Afghan Tribal Martini Henry

trenchwarfare · 10th March 2015, 04:33 AM

This one, is a little different from your typical Khyber Pass Martini. Barrel is octagon, instead of round. Shows many years use, and abuse. I'm thinking, the spurious British markings, could have been added later on? Love the field repair, and "original" sling. The cleaning rod, and Chinese coin in the stock, are my additions.

David R · 10th March 2015, 04:52 PM

I think this may have ended up in Tribal hands, but looking at the octagonal barrel and the textured upper flat , I think it started life as a Civilian model hunting rifle. The type of sights would be another clue.

Will M · 10th March 2015, 09:35 PM

The markings under the forestock look legit. What calibre is it, .303 or 450?

trenchwarfare · 11th March 2015, 03:18 AM

Bore measures 1/2", so around .50 caliber.

Will M · 11th March 2015, 04:30 AM

To know which cartridge it fires, a chamber casting would help and slugging the bore for an accurate bore measurement.
Who used 50 cal ammo at the time this was made? British was .577 and .450

trenchwarfare · 12th March 2015, 04:10 PM

Which caliber it fires, is really a moot point. Got it as a wallhanger, and wouldn't dare shoot it anyway. Any chance of a translation of this script? I know it's pretty hard to see. Oops, I thought I had it rotated.

Will M · 13th March 2015, 03:39 PM

The calibre can tell you who the Afghans were associating with to obtain the ammunition. It may be one of several nationalities. The chamber measurement may narrow it down.
The US had a 50 cal for a time, off hand I can't remember the others.
I'm sure a google history could bring up other nations in the area.

I think what you picture is more design than writings.

trenchwarfare · 13th March 2015, 07:50 PM

I'll try, and determine the caliber. The picture is bad, but it is writing.

kahnjar1 · 13th March 2015, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will M

To know which cartridge it fires, a chamber casting would help and slugging the bore for an accurate bore measurement.
Who used 50 cal ammo at the time this was made? British was .577 and .450

Early British cal for these rifles was 577/450 (a necked cartridge), not .577 AND .450.
Later models were in .303 British cal.
A pic of the early foil version of the 577/450 is shown here.
Stu

spiral · 13th March 2015, 11:04 PM

Looks totally 100% Afghan made to me... Apart from the strange addition of a Chinese coin...

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 26th March 2015, 12:48 PM

Salaams all... for a comprehensive Martini Henry grounding please see http://vikingsword.com/vb/showthread...=martini+henry

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

trenchwarfare · 26th March 2015, 03:22 PM

Thanks Ibrahiim, I remember that thread. Would it be possible to get a translation of the script, on the back of the receiver? I can't seem to rotate it properly.

10th March 2015, 04:33 AM	#1
trenchwarfare Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 385	Afghan Tribal Martini Henry This one, is a little different from your typical Khyber Pass Martini. Barrel is octagon, instead of round. Shows many years use, and abuse. I'm thinking, the spurious British markings, could have been added later on? Love the field repair, and "original" sling. The cleaning rod, and Chinese coin in the stock, are my additions. Attached Images

12th March 2015, 04:10 PM	#6
trenchwarfare Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 385	Which caliber it fires, is really a moot point. Got it as a wallhanger, and wouldn't dare shoot it anyway. Any chance of a translation of this script? I know it's pretty hard to see. Oops, I thought I had it rotated. Attached Images

10th March 2015, 04:52 PM	#2
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,079	I think this may have ended up in Tribal hands, but looking at the octagonal barrel and the textured upper flat , I think it started life as a Civilian model hunting rifle. The type of sights would be another clue.

10th March 2015, 09:35 PM	#3
Will M Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: In the wee woods north of Napanee Ontario Posts: 391	The markings under the forestock look legit. What calibre is it, .303 or 450?

11th March 2015, 03:18 AM	#4
trenchwarfare Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 385	Bore measures 1/2", so around .50 caliber.

11th March 2015, 04:30 AM	#5
Will M Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: In the wee woods north of Napanee Ontario Posts: 391	To know which cartridge it fires, a chamber casting would help and slugging the bore for an accurate bore measurement. Who used 50 cal ammo at the time this was made? British was .577 and .450

13th March 2015, 03:39 PM	#7
Will M Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: In the wee woods north of Napanee Ontario Posts: 391	The calibre can tell you who the Afghans were associating with to obtain the ammunition. It may be one of several nationalities. The chamber measurement may narrow it down. The US had a 50 cal for a time, off hand I can't remember the others. I'm sure a google history could bring up other nations in the area. I think what you picture is more design than writings.

13th March 2015, 07:50 PM	#8
trenchwarfare Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 385	I'll try, and determine the caliber. The picture is bad, but it is writing.

13th March 2015, 11:04 PM	#10
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Looks totally 100% Afghan made to me... Apart from the strange addition of a Chinese coin...

26th March 2015, 12:48 PM	#11
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Salaams all... for a comprehensive Martini Henry grounding please see http://vikingsword.com/vb/showthread...=martini+henry Regards, Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

26th March 2015, 03:22 PM	#12
trenchwarfare Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 385	Thanks Ibrahiim, I remember that thread. Would it be possible to get a translation of the script, on the back of the receiver? I can't seem to rotate it properly.