Description:

This rifle was issued to John ( Jack ) Towson by the British Army South Africa 1894 or 1895.
It has been in the family ever since.
On a day in 1965, he had the rifle wrapped in burlap or hessian bagging. He said to me “I want you to have this. I know you will look after it. Something should be done with it.
One day you will know what “.
That day has come.

John left Ipswich as young man with not being past grade 12 in school and went to South Africa and joined the British Army who were having problems with the Boers. He rapidly rose from Private to Lieutenant, an officer commission. No small feat for an lightly educated Aussie bush kid to be rewarded by British army in that manner.

Menne’s Scout were an intelligence unit that were of very high importance.
He was seconded to Menne’s Scouts 15/06/1901 and remained with them until all retired 31/12/1901 and the unit disbanded next day 01/01/1902 and he returned to Australia with the Australian contingent.
Menne’s Scouts were made up of a selection of Australian, New Zealand, British and South African troops. All excellent horsemen. Menne's Scouts did much to protect the all-important railway communication between Natal and Pretoria, as well as to keep the Commander-in-Chief informed of the movements and strength of the enemy in the south and south-east of the Transvaal. The special work of the corps was sometimes particularly dangerous
During September 1901 he was leading a platoon of 11 other Scouts following a group of 50 Boers to determine their main camp or headquarters. Without warning they found themselves surrounded by 200+ Boers all intent on finishing them off. With very little other choice, Towson ordered and led his men in a charge at the nearest enemy. He lost two men killed, 4 wounded and was credited with killing or wounding 8 Boers. He then got his men safely back to their camp.
For this action he was awarded the Queen’s South Africa Medal and Clasp. The last of Menne’s Scouts to be so recognized. Only 26 of these medals and clasps were awarded for the entire war.

Obverse and reverse of the medal
This rifle is a Martini–Enfield rifle, were by and large, conversions of the Zulu War era .577/450 Martini–Henry, rechambering the rifle for use with the newly introduced .303 British cartridge.
In 1871, the British adopted the Martini-Henry rifle, a falling-block single-shot breech-loader actuated by a lever under the wrist of the buttstock. The Martini-Henry rifles went through several model variations, and carbines were introduced as well. The Martini-Henry was the standard British service rifle for nearly two decades.
This Martini–Enfield Mk I was a Martini–Henry Mk III re-barrelled to .303 and with a new extractor installed. This 1895 dated Martini-Enfield rifle is a conversion of the Zulu War era .450/577 Martini-Henry re-chambered for use with the .303 British cartridge.
This rifle is unique as it is one of the few first manufactured 1880 as a Mk. 1 with .450/577 barrel, then upgraded to Mk. 111, then in 1895 re-barrelled to .303 and issued to John Townson.
The rifle on display is a rare example of the double conversion variants. This one was further modified especially for the Light Horse Men so it could be easily drawn from a saddle holster and fired, whilst at the gallop on horseback. Thus the barrel length was reduced to 24.8 inches ( 630 mm }. The rear sight is calibrated 200 to 2,000 yards. However, it has a back detent. When the bar slide is moved into the detent, the sighting range is 50 yards for close encounters.

I use it bi annually. Still as accurate as the day it was made. Could shoot a wild dog or pig at 200 yards. It is the best balanced .303 I have ever fired. Little or no kick and can be fired single handed without fear of wrist damage
This has all of the correct markings everywhere as can be seen in the photos.
This is definitely one for the serious Enfield collector & these don’t come along often, especially in this condition.
Please view the photos carefully as they form the main description & override all written information so ask for more if desired.
As with all used guns, we recommend you have this checked by a suitably qualified person prior to shooting.
Call for shipping cost to your dealer.
Much more detail on the life of John ( Jack ) Towson is available upon request.
Asking Price? : -- Make an offer.





John ( Jack ) Towson's Rifle Markings

Left Side :

On the top left side of the breach – Facing arrows and stamps that I cannot read. One looks like crossed keys'. Crown & WR on left side, 2P on the right side.

Breach Centre – Large Crown –
V.R, and what could have been an S –
ENFIELD
1895
Crown with down arrow through it
M.E. 303
1

Left Side Barrel block - Various letters and numbers
MA 1.A
V11 V1
Other arrows and numbers that I cannot decipher accurately

Right Side :

In Butt Wood a round brass plate the size of a 20C piece. It has a screw through it. No stamp.

Upper Butt Wood – 2BN
1.B

Centre Butt A circle with UG enclosed
GOV

Below that Facing Arrows
Serial No 743

Left Centre Breach Large Crown
V.R
ENFIELD
1880
Crown with down arrow through it.
111.
1.

Right Side Barrel Block B P---B
96928
Other strange stamps I cannot decipher

Rear Sight 0 and other stamps I cannot decipher


Under Loading Lever Up Arrow
WD
Crown
11
13
Up Arrow


In Front of Trigger Up Arrow
WD
Crown
82
111

You can contact me, Trevor Schoenfisch at [email protected] or 0741561075

The system made me put a price, however I am open to offers.