well i finally got my martini-francotte 577/450...and what a sweet little gun it is. no import marks, looks like it spent it's life on someone's wall. few dings, no real wear, the barrel's real nice. hasn't been dated or used in military service, so all i've as far as marks is the francotte logo and the 5 digit serial...well, i can rest now knowing the neighborhood's safe from zulu uprisings.

I dont know what that is, but I love to see people get guns they want. Congrats!

Curtis,

Surely you mean a Martini-Henry 577/450 in either model Mark 1 or 2. The francotte was a small action in 297/300 Morris short or long ???

I have several 577/450's from a Mk1 1871 to Mk 2 1886. The latter Mk 3 was converted from Mk1 or 2's converted to 303 British.

Are you going to shoot it ??

Good on ya Curtis, I would love to get my hands on a Martini. All you need now is a pith helmet.

Bakes

Can we have some Pics Curtis (If Possible) ??

I have a .577/450 Mk2. Totally badass. Weighs a ton! I shot a deer at about 60 yards with a cartrigde that looked like it was made with paper and brass and the case had been battered pretty bad. Had four rounds with me when I went to sight in my 6.5x55 at the begining of deer season. I was getting ready to shoot it (my M-H) first and as I finished swabbing the bore and loaded the first round, a deer walked out from the trees into my hunting partners field! I already had a tag to fill, so the deer never took another step, just pitched over on it's side. For under 100 yards, it would be a great round. Excellent destruction and penetration, but it hits so slowly that it doesn't damage any meat.

Miket B,

I have a 1886 M-H that was an officers model. Has impressed on the barrel "Made by C.G. Bonehill Birmingham" and a stamp "SX" (strengthened extractor) which indicated that it was issued for the desert theatre.

I shoot mine with a 500gn .462 projectile and 90gn FFG black. I have bench tested it at 50yds and shot a 10 shot (yes 10) group comprising one ragged hole about 1.25ins.

It is regularly shot in our service rifle match at 100, 200 & 300yds. 100yd series (15 shots in 4 minutes) which is shot 5 standing , 5 kneeling and 5 prone usually groups about 8ins when I do my bit.

That shell you fired sounds like an original? New brass is available here in Australia at $140/20
from Bertram Bullet Co. I believe he exports to Old Western Scrounger in the US.

The 40 shells that I have are headstamped Coors Schutzenfest 1992 and I send the cartridge collectors crazy when I use them at the range.

I love using it but the 62ft/lbs of recoil with a steel butt is a bit hurty over a 30 shot match.

Ok where to begin?

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Surely you mean a Martini-Henry 577/450 in either model Mark 1 or 2. The francotte was a small action in 297/300 Morris short or long ???

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This one's stamped by the francotte company and the bbl on it swallows 45/70 brass whole. on top of that it's military configuration. It's bee unissued like i said so it lacks a date (but also lack importer marks as well; apparently this and it's siblings were brought over in a huge collection from Great Britian in 1946) however based on the size firing pin hole, i'm guessing this was a bp proofed rifle. I've been scouring the internet myself to see what i could drag up about these, but alas, the henry reigns supreme throughout the land. if you want i'll give you the first 2 digits of the serial number maybe you'll have better luck coming up with some info .

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Good on ya Curtis, I would love to get my hands on a Martini. All you need now is a pith helmet.

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Bakes, you and i are on the same page with that one...of course i'd also like a kaiser helmet, just to keep the neighbors guessing

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Can we have some Pics Curtis (If Possible) ??

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right now i haven't got a digital camera and i lack a scanner (plus i'm a little leary of using film, least i get a friendly knock at the door from police spurred on by the developer center). However, i may be able to borrow one from my friend and internet partner next time i see him, and if so, i'll give you guys the "grand tour" so to speak.

Bad Ass Wallace, the ammo I had was given to me when I got the gun. It was owned by my Dads friends father and he can't hunt anymore so he wanted it to go to someone ho would use it. Good to hear there is brass available! Because I shot the other 3 the following day. At 50 yards they went into 2". I'd love to get some of that brass and load it up and try for deer with it, getting within 100 yards is a lot different than drilling them with my 6.5 from 250 yards! It's also really classy and I'd really piss my buddy off by blasting his rimfire silhouettes to smithereens. I'm going to lightly sand and refinish the stock and reblue the metal and hopefully try for a late season deer. I always have the best luck on the last day for some wierd reason!

Fellas,
Pith Helmets (repro)are available right here in Australia from Lawrence Ordnance www.lawranceordnance.com quote from the ad new white pith helmets with adjustable head band $69.00; 24th regiment helmet plate (english made) $85.00; helmet spike and base $37.50

Simon Lawrance is probable the best source for these.

Curtis,
try a search at www.google.com for the origins of your martini. I have used this site many times for background information on the rare and unusual.

Curits,way to go I have a long lever model that was converted to a carbine by some swamp rat here in VA.22"bbl,and one of the shops here that just whent tits up had the reforming dies and loading dies for it so bought them all.its a fun round!!