Need pictures of ethnic Martini Henrys ASAP

Atlantia · 18th September 2009, 06:42 PM

Been offered a 'Martini Henry' Its in fairly disgusting condition, and the entire trigger/lever assembly is missing.
It has wirework bindings on the stock and a single silver band on the barrel.
Looks ethnic, I'd guess afghan or Nepalese.
Can anyone show some examples? I'm wondering if the parts are interchangable cos if not its a lot to 'scratch build' the missing bits.

Berkley · 18th September 2009, 08:27 PM

You are probably being offered one of the "battlefield pickup" or "parts" Nepalese models currently on the market. There are two 19th century Nepalese models, the Gehendra and the Francotte. There are also Afghan "Khyber Pass" copies which are still being made today and sold to unsuspecting Allied troops. All of the parts are hand made; they are usually not interchangeable. For more info you should visit the dedicated forums here and here.
Here is my Nepalese Francotte Martini-Henry:

Atlantia · 18th September 2009, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Berkley

You are probably being offered one of the "battlefield pickup" or "parts" Nepalese models currently on the market. There are two 19th century Nepalese models, the Gehendra and the Francotte. There are also Afghan "Khyber Pass" copies which are still being made today and sold to unsuspecting Allied troops. All of the parts are hand made; they are usually not interchangeable. For more info you should visit the dedicated forums here and here.
Here is my Nepalese Francotte Martini-Henry:

Hi Berkley,
I remember when worldwide arms had a container load of this sort of thing, Thanks for the links, I havent found one the same yet though. But its a lot to go through

Stuart (Khanjar) has one like the one I've been offered, like I said, its got decorative wirework on the stock, I actually thought for a second (Doh) that it might be african, but the silver band ruled that out.
Regards
Gene

TVV · 18th September 2009, 11:37 PM

Gene,

I think I know what you have in mind. I suggest looking at this thread for some Martini Henry rifles that have been enhanced in the Arabian peninsula:

http://vikingsword.com/vb/showthread...=riyadh+bazaar

I will look tonight in Elgood for more examples.

Best regards,
Teodor

Berkley · 19th September 2009, 02:06 AM

Tirri shows an example with silver bands and inlay "of Yemeni and Arabian provenance" on page 90.

kahnjar1 · 19th September 2009, 02:47 AM

Hi Gene,
This one from Oman, cal 577/450.
Stu

TVV · 19th September 2009, 06:37 AM

The pictures in Elgood are small and the detail is not great, but here they are, just for reference.

graeme gt · 19th September 2009, 06:26 PM

Similar "Martini"

Atlantia · 19th September 2009, 10:24 PM

Thats the babies!

Gonna have another look at the 'fixer upper' that I've been offered and will report back. Can you guys supply any more background on yours? Lovely pieces BTW.

kahnjar1 · 19th September 2009, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by graeme gt

Similar "Martini"

Hi Graeme,
Your header states Wakefield & Co. Is the rifle marked with makers name, and does it have proof marks? Also the side of the action with scroll engraving suggests a "civilian" version. The forewood also appears to have been shortened. This would normally be full length on a military version.
I am somewhat interested to know if it still has proof marks etc, as most of the rifles found in arabian tribal hands were either stolen from armouries, or copied. In my opinion, either way, the marks were not usually present.
What is the caliber?
Regards Stuart

graeme gt · 20th September 2009, 01:26 AM

Kahnjar just back from pub will try to answer you tomorrow .

graeme gt · 20th September 2009, 12:37 PM

Hi guys ,i would call mine a carbine size there are no proof marks .I think the metal work may have been shiped there because the woodwork is "native" the bore is roughly 9mm .Maybe someone could translate script .

kahnjar1 · 21st September 2009, 06:18 AM

Hi Graeme,
A little info: Wakefield and Co are listed in Birmingham UK Gunmakers list. They were at 10 Whittall Street between 1897 and 1900. No other info is listed. The 9mm approx cal is likely .450 so I would expect that the cal is actually 577/450. Is you can get hold of an old catridge in this cal, try it in the chamber, BUT DON'T FORCE IT, and DON'T FIRE IT> Simply to check the calibre if you feel the need.

Stu

18th September 2009, 06:42 PM	#1
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Need pictures of ethnic Martini Henrys ASAP Been offered a 'Martini Henry' Its in fairly disgusting condition, and the entire trigger/lever assembly is missing. It has wirework bindings on the stock and a single silver band on the barrel. Looks ethnic, I'd guess afghan or Nepalese. Can anyone show some examples? I'm wondering if the parts are interchangable cos if not its a lot to 'scratch build' the missing bits.

19th September 2009, 02:47 AM	#6
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,741	Here's the one you mention Hi Gene, This one from Oman, cal 577/450. Stu Attached Images

19th September 2009, 06:37 AM	#7
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,625	The pictures in Elgood are small and the detail is not great, but here they are, just for reference. Attached Images

19th September 2009, 06:26 PM	#8
graeme gt Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 97	wakefield & co Similar "Martini" Attached Images

20th September 2009, 12:37 PM	#12
graeme gt Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 97	Hi guys ,i would call mine a carbine size there are no proof marks .I think the metal work may have been shiped there because the woodwork is "native" the bore is roughly 9mm .Maybe someone could translate script . Attached Images

18th September 2009, 08:27 PM	#2
Berkley Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Austin, Texas USA Posts: 257	You are probably being offered one of the "battlefield pickup" or "parts" Nepalese models currently on the market. There are two 19th century Nepalese models, the Gehendra and the Francotte. There are also Afghan "Khyber Pass" copies which are still being made today and sold to unsuspecting Allied troops. All of the parts are hand made; they are usually not interchangeable. For more info you should visit the dedicated forums here and here. Here is my Nepalese Francotte Martini-Henry:

18th September 2009, 11:37 PM	#4
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,625	Gene, I think I know what you have in mind. I suggest looking at this thread for some Martini Henry rifles that have been enhanced in the Arabian peninsula: http://vikingsword.com/vb/showthread...=riyadh+bazaar I will look tonight in Elgood for more examples. Best regards, Teodor

19th September 2009, 02:06 AM	#5
Berkley Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Austin, Texas USA Posts: 257	Tirri shows an example with silver bands and inlay "of Yemeni and Arabian provenance" on page 90.

19th September 2009, 10:24 PM	#9
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Thats the babies! Gonna have another look at the 'fixer upper' that I've been offered and will report back. Can you guys supply any more background on yours? Lovely pieces BTW.

20th September 2009, 01:26 AM	#11
graeme gt Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 97	Kahnjar just back from pub will try to answer you tomorrow .

21st September 2009, 06:18 AM	#13
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,741	Hi Graeme, A little info: Wakefield and Co are listed in Birmingham UK Gunmakers list. They were at 10 Whittall Street between 1897 and 1900. No other info is listed. The 9mm approx cal is likely .450 so I would expect that the cal is actually 577/450. Is you can get hold of an old catridge in this cal, try it in the chamber, BUT DON'T FORCE IT, and DON'T FIRE IT> Simply to check the calibre if you feel the need. Stu