Martini-Henry

—Adopted by the British government, has a breech-loading apparatus on the Martini system united to a barrel rifled on the system of Henry, a gunmaker of Scotland. Martini, a Swi , derived his system of breech-loading from the Peabody system of the United States by dispensing with the independent outside lock and substituting therefor a spiral-spring firing-bolt or striker, inclosed in the breech-block; the number of grooves is seven; in shape they are flat at the bottom; the lands are narrow, having the appearance of sharp ribs, which are designed to take a firm hold of the bullet. It is understood that these grooves are made somewhat deeper at the breech than at the muzzle. The twist is one turn in 22 inches. There is a bra collar around the head of the ramrod to prevent injury to the bore in wiping out. The weight of the rifle is 8 1 ⁄ 2 pounds; of bayonet 14 1 ⁄ 2 ounces. The weight of rifle with bayonet attached 9 pounds 11 ounces.