Product Overview
Based on an 1869 Westley Richards patented design, this unique and extremely rare early breechloading "Military Rifle" in .450/.577 Martini Henry calibre 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 removeable as one unit for ease of servicing or exchange. Production, however, caused massive logistic problems and by 1894 the Gurkhas were dangerously short of viable .450 cal. breechloaders to face evergrowing 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. What does Untouched Condition mean? OK, this is exactly what we are offering: Genuine pre-1898 Nepalese manufactured Martini-Henry Gahendra 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. Socket Bayonet 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.
