is a later pattern Viewer, introduced in 1893, the EFD marks are post 1897.
This pattern was designed for the inspection on .45" Machine Guns, and "Martini Henry Rifles in Naval Service", land service used a small polished plate, in the shape of the breech block to reflect light. In the Mk1 service rifle from 11-1874 until 8-1877, the block on the Martini was polished bright, to do exactly the same job. The men complained it was a job to keep corrosion free, so, under LOC the were "Browned", or Blued.

This is a .303" calibre, although drawings exist of an earlier pattern in .45", but this does not have the folding handle so incorrect for anything but .303" and late service .45 weapons.

Hi Neil .
Thank you for sharing your knowledge on the forum . I am sure we are all thankful you take the time to sort out
these postings for us . It is truly appreciated . .
cheers 90th.