The battalion continued to do its annual training and target practice, being issued with the Martini–Henry rifle in 1882. Like many Militia battalions, the 4th Devons volunteered for garrison service during the Anglo-Egyptian War of 1882, but none were embodied. The Regular Reserves were called up when an international crisis arose in 1885 over the Panjdeh incident while much of the Regular Army was simultaneously engaged on the Nile Expedition; the acting CO offered the 4th Battalion for garrison duty, but this was politely declined. The Devonshire Militia battalions were further reduced in 1890, to an establishment of six companies.