Unknown Gun

[BoltActionHero]

Hello everyone. I was introduced to this site by C-pher, I must say it is great to see a place where gun enthusiasts can come together to share ideas and information like this.

To Buisness, I am a collector of antique firearms... I really just started my collection in the past year, before that, I was just collecting old military antiques. I came across this one very unusual gun from the 1850s and grabbed it. All I know is that its origins are most likely southern Europe and it is a Martini Style Breach loader. Sadly, thats all I know about this pistol. If anyone has any background info or know where I could find some, I would greatly appreciate it. THANKS!

 

[Moderator]

Maby US Volcanic or Sharps?

 

[PatMcD]

That is a really interesting pistol. With all the ornamentation of the wood, I would guess it has some Arabic or North African influences. Southern Spain or maybe Turkey?

 

[EddieCoyle]

Welcome to the forum BoltActionHero.

My guess is that it was made in India, Pakistan, or Afghanistan and is a pistol made from (or copied from) a Martini Henry rifle. Here's a pic of another one (not mine). Note the similarity:

Here is some more info.

 

[PatMcD]

Oooh. A point earned for nifty link.

 

[BoltActionHero]

Welcome to the forum BoltActionHero.

My guess is that it was made in India, Pakistan, or Afghanistan and is a pistol made from (or copied from) a Martini Henry rifle. Here's a pic of another one (not mine). Note the similarity:

Here is some more info.

Yes I'd have to agree, I see many similarities. Perhaps mine is a later model? Anyway, thanks for the link, that is quite helpful.

 

[EddieCoyle]

What's the bore diameter? Any idea of the chamber dimensions? Most of the old M/H's were .303 or .577/.450

 

[Scrivener]

The above is definitely made from a Martini-Henry receiver. Note the cocking indicator.

The original chambering was .577-.450; however, some were rebarreled in .303 British and some were rebored as shotguns (I saw some from South Africa that had undergone that treatment).

I believe the top gun is a M-H copy, as it has a brass frame. The service rifle was, of course, steel.

 

[PatMcD]

The Afghan back-alley gunsmiths were/are masters at copying and making firearms from scratch.

 

[LoginName]

The Afghan back-alley gunsmiths were/are masters at copying and making firearms from scratch.

Yep... and here's the VP of development, manufacturing and test firing in the background....

 

[Junglerott]

Yep... and here's the VP of development, manufacturing and test firing in the background....

ROFL rep point for that one!!!!!