This lever-actuated, breech-loading firearm, adopted by the British Army in 1871, combined the falling-block action designed by Henry O. Peabody and improved by Friedrich von Martini with a polygonal rifling system developed by Alexander Henry. Chambered for a powerful .45 caliber black powder cartridge, it offered a significant increase in firepower compared to the previous muzzle-loading Snider-Enfield rifle. The weapon saw extensive service throughout the late Victorian era, most notably in the Anglo-Zulu War.
Its adoption marked a pivotal moment in military technology, representing a transition from slow-firing, single-shot weapons to more rapid and effective breech-loaders. The weapon’s range, accuracy, and stopping power provided a considerable advantage on the battlefield, contributing to British military successes in various colonial conflicts. Its robust design and powerful cartridge also influenced subsequent firearm development. This firearm remains an iconic and historically significant weapon, emblematic of British military power during the height of its empire.