Martini-Henry breechloader

firearm

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Last updated

June 30, 2026

Quick Summary

The Martini-Henry was a breech-loading rifle adopted by the British army in 1871. It featured a lever-action mechanism, where pushing down a lever attached to the trigger guard lowered the breechblock, exposing the chamber for reloading. This design allowed for a faster rate of fire compared to earlier muzzle-loading rifles.1

The Martini-Henry utilized a metallic center-fire cartridge, which provided a better seal at the breech and could withstand powerful propellant charges. This was a significant advancement over earlier breech-loading systems that used paper cartridges and were prone to gas leakage. The rifle fired .45-inch caliber ammunition and was a key infantry weapon of its time, representing a major step in firearm technology towards more efficient and reliable breech-loading designs.12

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The bolt action
…the British went to new Martini-Henry breechloaders of .45-inch calibre. In these rifles, pushing down a lever attached to the trigger guard lowered the entire breechblock, exposing the chamber, and raised the breechblock back to firing position when it was pulled back. Russia adopted two new 10-mm breechloaders, the Model…
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…the British went to new Martini-Henry breechloaders of .45-inch calibre. In these rifles, pushing down a lever attached to the trigger guard lowered the entire breechblock, exposing the chamber, and raised the breechblock back to firing position when it was pulled back. Russia adopted two new 10-mm breechloaders, the Model…
Read More