Treasures of the Khyber Pass - "Martini Henry" edition

[butlersrangers]

'Sentryduty' - Thanks for sharing your pictures of the 'Market Place' and for your service.

Years ago, (back in the 1970s and 80s), I had a .303 caliber Khyber Pass copy of a M-H Artillery Carbine. It was pretty convincing, until you looked at the "rifling" and upside-down #8 on the rear-sight leaf. Strangely, the breech-block and extractor were real British parts. Everything else was handcrafted. I kind of wish I had kept it.

Patrick seems 'spot on' in his observations. I am sure that 1875 B.S.A. Manufacturing. Co. receiver is real. I was pretty convinced of this rear-sight being authentic, until I noticed the 'hand stamped' 200 yard marking. (I took the liberty of re-posting a couple of your pictures) Thanks Again!

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[Patrick Chadwick]

Strangely, the breech-block and extractor were real British parts.

Not strange! If you were Ali Bubba hand-carving a Martini you would gladly use any original parts you could find, and save yourself a lot of work. And the contour of the depression in the block is one of those aspects that the "carvers" never seem to get quite right.

---------- Post added at 12:48 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:43 AM ----------

I know at the time I had that one tagged as a possible real rifle, but lacking any real knowledge beyond being able to tell the difference between a Martini-Henry and an umbrella, I was not ready to gamble.

A correct decision. The price was by no means an unrepeatable bargain offer and, if the barrel was bad, far too high for a wallhanger. Take your time (4 years, in my case) and learn what you can, so that when you do find "your" Martini you can make a quick but low-risk decision.

---------- Post added at 12:55 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:48 AM ----------

I was pretty convinced of this rear-sight being authentic, until I noticed the 'hand stamped' 200 yard marking.

And if the rifle in the first photo was "muzzle-up", then the backsight was mounted back-to-front. The shooter has to be able to read the slider when the leaf is up! And the vertical edge of the sight has to be towards the shooter's eye, for contrast. That alone does not prove it's fake - but it's a detail that makes you want to look more closely.