We don't see a lot of these little Martini action miniature rifles, especially in the take down format. This one we have for sale is in very nice condition for its age and is in its original rook rifle calibre of .297/.250, this is even more unusual, it not having been tubed to the more modern .22LR. or messed around with in any other way. A very nice small piece of Westley Richards gunmaking history.
The Westley Richards Martini was developed after the Monkey Tail rifle during a period of rapid development of military type firearms. It was shipped in 1000's to South Africa and was deadly in the hands of the Boer soldiers.
"In 1868, Westley Richards developed a hinged falling block breech loader. Indeed when the falling-block Martini rifle was adopted in 1868 as the standard British Infantry rifle, it was found to have infringed Westley Richards' patents (1931 of 1868) in "the principle of its construction". The British government was obliged to pay some £43,000 in Royalties." Extracted from 'In Pursuit of the Best Gun' 1812-2012.
Top a .577/450 Martini made for Orange Free State 1883 and below a Martini cadet rifle in .310 made for New Zealand in 1910.
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Ted Bradstreet on September 26, 2015 at 6:58 pm
As I am located in Albion, Maine, USA, I suspect this rifle is unavailable to me. If it is, however, I would like to know the asking price, as it is exquisite and I would very much like to add it to my collection.
Simon Clode on September 26, 2015 at 9:00 pm
Ted, thank you. Our used guns are always available in USA through our shop in Bozeman, Mt. However I am afraid this rifle is already sold and going to the southern states. I will let you know if I find another.
Simon
Larry on August 12, 2015 at 6:44 pm
These are very neat little rifles. I always enjoyed when they’d come through the shop. As you said, some had be sleeved to 22LR which made them a bit more fun and accessible to use… I can’t remember the last time I saw a box of 250s hanging around.