
The breech-loading single-shot. 458 in Martini-Henry rifle has become a symbol of both the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 & the numerous battles in Egypt & the Sudan in 1884-85 but continued to be used by both British & colonial troops well into the 20th century. Its invention & introduction into British service were in direct response to the success of the Prussian Dreyse needle gun which demonstrated that the breech-loading rifle offered faster loading enhanced accuracy & superior range; significantly the weapon could be loaded & fired from a prone position thus offering the rifleman greater security on the battlefield. Due to the longevity of service many Martini-Henry rifles survive today both in museums & in private collections & the weapon is highly prized by shooting enthusiasts. Featuring specially commissioned full-colour artwork & an array of arresting first-hand accounts & written by an authority on warfare in the Victorian era this engaging study tells the story of the powerful Martini-Henry & its impact on the battlefield from the Anglo-Zulu War to the opening months of World War I.