Item Description
Original Item: These are genuine British Manufactured Martini-Henry Rifles from our 2003 acquisition of historical firearms from the palace of Lagan Silekhana in Katmandu, Nepal. None of these rifles is a "Khyber Pass" fake or forgery that currently flood the market today. These are genuine British Made Victorian Issue: the real deal and now offered for the first time in "Untouched Condition" at a fabulous price!
The Martini-Henry is probably the most famous military rifle of the Victorian era, incorporating the early short lever with 33" barrel in the new .45 caliber. This was the first manufactured breechloader to be adopted for general issue by the British Army. Internationally known for its role in the movies "Zulu" and "Zulu Dawn" it should be noted that at the Battle of Isandhlnana in January 1879 where the British lost its entire command of 1300 men, the Zulu's suffered in excess of 2000 casualties. Followed by the memorable action at Rorke's Drift, the Martini Henry Rifle more than any other represents British Colonial rule during the Victorian era.
Each Martini-Henry bears a date from the 1870's (Dates vary 1872-1879, No Choice). British manufactured Bayonet and scabbard available separately.
What does "Untouched Condition" mean? OK, this is exactly what we are offering: Genuine pre-1898 British manufactured Martini-Henry Rifles that have laid undisturbed for well over 100 years in far from perfect storage conditions in the Old Palace of Lagan Silekhana in Katmandu, Nepal. Our DVD of "TREASURE IS WHERE YOU FIND IT" shows these very weapons as we found them and the story behind them.
What you will get:
- Action
- Lever
- Trigger
- Stock [May have Cracks, Missing Chunks, Old repairs, Wood Rot]
- Barrel
- 2 Steel Barrel Bands
- Cleaning Rod
- Butt Plate
What you might not get:
- Screws [Butt Plate, Sling Swivel, etc]
- Sling Swivel
- Sight Leaf/Slide
- Other minor bits
Typical Condition:
- Will show rust & pitting
- Will be covered in filth
- May not operate
- May be incomplete
- May have Cracks, Missing Chunks, Old repairs.
- May be frozen in grime
- May have cracks and/or rot in wood
However, every British Short Lever Martini-Henry will be 100% genuine!
We ask you to look closely at the photographs, the example photographed here is a typical gun that could expect to receive, read reviews, both good and bad, and only then place an order understanding what you are likely to receive. We want Educated Aware Customers. If it isn't what you expect, that is fine, return it (before you attempt any restoration) and the full gun purchase price will be refunded to you, however the customer will pay shipping both ways. We can not exchange guns and will not get into an exchange situation, so please do not ask.
We are not trying to sell you an incomplete weapon and then sell you the missing parts. We will do our best to make sure it is complete as possible. One day we will also sell replacement parts, but that is in the distant future.
We are not trying to frustrate you; we are trying to fill a void in the marketplace for genuine but affordable rare and unique antique weapons so that collectors and historians of all backgrounds can enjoy a genuine part of history.
These should be viewed as "project" guns, work on it with your Son or Grandson, clean it up, hang it over your mantle, or don't clean it, they are impressive anyway you seem them. The price is affordable; the history is priceless.
If you want to shoot it, DON'T! If you still want to shoot it, take it to a licensed GUNSMITH first. These are 100+ year-old guns, be very careful, IMA sells these for display purposes only, they are not intended to be fired. Please buy our products, but do read the reviews and descriptions first. We feel you will agree that the recovery of old weapons from Nepal was a milestone for the collecting fraternity and we hope you enjoy a genuine antique weapon that has never been touched by any other collector than you.
Specifications-
Years of Manufacture: 1871-1879
Caliber: .577/450 Martini-Henry
Ammunition Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 32 inches
Overall Length: 49 Inches
Action type: Lever Action Falling Block
Feed System: Single Shot
NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these.
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Restoration Martini-Henry Mk II
I have a long way to go on restoration, which I am enjoying. John Witherspoon
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Martin Henry mark 4 untouched.
Excellent Martini Henry mark 4 just arrived. Everything there and only small stock damage which is nothing for such an old rifle. All working parts are good and if you are thinking about buying one I would now.
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Good example of a Martini Henry
The rifle was received after very fast shipping as always, I opened the package and was surprised how clean the rifle was and the lever was sluggish but moved very nicely. The wood was a bit crumbly, and the butt stock was split from the bolt rusting and swelling, I may be able to salvage it with some patience and acra glass. All in all very pleased with my rifle.
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They still have good ones
Crack in buttstock, but that's expected with MKII, other than that, a wonderful representation.
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Great piece of History!!
Fairly decent condition, considering. I may have to get another. No missing pieces. Was able to break it down without too much trouble.
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Excellent!
Had a split wrist as expected but not a difficult repair and the rifle cleaned up nicely. I have cleaned quite a few Nepal Cache rifles and this is the nicest MK II I have received. Excellent bore and barely any pitting on the barrel, looks like it was lightly used during its service life. Very sharp markings, 1878, BSA & MCo
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Great shooter
Cleaned up well, put the first three shots in the same hole using old kynoch ammo. Very impressed. Would recommend to anyone.
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Martini Henry MK2
My rifle was complete and a absolutly stunning example, sure it had some dents and rust but thats a military rifle for you, it was much nicer than i imagined, that night i completly soaked every screw and pin with kroil and got to work the next day, when dissasembled i soaked all the metal in simple green for the night, the next morning i pulled everything out and brushed all the crud off and used mineral spirits as needed, used 0000 steel wool to brush the minor surface rust that was forming from its bath and quickly hit all the parts with a heavy coat of gun oil, after reassembly of the metal parts, the gun functioned smoother than imagined, all the wood i had been hitting with coates of turpentine and scrubbing it with the 0000 steel wool in between, the turpentine is pulling all the old oils out and giving the dark black looking stock its original lighter brown appearence. Extremely happy with it thus far. I think i see another in the near future
Untouched dated MkII Martini Henry
This is the fourth untouched rifle that I have bought from IMA and I have been delighted with the condition of all of them. I have had no missing parts and the three Martin Henrys have all been functional when cleaned. Filthy with some rust and minor stock damage as advertised which means hours of enjoyable work to clean them up. My only wish is that IMA would produce some simple videos of disassembly and what the cleaned and finished guns should look like. Come on IMA, you have gunsmiths doing this, so produce some 15 minute uTubes to show the process. Put the links on your website and it would be good advertising for you. Then we would know what oil to finish the stock with and what the metal parts are supposed to look like.
Martini Henry Original Mark II
Great piece, so glad I ordered it completely cleaned. Great job.