A look at a Boer War Relic and Family Heirloom from South Africa, a re-barreled Martini-Henry dating from 1873.
They are part of every family. Guns that may not be as special to their original owners but that families treasure and keep close to their hearts. Forever. If only to keep a loved person who has died close to their hearts. You might find a story about their grandfather’s pistol, which he used to shoot a German soldier during World War II. Or maybe it’s about the revolver that he used during Prohibition when they were moonshine-running. It could be about their father’s Model 12 Winchester, which he handled with all the grace and skill of an artist. It could be about the Remington 22 rifle that their uncle taught them to shoot. These guns, along with the stories and family history that made them so special, will be passed on to our children. We expect our children to pass on the story and the gun to their offspring. These guns give you that feeling of a ghostly sensation when you pick them up. You might have the chance to see a gun like that, but it’s rare. By experience, I don’t mean to just look at the gun, but to shoot or hunt with it. Guns with emotion and history tied to someone else’s heart are what I am referring to. Just south of the Limpopo River in South Africa, in 2006, I had the opportunity to handle and hunt with a Martini rifle. They were used in reserve arms in places like India, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom up until 1918. Arms of the Boers
There were two Boer Wars. The Transvaal War was the first. It lasted from 1880 to1881. It was a brief conflict during which Boer settlers rebelled against England’s attempt at annexe the Transvaal. England struck again in 1899 in an attempt to expand their presence in Africa, to include the Dutch Boer Republics in the Transvaal and Orange Free State. Although the gold mines were a part of the reason, Britain also sought to establish a Cape-to-Cairo confederation of British colonies. This would allow England to dominate Africa. It was a bloody and long war that lasted until 1902. It has fascinated me since my first African safari. Boer is the Dutch term for farmer. It was used to refer to the descendants of Afrikaans-speaking, stock-raising farmers who fled British Cape colony to escape English control. The Boers settled the Orange Free State and Transvaal regions, which together were known as the Boer Republic. 22,000 British soldiers were killed during that war. The stock of the old battle rifle has the letter “H” carved into it. The owner was not sure what it meant, but said it had been there since he could recall. Lyon Safaris was owned by Hennie Badenhorst when I was there in 2006. Badenhorst is a veteran of South Africa’s Defense Force and a highly skilled professional hunter. He has over 100 lion, elephant, and buffalo hunts under his belt. As we sat by the fire ring, watching the flames dance, Badenhorst said to me, “I have an old rifle that was found on a battlefield during Boer War.” It turns out Badenhorst was playing in the bush when he came across the unbelievable scene of a battlefield, where he discovered a British soldier. He was a good Boer and picked up the rifle of the soldier and took it home. It was an Enfield, Martini-Henry rifle of the late-model Enfield that was chambered for.303 British cartridge. Badenhorst recalls stories from his grandfather that he had to hide the rifle behind the house whenever British soldiers came by. The rifle had been in Badenhorst’s family since the war. It was a kind of behind-the-door gun. Badenhorst, who had just finished his military service, began his career as an experienced hunter. He used the rifle often to train his blood-trailing dogs. Badenhorst placed a empty bottle of Lager on the rock rim of the fire-ring and asked me, “Would it be okay to shoot it?”. I replied, “Absolutely!” Badenhorst asked, “What shall we shoot?” He removed his fedora, revealing the scars left by an angry leopard on his head. “Tomorrow, we will see many warthogs.” I was thrilled to see the rifle and even more excited to shoot it. We stopped at the range before the hunt and I fired three rounds through it. It shot well considering the crude iron sights. I managed to get a group of approximately 2 inches at 50 meters. The beautiful African morning sun was at our backs as we loaded up the Land Rover and set off. The Martini-Enfield Mk II
During the famous battle of Ruark’s drift in Natal, South Africa in 1879, 150 British troops held off an attack from between 3,000 to 4,000 Zulu warriors. The British used the single-shot Mk2 Martini-Henry rifle that was chambered in the 577/450 Martini-Henry cartridge. However, British forces switched to the Lee-Metford bolt-action rifle that was chambered in the.303 British cartridge. Some Martini rifles could also fire the.303 British. This rifle could have saved the day at Drift. This rifle’s original markings indicate that it was an 1873 Martini-Enfield Mk II. However, it is possible. Original markings on this rifle indicate that it is an 1873 Martini-Enfield Mk II. This rifle was owned by a soldier of Royal Hampshire Regiment. It was a line infantry regiment that merged with the 37th North Hampshire Regiment of Foot, and the 67th South Hampshire Regiment of Foot, in 1881. The regiment was active in the Second Boer War and the First and Second World Wars. Of course, I am not a Martini rifle or British military expert. Even if I were, the cloud of military firearms manufacturing and refitment, combined with the fog from war, means that my conclusions could be wrong. Badenhorst pulled the rifle from the Land Rover’s seat. He then handed it to me in the high rack. Badenhorst stated that we were approaching a spot that is filthy with warthog. Badenhorst said, “If we can find a nice male that is within range, then we’ll stop.” I took the relic, covered it with the triangular front sight and pulled the trigger, which was clearly honed over years of experience. The “whop” sound of the bullet was heard and the warthog thundered across veld. Badenhorst immediately released his huge tracking dog and we were standing right over the warthog. I was also all smiles. It was an honor to hunt with a rifle that has so much history. This rifle had been used by a family for security and food for over a century, although it was undoubtedly fired in anger. It was a rifle that was deeply connected to Africa’s history and that my friend treasured. He had also used it on successful hunts. It’s a rifle that no one should hide from the army/government, at least not for now. This Martini-Henry rifle was found on a Boer battlefield by its great uncle. The owner, who runs a successful safari company and hunts with it occasionally.
It is very likely that, most importantly, there is a special firearm in your family that has a connection with the past. It is important that your descendants know the story behind it. It is important to write down the details and keep the story with the gun. It might be more valuable to someone else one day than it is to you. Download your Storm Tactical printable target pack62 printable MOA targets with DOT drills – Rifle range in YARDSThis amazing target pack comes from Storm Tactical and contains62 printable targets for rifle and handgun range usage. Target grids and bullseye sizes can be downloaded in MOA. Get Free Targets
