Original Item: Only One Available. The Kingdom of Nepal in the Himalayas, a State under British "influence" since 1816, was constantly in need of the latest Military Equipment with which to discourage their neighbors. However, as with many of the areas in the Empire, the British were reluctant to give them the latest technology.

When the British adopted the Martini Henry in 1871 this was not an item Britain was ready to share. but the Nepalese found a Belgian "improved Martini" - the Francotte Patent in 1878 and promptly put it into production. It "improved" the British 1871 version in that the "action" was removable as one unit and, not only as parts as the British Rifle. However by so doing the Francotte was not fitted with a "Cocking Indicator" which turned out to be a serious drawback in the field.

The Nepalese/Gurkhas manufactured the Francotte until they adopted the Martini-Gahendra in 1885. They also did experiment with the Francotte cocking indicator project but was a short lived venture. A great innovation however developed too late to become standard issue having been replaced by the Gahendra Martini Rifle.

All Martini manufacture in Nepal stopped abruptly in 1894 when Great Britain relented, and allowed the release of thousands of British Martini Henry Short Levers into Nepal, followed by Long Lever Martini Henry Rifles in 1904 and 1908. By 1912 Britain had gifted Nepal 2,000 of the most current P-1907 S.M.L.E. Rifles in time for the State Visit of King George V during that year.

This nice example is one of the very few that we received that were able to be restored to complete condition. It was fully restored and sold years ago, recently repurchased by IMA at a gun show, and it still retains the original markings in Nepalese, including all of the range markings on the rear sight. The rifle is definitely quite nice shape for its age and what it has been through. It cycles, cocks, and dry fires with a hard trigger pull. The barrel still shows clear Henry style rifling, though there is definitely some wear and fouling to the grooves. The wood stocks show long use, but still retain original Nepalese markings in areas, and have been cleaned and restored to their best light, with no signs of past major damage.

This Nepalese Francotte-pattern Martini rifle is one of the relatively few examples restored to substantially complete condition from the IMA cache. It retains its original Nepalese markings, including the range graduations on the rear sight, and shows no visible evidence of having been renumbered with Western numerals. The action cycles, cocks, and dry fires, although the trigger pull is heavy, while the bore retains clear Henry-style rifling with expected wear and fouling in the grooves. The stock has been cleaned and restored, but still shows extended use and retains surviving Nepalese markings without evidence of major structural damage. Its removable Francotte-pattern action and experimental cocking indicator make it a particularly interesting example of Nepal’s transitional Martini rifle development during the 1880s.

Specifications-

Years of Manufacture: circa 1885
Caliber: .577/450 Martini–Henry
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 33 Inches
Overall Length: 49 5/8 Inches
Action type: Lever Action Falling Block
Feed System: Single Shot
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

More on the Francotte Martini rifle:

In 1878 the Francotte patent Martini System was granted utilizing a detachable mechanism fitted without the Cocking Indicator. Revolutionary at the time by compartmentalizing the mechanism for quick disassembly, it only lasted 10 years as the latest technology. It was replaced in 1888 by the .303 cal Lee Metford bolt action Rifle's introduction into the British Military System. Although the British never embraced this European improvement, these "Improved System Rifles" saw much service on frontiers all over the World.

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.