I've looked at all the marks that dogtag's link showed for the rifles and this one has none of them. Nothing on the side plates, nothing on the barrel and nothing anywhere except for the 5.939 on the front and rear bands and under the barrel and under the receiver and the unknown markings on the lever that look like they could be Nepalese. It's obviously a Martini Henry short-levered rifle with all the proper parts but none of the proper markings.
IMA and Atlanta Cutlery are both selling the short lever, "as found" rifles. They are known as the "Francotte Patent" with no cocking indicator or receiver markings. I'll email you the webpage from IMA.
Greetings to all. New to this forum but not to collecting. I have ordered 4 so far of the Nepal Martini's. Took a chance on 2 at first figuring a couple of rust buckets would come.I was shocked at the good condition of them after you cut through the crud. I had to order 2 more. 3 of the 4 had origional slings that are still supple. All 4 have decient wood for their age. All of them still have a good deal of finish on the metal. 3 of the 4 had jammed actions. I found out why. There is a metal cleaning rod stop plate that butts up to the reciever that has two wood screws. If the rod is shoved in too far the screws pop out of the old wood and get jammed in the reciever causing the action not to operate. Just take the barrell bands off and drive out the pin on the stock forearm. May take a little wiggling but the front pice will come off. You then can repair the rod stop.I think these are a bargain but saw that the price is fixing to increase 40.00 ea.
Got the Gehendra's. Whew ! Just spent all morning cleanning the 3rd one up. Was really gummed up with dirt and grease. Came out nice for the price. Now for a cold 4th of July brewsky.
"...no cocking lever on the right side of the receiver..." That's not a cocking lever. It's a cocked/not cocked indicator. The lever cocks it.
Go here. The Martini-Henry
"...made for the government of Nepal..." Possibly, but the Gurka troopies come from Nepal. Mercs, actually. 28,000 going through the selection process for 200 positions. A bunch you seriously want on your side.
"...the movie Zulu..." Thanks. Had to wait until Saturday night this week. Awfully decent of you. Zulu is the greatest movie ever made. Crank up the sound.
I have a how-to to make reloadable .577-450 cases out of 3/4" brass bar stock with BP load data, if you want it. toheir@hotmail.com