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jimmy
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Identify Martini
Nov 20th, 2011 at 5:40pm
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Picked up this Martini at a local show. Can anyone identify the origin of this rifle? Not British. I think maybe Nepal. 

Also would like to ask would it be safe to fire if all checks out. Have read some do not recommend shooting the Nepal made martini.

Bore looks almost new. Found some Kynoch 577/450 rounds online. Smokeless loads made in 1950 or so. While these would more than likely be berdan primed. I also wondered if they would be safe to fire in an older martini.

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38_Cal
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Re: Identify Martini
Reply #1 - Nov 20th, 2011 at 8:06pm
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Not a Martini, a Gahendra.  Made in Nepal, weak design and very questionable metallurgy and workmanship.  Lap welded barrel, I wouldn't shoot it from your shoulder.  Sorry.   

David
  
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waterman
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Re: Identify Martini
Reply #2 - Nov 20th, 2011 at 8:20pm
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Jimmy, slug the barrel before you do anything.  I have one that varies from .457 to .452 and back a couple of times.

David, if you put a liner in the barrel of one of the Nepalese rifles, could it handle a BP-style revolver cartridge?  I was thinking of 38 S&W.  Not 38 Special, lest some unwise soul use a +P or 357 cartridge.   

Richard
  
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jimmy
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Re: Identify Martini
Reply #3 - Nov 20th, 2011 at 9:21pm
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Slugged the barrel. Runs about .452/.455. Tight at the muzzle, loose in the middle, and one very small barely tight spot near the breech. I guess it could be lapped out.

I've read these guns were poorly made but this one looks really nice. Great wood, bore looks new, and I'm into it cheap. Don't want to blow up one while holding it. Bore size makes me think a 45acp adapter turned on the lathe would make a fun plinker out of this thing. May cast the chamber and see what I get.
  
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harry_eales
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Re: Identify Martini
Reply #4 - Nov 21st, 2011 at 2:58am
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Hello Jimmy,

I would be very wary shooting anything but BLack Powder in any Martini Rifle of that caibre. Yes I know that some were rechambered for .303 British cartridges but they weren't Gahendas. The ammo you have is probably worth more as collectors ammo, and yes it will be 'Berdan' primed. Sixty year old ammo will fire, you may have to snap it several times but I have (40 years ago) shot original Civil War Spencer Rimfire rounds and some did work first time, others either didn't or it took the firing pin several blows to work. If you absolutely must fire it get a few modern brass cases and load BP only, useing the very long string method of firing it for the first few rounds. 

You would really be better off using it as a wall hanger though. It would also be likely to save your wife investing in a new black dress.

Harry.
  
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