The MK I Martini-Henry: Individual Field Practices c.1883-89

If you would like to support the Channel you can do so through our Patreon Page.
/ britishmuzzleloaders
Britishmuzzleloaders is also on PLAYEUR! Follow us there too!
playeur.com/c/...
And Follow us on FB for updates and projects!
/ britishmuzzleloaders
For your Martini and Snider needs email Martyn at [e-mail]
For your P53 Enfield Rifle-Musket or Short Rifle ammunition needs, Contact Brett at - www.papercartridges.com
And for further reading on all British Victorian (and earlier) arms stop by the British Militaria Forum and say hello. britishmilitari...

[@Tadicuslegion78]

The Time Traveller: Who keeps using my machine to steal British Army uniforms and equipment?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Hahaha!

[@Hiccupone]

Gotta respect this man for his tactful and well worded presentations, and respect for History.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Cheers!

[@christophergervais7452]

I always enjoy the opening vignette with the twins.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Cheers!

[@charlesratcliff2016]

I just love your videos. Not just for the shooting but history.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thank you!

[@charlesratcliff2016]

@@britishmuzzleloaders You are welcome

[@M81_WOODLAND]

The report of that rifle is so satisfying. It just sounds like it means business.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Yes it is! Have a watch of "The Martini at Longer Ranges" for some great sound!

[@aaaaarrrrrggggghhhh]

i love these videos. i check in every now and again and i just think it's nice that someone cares about wars that happened before the first world war. thanks for this

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Cheers!

[@revy1063]

Beautifully done, I would love to see you and Ian (Forgotten weapons) do a Musket brutality xD everyone has to wear the uniforms, and have muskets or early rifles like Martinis and so on.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

It would be epic, yes.

[@michaelcouch66]

48:55 logic of the firing positions. I'm not saying this was the logic behind them, but I can see reasoning behind the choice of firing positions in the Defence practice. Firing from the prone position at long range makes sense as you present a smaller target, but rising to the standing position as the range closes also makes sense - if the enemy manages to close you're into melee, and you don't want to be caught prone when its cold steel time, so getting to your feet before the crucial moment so you can better defend yourself seems a good idea.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

But why would you rise to a standing position when defending a location,... stay small...... The last rush of an enemy notwithstanding....

[@YerluvinunclePete]

Ha ha... I yelled "Huzzah!" at the start of the video. The great tracking camera footage is great! Well spent. That lake range has such amazing rolling rifle sound.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Haha! Cheers!

[@tsufordman]

That was good shooting with bayonet attached.The added weight, point of impact shift, combined with the added challenge of those field conditions, makes that a challenging task.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Indeed!

[@chieftain89]

Imagine the confusion of a hiker in (I assume the Canadian wilderness) stumbling upon someone doing 1800’s field practices in full gear.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

It's never happened.... 😀

[@Irishpewtuber]

I'm truly shocked this channel hasn't shattered to 100k subscriber mark long ago. The effort and research that go into each presentation is exceptional. To think of other channels that do nought but sit at their computers reacting to dumb videos and have 100's of thousands of subs. It's mind blowing

[@yt.602]

No kidding, the level of detail, superb kit and the clear explanation in an interesting way of what could easily be dry and dull is a real achievement.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

That is very kind... The content and the algorithm are a combination that is proving to be hard to overcome... Spread the word! Cheers!

[@johncashwell1024]

Excellent video! I love this history. It amazes me that the practice of "Volley Fire, as a group"(I am confident that this was not the correct term; what I mean is: 1 rank is kneeling and the second rank is standing and they start off firing together) lasted so far into the era of the self-contained cartridge.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

It did indeed.... and well into the small bore era!

[@mintotook]

The jovial cold intros are why I like your videos. Thank you.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Most welcome!

[@mryan3123]

Great video, as usual. 🙂 One thing that I never understood was the military mindset of making things harder. Specifically, that troops were not able to use the rifle sling as a shooting aid.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Slings don't get used much at any period in history,....

