Martini-Henry

American  

[mahr-tee-nee-hen-ree] / mɑrˈti niˈhɛn ri /

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.

---

Etymology

Origin of Martini-Henry

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

Example Sentences

A modification by a Swiss designer, Friedrich von Martini, made his Martini-Henry rifle faster and easier to reload, pushing the rate of fire up to eight to 10 shots per minute.

From Slate • Oct. 24, 2019

When Britain adopted the Martini-Henry in 1871, Anthony seized the opportunity to market his similar product to the other great European powers.

From Slate • Oct. 24, 2019

You might have heard that the first martini is named after Martini & Rossi vermouth or the Martini-Henry rifle or that it was mixed by a New York bartender named Martini di Arma di Taggia.

From Slate • Mar. 14, 2013

The bubble-wrap held two Lee-Enfields and a Martini-Henry, vintage rifles from older Afghan wars.

From Newsweek

I saw pneumothorax three times out of about half a dozen Martini-Henry wounds, but I do not think it occurred as often in 100 small-calibre wounds.

From Surgical Experiences in South Africa, 1899-1900 Being Mainly a Clinical Study of the Nature and Effects of Injuries Produced by Bullets of Small Calibre by Makins, George Henry