Firing the Nepalese Bira Gun

One of the TV programmes which I watch when there isn't anything else worth looking at is "Pawn Stars" and yesterday they had a Nepalese Bira gun on the programme which someone had brought into the shop. Before long the gun had been taken out into the desert and it was being fired.

A while ago a UK dealer did have a few of these guns for sale which can be legally owned in the UK provided that they are not used. If I remember correctly they were priced around about £26,000 here. I was tempted to buy one but, unfortunately, my bank balance wasn't and isn't large enough and nor is my house. This is because if I owned one of these guns I would want to have it inside my house, in my lounge, and as it's a relatively small house with a small lounge there wouldn't be much room for anything else, like furniture.

Fortunately, I have found the footage on Youtube.

Pawn Stars: Original 1896 Nepalese Bira Gun | History - YouTube

Bira Gun of Nepal - YouTube

Curious, what's the deal with this alleged pre-1898 rule?

Russ

He doesn't need an FFL for an antique firearm to purchase or resell. Any weapon built before the date is considered antique.

A single Martini round was supposed to do a lot of damage to a person or animal at close range. One can only speculate on what damage a Bira gun could do at close range?

Used against massed opponents such as the British saw back at that time, this would be devastating...cut a swath through a charge. They'd still be over run by masses though.

If you have ever had the pleasure of firing a Martini, you can feel and see the energy and effect that large slow round had on a target, the cast iron target holders at my range literally rock backwards with the percussive effect of the impated energy.

A Bira would have been hellish to be on the receiving end of!

I believe you can still own and shoot one in the UK with an FAC, as they are hand cranked.

Is that still the case?

That said, buying enough cases to feed it would probably cost as much as the Bira cost to buy these days.

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Originally Posted by mrclark303

That said, buying enough cases to feed it would probably cost as much as the Bira cost to buy these days.

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I'd cast the bullets and paper patch as needed...load and have them in a pail for the range practice. We'd want a steel hanger for this one...or wood so we can watch it splinter...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

I'd cast the bullets and paper patch as needed...load and have them in a pail for the range practice. We'd want a steel hanger for this one...or wood so we can watch it splinter...

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It sure would be fun Jim!

Maybe two by fours of pine...laminated side to side and cut a man size out of it... Use wood stakes and then watch the splinters fly. You'd want a full pan though.