Original British Style “Khyber Pass” Martini-Metford .303 Rifle with Bone Inlaid Stock – Afghanistan USGI Bring Back Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. These are often encountered today, due to the U.S Military’s involvement with Afghanistan. Traditionally the British converted .450/.577 Martini Rifles to .303 caliber, but in this case, possibly in Northern India by the Khyber Pass, this high decorated rifle was most likely locally manufactured and/or assembled, with some parts probably made entirely by hand. Occasionally original British parts were used when acquired, and many parts on this do bear what look to be British marks, but those could also be replicated, though they were usually “not quite right”.

After production, these carbines were then sold to the visiting Afghan tribesmen who came through the pass to trade for what they understood to be “BRITISH MADE WEAPONS”. Many U.S. G.I.’s purchased such weapons when deployed in KABUL over the last 20 years, and shipped them home to the United States as War Trophies.

This example is definitely more interesting than most, both due to the heavily camel bone inlaid stock, as well as due to the level of manufacture and markings on SOME of the components. We took apart the action, and everything inside is almost certainly hand-made local manufacture, however with some other components we are not quite so sure. The receiver markings are very well executed, almost too well executed in some parts, particularly the crown, and read:

(CROWN)
V.R
ENFIELD
1881
(Lock Viewed)
ICI

The “ICI” should be “I.C.1.”, so this is definitely at least partially if not all fabricated. The receiver also definitely shows signs of modification, but on the left side the proofs definitely do look to be British. The trigger guard, lever, and fore stock hook have what look to be British proofs, but also letters inside circle proofs, which look possibly European? There were Martini Action rifles made outside of England, so it’s always possible that all the parts came from somewhere else. Definitely a ton of research potential in this rifle, as well as display potential due to the copies amounts of inlay work on the stock.

The Martini action, adopted by the British in 1871 was one of the strongest ever developed and saw military service in England and the Empire, in one form or another for almost seventy years. The most famous action of course being the defense of Rorke’s Drift in Natal, South Africa in the 1879 Zulu War. They saw extensive use all over the British Empire.

NOT A GUN WE WOULD SHOOT, sold for Collection purposes ONLY. The metal used on these is definitely not the same quality as British Steel, and the bore is like a stovepipe. Already 125 years old and rated “ANTIQUE”. With the attractive tiger stripe flamed butt stock, this will make a great wall hanger. Ready to display! 

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: circa 1896
Caliber: .303 British
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Overall Length: 30 Inches
Overall Length: 46 Inches
Action type: Falling-Block
Feed System: Single Shot