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M-1878 Martini Henry Short Lever Infantry Rifle Untouched

ID#: 600768

Price: $160.00




Quantity: 

Customer Rating: 28 ratings
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In 1878, the Francotte patent Martini System was granted utilizing a detachable mechanism fitted without the Cocking Indicator. Revolutionary at the time by compartmentalizing the mechanism for quick disassembly, it only lasted 10 years as the latest technology. It was replaced in 1888 with the .303 caliber Lee Metford bolt action rifle’s introduction into the British Military System. Although this European improvement was never embraced by the British, these "improved system rifles” saw much service on frontiers all over the World. The Martini Short Lever Rifle saw tremendous and valiant service in the British Army worldwide.  It's most famous appearance was in the Zulu Wars of 1879, memorialized in Hollywood epic movies and countless books and articles over the years.

These particular Martini Infantry Rifles were used by the Gurkha detachments mostly in the Indian Sub Continent and are offered in AS IS condition. Each Rifle is offered totally as found, completely un-cleaned and un-refurbished. The only service performed has been to ensure none are still loaded! Totally covered and caked with dried on grease, dirt and rust, these can be displayed as found or be the subject of winter nights of TLC to restore them to their former glory. All appear to be complete but no guarantees as to what use or damage may be found after more than 100 years of neglect and storage.  There is a $10.00 additional shipping & handling charge with item, cannot be shipped USPS.

Each gun will feature:
The action, lever, trigger, stock (which may show signs of wear like cracks, old repairs, wood rot, etc), barrel, 2 steel barrel bands, cleaning rod and butt plate.

Some guns may have additional pieces (sorry no choice) like minor parts & screws.

Condition: usually show rust & pitting and be covered in dirt as originally stored.  Otherwise they may not operate because of seizing or could be otherwise incomplete.  Plus there may be additional cracks, missing chunks, old repairs.

Note: These guns were manufactured before 1898 and are therefore legally considered antiques. It is totally legal to own these without a U.S. Federal Firearms License (FFL) and they can be shipped to most countries around the world.


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Gurkha Officer's Patch...
P-1876 Socket Bayonet...
Zulu Iklwa Spear
Original 1800's Patch...




Product Rating: (4.29)   # of Ratings: 28    Click Here to rate this product


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Showing comments 1-10 of 22 (Next 10) Click Here to see all comments
1. Anonymous User on 9/2/2010, said:

guess i expected too much. i'm a shooter of old guns, not a wall decorator. had to set it up in a milling machine to cut the rusted stock pins and band screws. the broken firing pin and spring are no bother, replacements are a dime a dozen. the rifling is fantastic, slugged out at .457. there in lies the problem. while examining the rifling i notice a counter rotational sprial with an aprox 2" lead. are these barrels twist steel. i can find no data on manufacturing for this period. oh, the pitting on the outside meas. about 1/3 the barrel thickness,making it a nice jack handle. jim
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2. James on 8/27/2010, said:

I recieved Mine today and the only thing that dissapoints is a missing rear sight. otherwise a great rifle in great shape!!! thank You
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3. Anonymous User on 8/23/2010, said:

Best price ever for one of these.
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4. Anonymous User on 7/29/2010, said:

I was thrilled by the overall condition of the Martini Henry Short lever rife, original rifle shoulder strap and bayonet. After a couple days of TLC, the rifle is a show piece of history that I have proudly hung on my office wall. Thank you Atlanta Cutlery for helping save historical items.
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5. Anonymous User on 7/20/2010, said:

1 of 2 came today and yes it was caked on grease/dirt. Over all 95% still there just missing butt plate. Im just amazed on the condition this rifles. I cant wait till the other one comes. Thanks Terry F.
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6. Anonymous User on 7/16/2010, said:

The rifle was very dirty but yet with a little bit of cleaning up it turned out it was totally worth it.It even had a brass buttplate on it.
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7. Kenneth on 6/30/2010, said:

Received all parts Butt and fore stocks in great shape. Have started to restore. Parts are cleaning up great. Havig a wonderful time working on this part of history. Ken Koch
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8. Anonymous User on 2/25/2010, said:

C. Green Heavy black soot, your hands turn black when you touch it, action works fine, minor stock/wood damage, missing rear site. Started the cold/cleaning process with Easy Off Oven Cleaner. Works great to remove grease & soot. Generally for a piece of history, and with some cleaning, I'll have a very nice rifle to be proud of. Thank you AC. Ordered a untouched hand select Snider and a untouched P-1853 today. They are super nice piece of "original" history at very fair prices.
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9. Anonymous User on 2/10/2010, said:

GREAT
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10. Billy on 2/10/2010, said:

I was back at the store Monday and I found a good one on the rack. There were only about 20 guns in the store as usual, but one was a Francotte that had been arsenal refinished long ago, still dirty and untouched. I could see some promise in this rifle so I bought it. I stripped it down last night and started cleaning it. The only part missing is the pin in front of the lower barrel band. Everything else is there and in GREAT condition NO Pitting on the metal NONE not even under the forearm. Inside the action looked new except for a little residue on the face of the bolt. The Bore looks like it will clean up great with a little work. The wood is in very good condition. One small splinter on the forearm that needs gluing back, and about a 1 inch chip off the toe of the butt stock that will have to be fixed. Also came with a Nepal marked BRASS buttplate. I WILL be back soon. If my wife will let me??? Billy
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