[@RCAFpolarexpress]

Good day Sir, Again you did an OUTSTANDING INFORMATIVE VIDEO and Your Marksman Skill with that rifle is Truly OUTSTANDING 🧐👍 Have a very nice week Sir Cheers 🍻🍻

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

That is very kind. Thank you.

[@kaynebartholomew2994]

This is basically what a training video would look like in the Victorian Era if they had training films like in WWII (love your WWII shooting vids by the way, inspired me to begin doing the same historical shooting type videos, but with the US M1903 and M1 rifles). But it's great to see you in red with the M-H again! Always enjoyable

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Cheers!

[@orionelenbaas7947]

This guy is awesome. all the military uniforms and weapons you are preserving history man

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Cheers!

[@baronoflivonia.3512]

The Martini-Henry rifle is a iconic symbol of Great Britain in Victoria's time. Kipling wrote about the Martini-Henry into quite a few of the Indian Tale's. I believe the period in which this Beautiful work of mechanical engineering, was the Zenith of the greatest Anglo-Saxon heights, defined the Empire. It is true the Royal Navy projected power, but the Martini-Henri enforced the Power of the Greatest Empire since Caesar & Augustus. Wonderful video, makes me want a Martini-Henry in .577/450 with British proof marks. I have a Gahendra, but it is a wreck.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Certainly one of the icons of Empire...

[@josephsawicki9335]

I Love your shows, I am everything with History and Adventure and you never fail to provide Both, It is incredible how you manage to do everyhing and in such a manner that keeps me riveted to the scene Thank you and like i have been saying all along this show should be televised for all to see what the real history of how it was in the days gone buy, but thanks to you not forgotten.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

That is very kind. Thank you.

[@r2crowseye]

The new target sounds amazing! I really like the rig you've figured out.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Oh, its great!

[@ernestcline2868]

My own thought while watching was that the change of positions during the defence drill was intended not to simulate expected firing positions but to make the shots of roughly equal difficulty at different ranges.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Perhaps!

[@M21Karl]

Outstanding educational video as usual. We greatly appreciate all the time and effort you put into each and every video.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thank you!

[@asphaltmemories4597]

As always, supremely informative. Thank you for the presentation.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Most welcome!

[@earlshaner4441]

Good evening from Syracuse NY USA brother and everyone else thank you for your history live videos

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Very kind!

[@earlshaner4441]

I enjoy your sense of humor

[@TimHudd-o4q]

I really enjoy watching this gentleman. I like the fact he covers historical facts.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thank you!

[@joeowensby3997]

Always a great day to see you upload Rob! Thanks you!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Cheers!

[@erikd2628]

Love the content as always Rob. I describe your channel as less YT vids and more proper living history documentaries. Also watching rounds sail into the target on the head and shoulders practice was super satisfying.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Wasn't it? When the light is just right......

[@helwrecht1637]

It’s so impressive what you do

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thank you!

[@KVW22]

Thank you for making these videos. They're very much appreciated

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Most welcome!

[@trevorpowell4626]

Another great video Rob you always put in a lot of hard work, great to see the twins again! 😄

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thank you kindly.

[@freddieellis8449]

I’m a simple man, I see a new video from BML and I click on it!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thank you!

[@yt.602]

Epic kit turnout as always and a great explanation of the practices. Informative as well as entertaining while demonstrating the history to a high standard. The pictures, graphics and manual extracts really help to set the scene too.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@JeffreyCotle]

Hi from Pennsylvania buddy Jeff. Im an army veteran and ill say i was scared to death on #1 day of boot camp. Awsome video God bless . Your awesome. 😊😊

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Cheers.

[@mikecroezen]

Amazing work on the video. The historical accuracy of the uniforms, rifles, shooting and overall information. Well done Sir! Well Done! Thank you for ensuring this information is captured and never forgotten.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Very kind.

