The Martini–Henry is a breech-loading single-shot lever-actuated rifle that was used by the British Army for thrity years. It was the rifle that was used at the defence of Rorke's Drift in South Africa in 1879. It also saw service in India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and elsewhere in the British Empire. Many are still in use. In the 21st Century, United States Marines recovered at least three from various Taliban weapons caches.Designed in 1870 this powerful rifle was made by various manufacturers from 1871 to 1889. About 500000 to 1000000 were produced. The uncertained over the numbers stems from the fact that many excellent copies were made, especially in India and neighbouring countries.Its 0.452-inch lead bullet (model included) was round-nosed with a tapered head with a total length of about 80mm. The soft hollow-based lead bullet was wrapped in a paper patch giving a wider diameter of .460 to .469-inch. The cartridge case was ejected to the rear when the lever was operated.Later variants used 0.303 inch bullets and the 0.45 bullets are no longer manufactured. A good rifleman can maintain a rate of fire of 12 to 14 rounds per minute.The rifle was 1245mm long, the steel barrel 840mm. Rifling produced a heptagonal barrel with seven grooves with one turn in 560mm.The weapon weighed 3.83 kg. The standard bayonet (not included) was a socket-type spike, Pattern 1876 overall length 635mm, referred to as the lunger.