Original Item: Only One Available. Well this is certainly a strange one, and something we have not had before! Recently we have often encountered the various "Khyber Pass" Made copies of British Martini-Henry and Martini-Metford rifles, due to the U.S Military’s recent involvement in Afghanistan. However, we have never encountered a Martini action PISTOL, which in this case is even in .303 British Caliber, the standard chambering for the Martini-Metford, Martini-Enfield, and Lee Series of rifles. It is quite heavy, and probably kicked like a mule if used, but we have confirmed with real cartridges and measurements that it is indeed in .303 British.

Traditionally the British converted .450/.577 Martini Rifles to .303 caliber, often turning them into carbines at the same time. However in this case, most likely in Northern India by the Khyber Pass, this pistol was constructed using a Martini style action, locally manufactured probably entirely by hand. Occasionally original British and European parts were used when acquired, and we do see a serial number of 85858, on the right side of the action, but we suspect this is a replicated marking.

After production, the many weapons fabricated in the Khyber Pass area were then sold to the visiting Afghan tribesmen who came through the pass to trade for what they understood to be "BRITISH MADE WEAPONS". They then kept these for over a century, and there are known pictures showing Afghans using similar weapons during the Soviet-Afghan war. Later, many U.S. G.I.'s purchased such weapons when deployed in KABUL over the last 20 years, and shipped them home to the United States as War Trophies.

The Martini action, adopted by the British in 1871 was one of the strongest ever developed and saw military service in England and the Empire, in one form or another for almost seventy years. The most famous action of course being the defense of Rorke's Drift in Natal, South Africa in the 1879 Zulu War. They saw extensive use all over the British Empire.

The overall condition is very nice, still retaining some of the original blued finish, and showing much decoration, all done with a number 8 metal stamp. The action does function correctly, with a strong dry fire, and the ejector does function. We checked the bore, and it actually does show rifling, though with the long .303 chamber, the actual rifled section is only about 3 inches long. Definitely not an ideal weapon by ANY stretch of the imagination, but extremely interesting nonetheless.

We were not able to find any British or European markings at all, but it is possible that they were removed. The quality of fabrication is actually quite high, however it is definitely NOT A GUN WE WOULD SHOOT, sold for Collection purposes ONLY. The metal used on these is definitely not the same quality as British Steel. Already 125 years old and rated "ANTIQUE". This will make a great wall hanger and conversation piece! Ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: circa 1896
Caliber: .303 British
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Overall Length: 5 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 11 1/2 Inches
Action type: Falling-Block
Feed System: Single Shot