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Jag Martini Henry
Jag Martini Henry

Jag Martini Henry

Weapon Specification
Date of Approval Jag Mk1 17th July 1874 Jag Mk2 30th December 1875 Jag MkIII 1882
Weapon Overview

Left  Image

Jag MkI. : Introduced into service with the Mk1 Rifle in 1874, the jag Mk1 had a steel threaded end peice, wihch contained a rotating axis. Onto the brass jag an oily flannelette  rag or “tow” was wrapped. The soldier inserted this into the muzzle and slid the jag up and down the bore, the jag rotated on its axis so the tow would scour through with the twist of the rifling, not across it. 

Middle Image

Jag MkII. : This pattern of jag was adopted on §2886 30th December 1875, the end cap was increased in size and depth, also the edges, which  were found to damage the bore were rounded off.

Right Image

Jag MkIII. The cleaning regime of Martini Henry rifles and carbines remained the same until 1887, when a new pattern of jag the 1887 pattern was adopted. With the experimental .402” rifle being tested from 1882, a new jag was designed and first appears in the RSAF factory drawings for the “Rifle Enfield Martini .40 Bore 1886.” This was a solid steel pattern, purpose designed with softened edges as to prevent “cutting of the bore”. It had two slots in which flannel could be inserted, the resulting muzzle protector did not require a hole, as such it was revised to a solid end cap from the MkIII of 1883. 

During the fighting in the Sudan, the rifles of the men had been eroneously supplied with the early pattern clearing rods, the men had to fit the jag to give sufficient length knock out jammed cartridges.