Peabody-Martini Rifle
Providence Tool Company · Rifle · Discontinued · 1874
Also known as: Peabody-Martini-Henry, Peabody-Martini M1874, Martini-Peabody
Overview
The Peabody-Martini was a single-shot falling-block military rifle combining Henry O. Peabody's tilting-block breech with Friedrich von Martini's self-cocking internal striker and Alexander Henry's rifling. Built by the Providence Tool Company, it was supplied in huge numbers to the Ottoman Empire chambered in .45 Turkish, and in .45-70 and .43 Spanish for other users. Robust and quick to operate, it could deliver around twelve aimed rounds per minute.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4082 g (144.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1245 mm (49.02") |
| Barrel Length | 838 mm (32.99") |
| Action Type | Falling Block |
| Firing Mechanism | Internal Hammer |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Muzzle Velocity | 396 m/s (1299 fps) |
| Effective Range | 400 m (437 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 12 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 7 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .45-70 Government · primary — also known as .45-70 Govt, .45-70, .45-70 Springfield, 11.63x53mmR
- .43 Spanish — also known as .433 Spanish, 11.15x58mmR, 11mm Spanish Remington
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Single Shot
- Safety mechanisms: Martini Self Cocking Action
- Features: Martini Falling Block, Self Cocking Internal Striker, Henry Rifling, Bayonet Lug
Variants
- Peabody-Martini-Henry M1874 (Turkish) — Military Contract
Service history
Operators
- Ottoman Empire · adopted 1874 · as Peabody-Martini-Henry M1874
Conflicts
- Russo-Turkish War (1877-1878)
Production
Estimated total produced: 600,000 · Production years: 1874-1879
Over 600,000 produced for the Ottoman contract, the largest single military rifle order of its time
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Henry O. Peabody
Discontinued: 1879
Notes
The Ottoman contract for over 600,000 rifles was the largest single military rifle order of its time. Used heavily in the Russo-Turkish War, notably at the Siege of Plevna.
Background
Providence Tool beat a Birmingham firm for the 1872 Ottoman tender; the rifle was so effective at the Siege of Plevna that Baker Pasha called it 'the very best weapon yet placed in the hands of a soldier on service.'