Afghanistan Martini-Henry Cavalry Carbine .577/450 1909-1920 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1500

LSB#: 210723TS32

Title: Afghanistan Martini-Henry Cavalry Carbine .577/450 1909-1920 C&R

Make: Kabul Arsenal, Afghanistan

Model: Martini-Henry Cavalry Carbine

Serial Number: No Serial Number.

Year of Manufacture: 1909 – 1920. The markings on the receiver were used between 1909 and 1920. This Cavalry Carbine appears to have been produced early in the production run. Most of these rifles were chambered in .303 British.

Caliber:.577/450 Martini-Henry

Action Type: Lever Operated Single Shot Falling Block Rifle

Markings: The right side of the receiver is marked with a “Mosque in an 8 pointed star”, with Arabic script, and with Arabic numbers. The barrel shank, left side of the receiver, both barrel bands, nosecap, rear sight, trigger, trigger guard, buttplate, and the reinforcing metal on the belly of the stock are all marked with Arabic script and/or Arabic numbers. Many of the Arabic numbers match.

Barrel Length: Approximately 21 ½ Inches

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a small post set atop a small base and set between 2 protective ears. The rear sight is a “V” notched blade attached to an escalator assembly. The right side of the rear sight base is marked with Arabic numbers for use with the escalator. It flips up to become a sight ladder marked with Arabic numbers. The ladder uses a sliding “V” notched blade and has a fixed “V” notched blade at the top.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The hardwood stock has a straight grip, nosecap, cutout for the included cleaning rod, 2 barrel bands, 2 sling loops, metal socket for the lever tip, and a metal buttplate. Sight cover screws are mounted below both sides of the rear sight. The sight cover is missing.  The buttplate shows scrapes, discoloration, and some light surface erosion. The stock hardware shows scratches & discoloration from oxidation. The wood shows numerous scrapes, scratches and compression marks. Several have damaged small areas of the surface wood. These marks have been oiled over. The LOP measures 14 ¼ inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. Overall the stock is in about Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Refinished

Bore Condition: The bore is grey and the rifling is deep. There is fouling and intermittent erosion throughout the bore. The fouling should clean up some. There is also some frosting near the muzzle.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 65% of its metal finish as refinished. Small scratches and oxidation show through the new finish. The lever & bottom metal were not refinished. They show scratches, thinning, discoloration from oxidation, and surface erosion. The refinished metal shows scrapes, small scratches, and discoloration from oxidation. The screw heads show heavy use. The markings are clear & deep. Overall, this rifle rates in Very Good condition as refinished.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
There is no safety. The cocking indicator is on the right side of the receiver.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: Without getting too deep into world history, it’s safe to say that this Afghanistan Martini-Henry Cavalry Carbine represents a significant crossroads of firearms technology, military history, and geopolitics. Not to be confused with Kyber Pass and its homegrown Martinis, the Kabul Arsenal produced their own Martini-Henry rifles that surpassed the others in quality and reputation. After receiving assistance from the British to create a legitimate firearms factory with Western equipment and gunsmith training, the capital’s arsenal would see production run from the 1890s to the early 1920s. This firearm is an excellent example of an interesting Martini-Henry variant that comes to us from this vibrant Central Asian nation. Whether you’re a Martini-Henry collector looking for something new (to you) to add to your collection or you’re a firearms fan wanting to branch out into a new interest area, this carbine would be a spectacular starting point!