[@JeffreyCotle]

The round sounds very powerful for its day. You could hunt anything in north America with it. What an awsome rifle. God bless. Awsome channel. 😊

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

I'd imagine so, yes...

[@waynemcauliffe-fv5yf]

Cheers again mate

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Most welcome!

[@kearnsey64]

OUTSTANDING!! I love this channel!❤❤❤

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@SafetyProMalta]

As usual, great stuff Rob!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thank you!

[@johnathandavis3693]

When he takes a shot close and towards the camera (19:22), you get a real sense of the muzzle blast and power of that weapon. I would hate to be on the receiving end of that -WOW. The old joke is that if he missed you, the powder burns would kill you...

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

It's a big boom, yes!

[@pollock_madlad]

I like this channel so much, you really have both talent and interest in this.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Very kind. Thank you.

[@frederikproteau3731]

The quantity and quality of work behind videos of this kind is outstanding. Bravo mon chère.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thank you very much!

[@niclbicl]

Just wonderful videos. Greetings from Austria!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Hello! Glad you are enjoying things!

[@vincetytler6175]

Outstanding presentation

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thank you!

[@earlshaner4441]

Outstanding video

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thanks!

[@earlshaner4441]

You are welcome my friend

[@Afro408]

Great history lesson again Rob. 😄👍👏👏👏👏👏As regards your shooting and point of impact on target. Your rifles front sight is probably rounded and shiny, so you will naturally shoot away from the light. Meaning, if the sun is on your right side, your shots will tend to group left and vice-versa. Your eye naturally centres on the brightest spot of the front sight. This is why good target iron sights are flat faced and blackened, or shrouded, to cut reflection. A lesson I learned when I shot service rifle many moons ago.😁

[@johncashwell1024]

My problem was the opposite. Since I shot my US M-1903 Springfield, US M-1 Garand and US M-16A1 in competition, (1st in Military School and later the M-16A2 & A3 in the Army), I was always looking at the darkest part of the front sight. That is, I always imagined the black silhouette of a lollipop with a thick stick, so I would sort of transpose that imagine in mind onto my front sight & target.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

The sight was blackened.... 😀

[@Afro408]

@@britishmuzzleloaders Well, bang goes my theory. 😏😉 You’ll just have to practice more! 🤣👏👏👍

[@dannywlm63]

Thanks

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

You are welcome!

[@mrmeowmeow710]

Another great gem of a video👍👍

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Cheers!

[@sherwoodforester4666]

Another extraordinary effort, well presented and of huge benefit to the historical shooting community, thankyou!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thank you kindly.

[@shellcshells2902]

#RobMerch!!! 😊😊😊😊 You need merch my good man 😊

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Oh man…. I have so little time as it is… but I wish…

[@eviltigeruk9754]

Always loved your content, absolute best firearms history channel in my opinion always so in depth and well excecuted. Nothing else like it 👍

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

That is very kind of you to say!

[@nothsa1107]

Another fantastic video.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thank you!

[@AbananaPEEl]

wowowowo that camera robot is neat as hell!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

It is a bit of a production to set up, but yes!

[@Old_8_gauge]

Awesome video, as always & love the kit!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Glad you enjoyed it?

[@PLAYINGAROUND]

Excellent!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thanks!

[@Bosniarat24]

Love it! Thanks for the information!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Most welcome!

[@Dav1Gv]

Interesting. Thanks for using the picture of the Battle of Maiwand showing the 66th Foot (2nd Bn Royal Berkshire Regiment). The little dog, Bobby, survived and returned to Brock Barracks, Reading the regiment's depot. Sadly he was run over by a cart and was displayed, stuffed in Reading Museum years ago.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Indeed!

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

perhaps the odd positions that you speak of towards the end was for firing in ranks in the defense like we see in the movie Zulu at the last stand

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Mmmm,.. in the defence, there would be a greater chance of staying in one position, and the smallest one at that...

[@bigsarge2085]

Always interesting, man!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Cheers!

