Nepalese Gahendra Martini Henry Parts Rifle

Based on an 1869 Westley Richards patented design, this unique and extremely rare early breechloading "Military Rifle" in .450/.577 Martini Henry caliber was produced under the direction of General Gahendra Rana in the 1880''s to provide Gurkha regiments with what appeared to be the latest British Military Rifle. An ingenious design, it really surpassed the standard Martini in that its entire action was removable as one unit for ease of servicing or exchange. Production, however, caused massive logistic problems and by 1894 the Gurkha were dangerously short of viable .450 cal. breechloaders to face ever-growing threats from the east. Finally the British came to the rescue with a delivery of several thousand Martini short lever rifles in late 1894 and even more long-lever Martini Rifles in 1908. The over complicated Gahendra Rifle was thereafter basically shelved, the void in up-to-date arms having been met. Always considered the rarest Martini variety of all, the Gahendra Rifle has a characteristic loading lever but in all other respects closely resembles the standard Martini externally. A chance to obtain an extremely rare historical antique rifle that was a close relative to one of the most successful rifle systems of all time.These Gurkha made examples were found in Military Storage in their homeland of Nepal. These particular Martini Infantry Rifles were used by the Gurkha detachments mostly in the Indian Sub Continent and are offered in half rifles or parts guns. Each rifle is offered totally as found, incomplete, broken, un-cleaned and un-refurbished. Totally covered and caked with dried on grease, dirt and rust, they can be used for parts, rebuilt or displayed as found. No guarantees as to what use or damage may be found after more than 100 years of neglect and storage.  While supplies last...get a copy of the hard cover book Treasure is Where You Find It on all orders with $250 or more of merchandise from the Antique Militaria category.  This free gift will be included with your order at the time of shipment. Each gun will feature: The barrel and action (which may be incomplete.)  There is no guarantee for any other parts.  Condition: usually show rust & pitting and be covered in dirt as originally stored.  All sales are final, so please do not order this if you are not prepared to receive an incomplete, broken parts gun.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.