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M-1878 Martini Henry Short Lever Infantry Rifle Untouched

ID#: 600768

Price: $179.00

M-1878 Martini Henry Short Lever Infantry Rifle Untouched



Quantity: 

Customer Rating: 38 ratings

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. Bayonet (no scabbard) available.

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.




Related Items

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




Product Rating: (4.26)   # of Ratings: 38   



5 - Great
4 - Good
3 - OK
2 - Bad
1 - Terrible
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Showing comments 1-10 of 31 (Next 10) Click Here to see all comments
1. Anonymous User on 1/5/2013, said:

Ordered a Select...arrived in 3 days. Heavy grease and coatings. Butt plate off...one provided along with 2 screws, stock loose, from what I can see....nice markings/carvings underneath grease, 2 cracks (1-about 4" and the other about 6")in front of the receiver by trigger guard, another 4" crack forward by the sing attachment. Haven't checked barrel/bore yet....there does not appear to be too much pitting along the barrel & wood stock....only hold my breath...till? Action functions, don't think there will be a problem there. Rod is in fine condition & not frozen in stock, all hardware there. In general, I'm very happy with this one. Will take some time to clean; hand cleaning with equal parts of lineseed oil, turpentine & alcohol mixed together...spray on, wait 5-10 min. wipe grease off with paper towels, once in morning..once in afternoon, begin all over next day until clean, slow process...yes but no wood damage. Thanks AC. C.GREEN
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2. Greg on 8/19/2012, said:

The Martini Henry Francotte I received was in very good shape. One long crack along the forestock, dings and dirt. The metal parts were in great shape after a thorough cleaning and oooo steel wool rub. The rifle looks amazing. I recommend paying the customary "hand select" fee, it is money well spent. Take your time removing the wood furniture, its a 100+ years old. I would not shoot it without a gunsmiths approval, its just too old. Thanks ACC for a great product at a fair price!
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3. Charles on 3/6/2012, said:

This gun is filthy as described...however it is complete, the action still works, and I was able to field strip it with some difficulty after about 30 minutes. I knocked off the first bit of grease tonight on the wood with Easy off and some 00 steel wool. I will definitely need to do it again. As far as the metal pieces, I plan on taking everything down to my local garage and using their parts cleaner, and then probably soaking everything in mineral spirits. I have high hopes that I will be able to restore this gun to its former glory, and will be ordering another one after I finish this one.
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4. John on 2/17/2012, said:

Just got it. I love it. Of course it needs some tender loving care, but that is why I bought it. I wanted something to work on and I got it. Everything works too!! Butt stock a little loose, but with a little work, I will have her tight. Thanks a bunch. My relaxation time just got longer.
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5. Belden on 12/28/2011, said:

Outstanding value. Yes the gun had some small issues but it was all there and the bore cleaned up to a bright shine. I even shot the gun 30 minutes after unpacking it! I cannot recommend these as shootable weapons to anyone, just saying mine was in that good of condition.
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6. Kurt on 12/21/2011, said:

Bought one as a present. It was in better condition than expected and came with everything, including the butt plate. The butt stock is a little loose. The biggest complaint I have is with the VERY poor packaging job. $10 for three pieces of bubble wrap? Very cheap job.
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7. eddie on 12/9/2011, said:

great gun it is exactly what it says anyone who appreciates history and firearms will enjoy this
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8. Richard on 3/11/2011, said:

Recieved rifle in three days.Disassembeled it for cleaning,put all parts in keroseneand left to soak overnight.Cleaned stocks with some Goo Gone and 0000 steel wool.Used Howards restore a finish as directed and it really made the stocks look much better.Re assembeled rifle after cleaning metal parts with 0000 steel wool and oil.I am very happy with the rifle and will will hang it with my other antique arms. Rick
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9. Anonymous User on 11/10/2010, said:

rusted out,overpriced, poorly built rotting gun you cant get parts for, that will never be worth more . mine has a big rust hole inside barrel.dissapointed Yea and the bayonet not even close to fitting
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10. Anonymous User on 10/24/2010, 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. something else, I have since read a couple of postings on other sites where guys had themselves a ball rumaging thru the warehouse hand picking the best of the lot. that sets me off! jim
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Showing comments 1-10 of 31 (Next 10) Click Here to see all comments