[@zachv1942]

It goes to show on the capabilities of the Issued Rifle and How they Shaped Fire and Maneuver. And how they would be used in the field.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Part of the building blocks, yes.

[@99IronDuke]

Good stuff.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Cheers!

[@thomaslloyd5895]

Hey Rob. I was fortunate to purchase a superb condition 1873 Mark I Second Pattern last month. I know you’re already aware that your rear sight has had a deeper v notched but I also noticed that your butt sling swivel doesn’t have the same arrangement as mine 🤔

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Lots of things happen to rifles over their lifespan.....

[@TakahashiRyosuke13137]

I'd love to have one of these rifles to hang in my wall as a relic.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Great addition to any mantle.

[@andyedwards9222]

My assumption for the defensive shooting drill is starting prone at long range and gradually assuming a higher firing position as the enemy closes would be because you don't want to be caught in a prone (defensive posture) when there is serious risk of close contact. I'd want to be standing to receive a charge.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

That’s one explanation for sure!

[@dougdukes1039]

Love the Ross Twins..... and the history. Many Thanks. BTW, one of the paintings you showed had the troops wear red plaid pants. What were those and where are yours?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

They were the 72nd Highlanders. They wore trews of “Prince Charles Edward Stuart” tartan.

[@AdventuresofaManiac]

MacKenzie has been in the cook house essentially for several years now.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Indeed!

[@requited2568]

I really want someone to make a .458 SOCOM Martini Henry, or .50. Bayonet mandatory. Edit: holy cow, did not know Damko made a modern version. No idea of quality, may have to find out.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

To each their own....

[@sski]

Great video! Again! LoL! That rifle has a very distinctive 'tone' to it. It really shows up in shots from a short distance away. That said, I noticed a definite difference in the sound of the 2nd and 4th rounds that dropped left off that 265yd shoot. They didn't have the snap and hustle like the 1st and 3rd round did. And are you getting bullet deflection from the bayonet as well when that's applied? All those gases bouncing off it and leaving deposits have to go somewhere. And I'm sure it's right back to bully that bullet. Maybe? You're the man with the rifle. I'll leave you to it.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Keep in mind that the conditions of wind and what not carry considerably in the field.... By the time the gases hit the bayonet, the bullet is long gone...

[@sski]

@@britishmuzzleloaders Indeed! Just a thought. Wasn't sure if the velocity was low enough for the bayonet to affect the round in that way. Thank you for clarifying. I really enjoyed the video!

[@wagon9082]

Good video

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

THanks!

[@TheAbleBodiedSoldier]

Hey! I just recently bought a ww2 British uniform! Now I just need the weapon!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Nice!

[@warhawk4494]

Absolutely love these videos. I need to see if there is a American version. Lol have a good week and keep your powder dry.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Americanmuzzleloaders.... 😎

[@papercartridges6705]

Poor MacKenzie, still in the cookhouse.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Where else would he be?

[@Dusk3e]

being active duty military for the last ten years, i know the "conversation" at the beginning of the video had to of happened at least once.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Hahaha!

[@johnfisk811]

Bravo, as ever, Rob. Was the point of aim, in the fixed sight shooting, adjusted by you moving the point of aim as the distance varied or by the use of fine, middle and full sighting of the front sight?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

I kept the same POA.

[@johnfisk811]

Thank ‘ee kindly young sir.@@britishmuzzleloaders

[@samkelleher1731]

Learning a lot from your videos. I've just bought a Martini-Henry Mk IV. Have to decide between bullet moulds for paper patching or grooves for lubricant instead. Do you have any thoughts on this? The rifle is in reasonably good condition, great bore on it. Unfortunately, the lever falls open easily and has a fair amount of play in it, it's just not sitting in the cup properly. I've read information on hammering the lever to adjust it but I'm not sure that'll have the desired effect as even if it seated nicely in the cup, it does seem loose where it hinges.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

If you are interested, there are videos on both types of bullets on the Channel that discuss some the aspects. As for the lever, maybe it has been bent at some point…

[@hristomirslavchev9151]

Hello great video, what was the standard organization of british infantry company/battalion in the period?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

If you look in Part Two of the South Africa series there are explanations for those things. Cheers.

