Peabody’s original design – with an external hammer which had to be cocked by hand – was adopted by Canada, Spain, Romania, Switzerland and several US State Militias. The pivoting breechblock worked by an underlever was patented by Henry Peabody of Boston in 1862. In technical terms the Martini is often called a “falling block” design, but a more accurate description is a “pivoting block” action – leaving the Alexander Henry, the Guedes and the Sharps as examples of true “falling block” rifles. This is a Peabody supplied to the Spanish.
Peabody’s original design with outside hammer. To which Nigel Green as Colour Sergeant Bourne replies “And a bayonet, Sir! With some guts behind it!” In the film, the late Stanley Baker, in the role of Lieutenant Chard, ascribes their survival as “If it’s a miracle, Colour Sergeant, it’s a short chamber Boxer Henry point 45 calibre miracle”. Although containing minor historical inaccuracies, the film remains a stirring spectacle of courage both by the British and their Zulu opponents. Many collectors’ fascination with the Martini began with the defence of Rorke’s Drift depicted in the 1964 film “ Zulu“.
The Martini-Henry rifle is one of the great classic arms of all time, instantly recognisable as a major tool in the building of the British Empire. In the shadow of the mountain: Re-enactors of the 24th form up at Isandlwana.
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