Early Production Boer War, Westley Richards ZAR Martini Henry Rifle

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This is an early production Boer War, Westley Richards ZAR Martini Henry Rifle, dated 1896. They were made specially for the Boers using the Martini action but had an improved Francotte patent breech mechanism. This design feature enabled the complete action to be removed by unscrewing the large screw at the bottom front edge of the receiver, and is unique to the ZAR Martini's. The initials ZAR stand for 'The South African Republic' or in Dutch: Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek. The Boer's used them in numerous battles against the British during Second Boer war, 1899 to 1902. Records indicate that 30,663 ZAR Martini's were supplied between 1896-1899. Serial numbers start at above the 10,000 range with this example being number 11,898. Which would indicate it to around gun number 1,898th from the first batch shipped.

The republic, under the premiership of Paul Kruger, defeated British forces in the First Boer War and remained independent until the end of the Second Boer War on 31 May 1902, when it was forced to surrender to the British. The territory of the South African Republic became known after this war as the Transvaal Colony.

The example is chambered in .577/450  obsolete calibre and has a great condition bore with strong rifling throughout. It has a full working action and can be cocked, stripped an dry fired.

To order Call 01547 529093 or 05603 416575 or email sales@deactivated-guns.co.uk.

Product Code: 1ZAU8

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