[@stevenedington6265]

More of a question than a comment. Your sporran is a good two below your kilt. According to my Pipe Major the horse hair sporran should not extend past the bottom of the kilt. What is your view on this?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Google, "Highlanders 1880" and see what you get... 😀

[@CachingCadre]

In regards to the rapid firing, did the British use the trick of having additional rounds held between fingers to speed up loading and firing rather than digging in the pouch for each round?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

No,.... not at all.....

[@mikethomas5510]

Clang 😍

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Yup!

[@davecompton5847]

summer cotton fatigue roundabout McKenzie's mate?;-D

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Yes.

[@leechapman7848]

dont drop those brass in the grass , they be like gold nuggets, love the drone footage

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

What makes you think I left them there....?

[@leechapman7848]

@@britishmuzzleloaders Saw you walk away from 1st shoot without collecting, oh the power of editing.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

@@leechapman7848 They get left till the end,... then picked up after... just like a real range... 😀

[@leechapman7848]

@@britishmuzzleloaders Millionaire becomes to the 1st to invent brass magnet

[@ditzydoo4378]

a Mackenzie want to be, soon to be in the cookery! >~< I am amused... ^~^

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Hahaha!

[@Rkolb2798]

Someone had a big bucket of stinky water with MH Brass in it 😊

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Hahaha! Straight into the wet tumbler...

[@norwegianwiking]

Whats the velocity on those at 200 yards, cause you can see them coming in at the H&S target

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Probably about 1000fps.... and yes you can!

[@Vostok7789]

british muzzleloaders look inside breech loaders

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Yeah.

[@NomadShadow1]

28:00 pointy head target …. pickelhaube? 🤔

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Mmmmmm,... never thought of that, but I'd say given the general geometric shape, no....

[@AbbieOates]

Aye, poor Mackenzie. Peels a bonnie potato, that he does.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

That he does.

[@louiscifer5438]

Your twin brother is also nice...

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thank you 😊

[@littlebiscuits]

Please tell me you are able to find and recover all that brass.....heh...

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

yes.

[@chpet1655]

Potatoes are waiting boys they won’t peel themselves you know !

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Yes that's right!

[@coastie1961]

Sorry Sergeant........

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Hahaha!

[@mossychops]

XXII

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Cheers.

[@TheRedneckPreppy]

The first Boer War needs its own video? Well then mate, get cracking! :-)

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Haha! Says he after watching a video that was 8 months in production and nearly an hour in length….😀…. Yes,… I’ll get on it eventually.

[@TheRedneckPreppy]

@@britishmuzzleloaders That's a good lad :-)

[@FortuneZer0]

When you realize that eventualy the videos have to be produced abroad because it would be illegal under the regime.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Mmmm,..

[@Military_Outposts]

🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thank you!

[@salty4496]

:)

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

👍

[@johngray3449]

The David Attenborough of quality content, you should narrate some period war books/stories.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Haha! Thank you.

[@hoplophobia7014]

I get so excited when I open KZbin and there is a new video from you

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Cheers!

[@francis400]

He would do everyone a favour if he limited himself to field wiring and don't make me start about bayonet practice!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Hahah!

[@benjaminbenson8714]

Great video as usual Rob. Interested in your comments about the bayonet and accuracy. Do you think this is symptomatic with this rifle or could be a generalisation?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Bayonets do affect things for sure. Each type of rifle will have its own peculiar response. Typically, it changes the MPI rather than making the rifle group bigger, in my experience....

[@benjaminbenson8714]

@@britishmuzzleloaders common sense would say the bigger/heavier the rifle the less the effect would be or does the size and weight of the bayonet tend to echo the size and weight of the firearm?