Francotte Martini - IMA

[psc945]

Just took delivery of one of the Nepalise released (untouched) Rifles and they threw in a second hand stock to help.
Very pleased with the service. First time I have dealt with them.
Fancied a francotte to try my hand at restoration.
They are a nice rifle in there own right anyway. But a cheaper start for me.
If I make a good job of this may try for a true Martini Henry MkII short lever from them (another untouched)
Is there anyone in UK (or USA )who has had a go with any advice.
will check out markings first to identify manufacture and other stampings shortly.
Just took it out of the box to see it was all there no missing parts. It is now waiting for me in the garage to work on it.

Paul C

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[jamie5070]

I don't like to send people away from this site but for the martini enthusiest try britishmilitariaforums.yuku.com Lots of good advice on how to deal with these guns.
I have a francotte disassembled on my work bench right now. I'm waiting for the temps to drop to start working on it again.
john

[Oatmeal Savage]

psc945, please post photos of your restoration project. IMA are great to deal with:-)

[psc945]

I have started to have a look at whats needed and see any marks visible at this stage.
I am hoping to use the second stock but it needs a bit of wood adding and possibly shaping.
I wanted to keep the original gun in near to original parts but may need to look at restoring the original butt later it is in a worse state. If I can add to it and reconstrust it I will put it back on later.
First I need to remove the remains of the stock bolt. In both pieces. The original bolt has the threads on so need to be more careful with that.
Any way these are the first pics obtained. A start at Least.
The cleaning rod looks like a Mk I, Mk II martini Henry one but it is minus the threads at the other end. Will look at that in detail later. It is pitted but will clean reasonably.
Right pics below.

[psc945]

Have taken it apart. screws where pretty easy to remove.
Only surprise is the lever, it has one of the tangs missing. (see pic)
otherwise not so bad. The Barrel has some nasty deep rust pitting in a few places, but as I dont intend to shoot it, non of the mechanical problems will be an issue.
I can't detach the swivel from the trigger guard, the screw seems to be bent and tight so soaking with WD40 at present but may leave in situe, unless I can find possible replacement if I snap it.
I have seen quite a few symbols and marks which obviously are Nepalese writing but I cannot identify these yet.
The main one under the lever (see Pic) and the two marks that appear on the breech block, trigger guard assembly and barrel.

Some gentle oiling and wiping for now I think then reasembly while I work on the wood furniture.

[jamie5070]

You lucked out with that extra stock butt. Mine has a larger chunk missing at the heal, more wood rotted out at the wrist like on your extra and i'm missing the butt plate. From the two digit script on your trigger/block frame it looks like you got an early one. These are fun.
john