Identification of handgun

tini · October 27, 2019, 03:32 PM

need help in identifying this single action gun.thanks.john

Bill DeShivs · October 27, 2019, 03:53 PM

Looks like something built on a Martini rifle action.

tini · October 27, 2019, 08:44 PM

THANKS. JOHN

**44 AMP** · October 27, 2019, 11:58 PM

The shape of the action and lever put one in mind of a heavily converted Martini single shot rifle.

Any marking on it??

Caliber? (approx.?) is the barrel rifled??

a total guess, might be something done by a gifted metal worker in India or Pakistan maybe a century ago...

Archie · October 28, 2019, 12:40 AM

Combination of the above. What caliber is it?

Presuming this is from the Indian sub-continent area, (India, Afghanistan and Pakistan essentially) it strikes me from the time of the Raj, British control over the region.

From the profile picture, it looks to be a altered Martini-something (which suggests British origin). Probably as mentioned by a 'local' gunsmith, as the finish looks a bit roungh, but not execrable. If, as I suspect, it is an original caliber (something the in the .450 diameter category) it is possible a 'howdah' pistol. Made intentionally for use if the tiger jumps in the 'howdah' (the passenger area on top an elephant) and a rifle is too clumsy. (Or the tiger just says 'Howdah!)

Second thought is a smaller caliber (perhaps .303) and the sponsor (buyer) thought that would be suitable defense against two legged predators.

Aikibiker · October 28, 2019, 12:59 AM

Looks like a Kyber Pass Martini pistol. Ian from Forgotten Weapons did a video on one that made it to the US and was auctioned off back in 2015.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTvxFNRLbiw

tini · October 28, 2019, 09:07 AM

It is not a 303. Something smaller. Will try other calibers.on barrel there is a proof mark.looks like a fish.will post photo.

Barrel is rifled

Aikibiker · October 28, 2019, 07:17 PM

Being it was most likely handmade by a Kyber Pass gunmaker caliber could be anything. Try the various Martini calibers: .577/450 Boxer-Henry, .577/450 Martini-Henry, 11.43rx55r 11.43x59r, and 7.65x53.

I would also check to see if it chambers 7.62x39 as well.

Aikibiker · October 28, 2019, 07:19 PM

Ignore the proof mark. It was most likely added as decoration.

T. O'Heir · October 29, 2019, 01:14 PM

"...not a 303. Something smaller..." That doesn't mean it wasn't made in the Khyber Pass.
Slug the barrel to get the calibre.

Drm50 · October 31, 2019, 04:27 PM

Maybe cadet action and 310 cartridge?

tini · November 25, 2019, 06:41 AM

having a cast of the chamber done.

Scorch · November 25, 2019, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Maybe cadet action and 310 cartridge?

That's my guess. The shape of the action says Cadet. It could be a 310 or a 32-20 (a common conversion). Or it could be a 38/357, or just about anything a gunsmith could make up in their spare time. I will tell you, though, that the BATFE frowns upon conversions from rifle to handgun or shotgun to handgun.

October 27, 2019, 03:53 PM	#2
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,984	Looks like something built on a Martini rifle action. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

October 27, 2019, 11:58 PM	#4
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,832	The shape of the action and lever put one in mind of a heavily converted Martini single shot rifle. Any marking on it?? Caliber? (approx.?) is the barrel rifled?? a total guess, might be something done by a gifted metal worker in India or Pakistan maybe a century ago... __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

October 28, 2019, 12:40 AM	#5
Archie Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 2000 Location: Hastings, Nebrasksa - the Hear Posts: 2,209	Combination of the above. What caliber is it? Presuming this is from the Indian sub-continent area, (India, