I have no idea at all what this puppy is.....it belongs to an 80 year old woman, something someone left to her years ago. I don't have a lot of information about it, just pictures. Does anyone know anything about it?
Eric
Eric
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Grannies got a gun.....Comment
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...and she ain't afraid to use it.Comment
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I've never seen one like that before. It appears to be built on a 1870s-1880s era Martini-Henry action. I would guess that it is still in .451 caliber and it would be the devil to fire as a pistol!
I don't think that this is a production item (mass produced), but rather an individual gunsmith one off type item or maybe a small cottage type industry instigated by a surplus operator like Bannerman circa 1900 to 1930 in order to reach a larger market.
The general concept is similar to a lot of the early 20th century competition Match pistols, although I think that they were generally much smaller caliber.
Interesting to say the least.Comment
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Thanks Phil, that makes sense
It seems like a great way to break a wrist. I think she wants to sell it, if it's cheap enough it might make for a good conversation piece.
EricComment
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Please do not take my comment above as the last word. I sub collect English pistols from the mid-19th century and therefore I am exposed to many that date from decades later...such as this one. I do not recalled seeing this before.
It appears to be well made. The grip frame would have required some real skill to apply like this to a Martini action. I can not get a sense of scale from these photos, so I don't know if this is .451 and full size Martini action or not.
Are there any proofs, viewer marks or anything of the like other than the numbers seen in the photos?Comment
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Reminds me of a funky lookin' pistol I saw in the movie "Decision Before Dawn"WAF LIFE COACHComment
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Khyber Pass Special
I think this was made in Pakistan, it has that look.
BrianComment
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In which direction does this gun fire
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Ace
It is very odd, but I like itComment
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Such Henry-Martini system pistols were made somewhere in the Balkans in the late decades 19th century. Probably somewhere in Southern Bulgaria/Macedonia. However can't say for sure ifthis piece is one of the mentioned production, looks alike, but who knows...Comment
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Apart from the numbers I don't think there are any makers markings or proofs but I'll check again. It is a very well balanced piece seems fairly well made despite how it looks. Unfortunately the woman knows nothing about it's history, no idea at all where it might have been picked up. At least I've got some good suggestions now. Thanks!
Ace.....I'm afraid if you fired it now the bullet might come out in every direction
ericComment
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Zulu's!...thousands of them....
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that looks like a luger barrel doesnt it.Comment
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