DESCRIPTION: Nepalese issue Westley Richards Martini rifle. The rifle is based on 1869 Westley Richards patented design. It was manufactured locally in Nepal under the direction of general Gahendra Rana in the 1880-s, and consequently it is often called, "Gahendra Martini". The rifle was issued to elite Ghurka regiments, and was considered superior to Martini design. The major advantage of the rifle was a feature allowing its entire action to be removed as one unit for ease of servicing. Production however caused logistic problems and by 1894 the Ghurkas were short of modern rifles. Finally the British came to the rescue with a delivery of several thousand Martini short lever rifles in late 1894 and even more long lever Martini rifles in 1908. Consequently, Nepalese Westley Richards rifles were withdrawn from service and stored for many decades in the government warehouse. Information about this rifle is still insufficient, but the most common opinion is that only few hundred of guns of this pattern were manufactured for the Government of Nepal (every rifle I have examined in the past had a three digit serial number in Nepalese characters). Nepalese language characters are present on the receiver, lever and rear sights (please, see pictures). CONDITION: Low fine with about 82% of thinning blue still present on metal. The blue is turning to brownish color. Most of the wear is on the barrel bands, lever and in couple of spots on the receiver. The buttplate is covered with uniform brown patina. Solid stocks with some handling marks, dings and light scratches. No cracks of any kind to the stocks. The stocks show crude tool marks, that are characteristic to Nepalese manufactured rifles. The bore is in fine+ condition with strong rifling. Action works fine. All the internal parts of the rifle are in fine condition, with no visible wear. All the markings on metal are clearly visible. Complete with original cleaning rod. Overall length: 49.5 inch. Scarce rifle in very collectible condition!
