A Brief Look at My 1887 Martini-Henry Rifles - Part One

        The Martini-Henry rifle was the front line, standard issue infantry firearm - inclusive of all variants and marks - of the British Army from about 1874 until somewhere around the turn of the century.  I am still reading up on the history of this quite remarkable rifle, so I shall not pretend to know an awful lot about it. (There are some links at the bottom of this post to the Martini-Henry website if you want to read more about this firearm.)  However, I do know that it was the first service rifle for the British Army to feature a cartridge style breech block loading system - as opposed to muzzle loading rifles. The cartridge was slipped in the rear of the barrel directly into the firing chamber, rather than being dropped and rammed down from the top of the barrel. It uses a lever under the butt stock, behind the trigger assembly to access the chamber and cock the firing mechanism. 

        I own two of these rifles. These particular examples were made in England at the Enfield factory for the British Army.  The beginning of the service use of this rifle occurred during the South African conflicts between the Zulus, Boers and the British. One rifle that I own is an early variant: a Mark I Pattern 3. It is marked 1887, but I believe the build date is actually earlier.  My other one is a Mk. IV Pat. B type and could be argued is one of the most reliable and effective out of the many variants. This one was surely manufactured in 1887. It is the one I am firing in the videos. That being said, here is a video of me firing my Mk. IV Martini-Henry:

And here are some pictures of both rifles:

The one with the white sling is restored, whilst the other isn't.

Photographs of both my Martini rifles together.

Restored Mk. IV Pat. B         Un-restored Mk. I Pat. 3

On the left, a restored butt stock; on the right, the un-restored example.

        And here is one more video - despite the audible nearness of the freight-train locomotive, I was quite far away, and at a legal distance, from any property other than that on which I had legal permission to shoot. I plan on doing another post outlining a little bit of the personal history of my rifles, how I restored the Mk. IV, and how I manufacture historic ammunition to shoot.

Links to histories of my particular examples of Martini-Henry rifles:

http://www.martinihenry.org/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=52

http://www.martinihenry.org/index.php?route=product/product&path=61_59&product_id=97

http://www.martinihenry.org/index.php?route=product/product&path=61_59&product_id=56

A Genuine Concern and a Caution

        The text below was first formulated by someone on Twitter of whom I have no knowledge. On Instagram I found a blurry screenshot of their multiple tweets. Thus, I took what was there and edited and added a fair amount to it, in the hope that it might prove useful to Christians at this time.

        It's very concerning how so-called "woke*" Christians believe that "government" is the means to help us end so-called "racism" when that same government legitimizes homosexuality, abortion, and all manner of ungodliness, ironically under the banner of so-called "civil rights" and "equality". Whilst fighting to end racial prejudice** is a noble cause, it's a fruitless effort in this life - by worldly means. In fact, the Lord Jesus said that enmity and strife between peoples and families would arise as a sign of the end times***[Matt. 24:7ff], and also it seems as if "woke" Christians go to sleep on the parts of Scripture that say mankind is fallen, depraved and sinful[Jer. 17:9, et al].

        That is not to say that Christians cannot practice their rights(given by God, through the government He has ordained[Rom. 13:1ff]), as legitimate citizens of their country(That's a complete other post). But one must remember that believers are citizens of an even greater Kingdom, under an ultimate Authority. Why diminish that by only arguing for or against racial prejudice on a horizontal level? So that you show your faith by "works"? Brothers, those "works" that James speaks of are not whatever the world dictates[Jas. 1:22, 25]. We, as Christians, show our faith in God by working according to, and trusting in the Will of God. I could well argue that ending racial prejudice  in this life, by public policy only, is not God's will. Nor will that end by that means be found anywhere in Scripture. Rather, preaching the Gospel and calling men to repentance is His will and the only means for true invisible and real visible change. 

        Christians can march, protest, and make social reforms - or choose not to - as per our liberties in Christ. Yet, while all things are lawful, not all things are beneficial[1 Cor. 10:23-24]. This rioting, anarchy, and violent protesting, is one of those things that is not beneficial. Perchance "noble" in the world's eyes - perhaps. But absolutely futile in the eyes of the God of the Universe. Racial prejudice ought to be condemned. And the Good News - the Gospel - is that such evil was already conquered, once and for all, at the Cross. Whatever you may call it, racial, or rather, ethnic reconciliation already exists in the Kingdom of God and of His Christ. So, love your God and your neighbour by inviting him into the Kingdom, because this earthly kingdom and all its works are perishing.

        "Woke" Christians - particularly those who spend much time on social media, and hearing and thinking what the world spouts nonstop: be very careful that you do not forsake "[H]im who called you in the grace of Christ and turn to a different gospel - not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ."[Galatians 1:6-7]  I myself have been guilty as charged not a few times. But now, from experience, I warn: believe and operate in a false, social justice driven, narcissistic gospel - and nothing will change.  Share this deceitful gospel, and you do immeasurable damage to the Kingdom of Christ and His children. Now, with knowledge, I encourage: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and your neighbour as yourself. What better way is there? Or is there any other?

        "My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonoured the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honourable name by which you were called?

        "If you really fulfil the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. For judgement is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgement." 

 ~ James 2:1-13

May God give us grace to obey Him.

_______________________________________

NOTES:
* "Woke" is most certainly a modern term for "Enlightened". If you know your history, the Enlightenment of the 17th century ought rather to have been called the En-darkenment: when man forsook his maker for his own fallible reason. I pray I don't have to mention how badly that experiment turned out.

** Racial Prejudice: This term better fits with a Biblical view of sin and the fallen human heart than such a misused and umbrella term as "racism" has nowadays become.

*** "End Times" - I argue from the position that the "end times" began when Christ made his first coming, and continue until his second coming and the consummation of all things.