Picked this up today. I have been looking at this particular Martini for some time, the dealer at the show finally let me have it after months of haggling.
It is, apparently, a Nepalese Francotte, but one unlike all the others I've seen. We have a brass buttplate, brass nosecap, and zero markings save for what looks like Nagari on the lever.
Although filthy, it looks like it is well built, not as crude as other examples I've seen.
Receiver has some sections(?) on it.
But what I'm really curious about is the cartouche/stock marking on the butt. No idea what it is, can find no reference.
It's about to get a thorough cleaning. Any thoughts are appreciated, more pics on the way.
Where is the breech-block axis pin? Cocking indicator has been removed. What happened to the axis? Some serious fudging seems to have been carried out here. In this context, the all-too-crisp crossed cannons symbol looks as if it was applied recently.
Seriously, it need to be completely dismantled and cleaned before one can make any kind of judgement based on photographs.
Where is the breech-block axis pin? Cocking indicator has been removed. What happened to the axis? Some serious fudging seems to have been carried out here. In this context, the all-too-crisp crossed cannons symbol looks as if it was applied recently.
Seriously, it need to be completely dismantled and cleaned before one can make any kind of judgement based on photographs.
This is a Francotte Martini.
The axis pin is internal and the cocking indicator is in a slot on the rhs of the block on a Francotte.
Few more pics.....the internals seem to be very well made, only one marking as you can see. Can't tell if it's Nepalese or not.
The crossed cannon stamp was semi covered in the black 'yak grease' along with this other mark. I'm not so sure it's recent.
Trying to get everything else apart. Tough going.
Triggerguard is much rounder than other examples I've seen, and the trigger itself is set a lot further forward, again, compared to others. Action cocks and operates like it should.
This rifle also sports a long nox/nocks. Pics of that later.
Triggerguard is much rounder than other examples I've seen, and the trigger itself is set a lot further forward, again, compared to others. Action cocks and operates like it should.
This rifle also sports a long nox/nocks. Pics of that later.
Cleaned up and reassembled. All sorts of markings popped out after the crud was gone.
Nepali unit marks on the butt, Nepali characters on rear sight leaf with what appears to be a British 'broad arrow' on the rear sight base.
Rifling seems a lot tighter and faster than other Martinis.
Most unusual Nepalese Martini I've ever come across!
PM
Originally Posted by Patrick Chadwick
