Martini-Henry

[ mahr-tee-nee-hen-ree ]

noun

1. a breech-loaded .45 caliber rifle adopted in 1871 as the standard British service weapon, using a center-fire metallic cartridge filled with black powder.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Martini-Henry¹

After Swiss inventor Friedrich von Martini (1833–97), who designed the breech mechanism, and B. T. Henry ( Henry ), who designed the barrel

Example Sentences

As a weapon of precision the Snider is perhaps preferable to the Martini-Henry; but, of course, this is matter of opinion.

From Project Gutenberg

I therefore loaded my Mannlicher, and my bearer did likewise with the Martini-Henry.

From Project Gutenberg

Cartridge-belts were over their left shoulders, and Martini-Henry rifles, carried muzzle foremost, on their right.

From Project Gutenberg

They were armed with the short Martini-Henry carbine, and drilled with equal steadiness to the European troopers.

From Project Gutenberg

But there must have been several hundreds, and a very large portion were armed with Snider and Martini-Henry rifles.

From Project Gutenberg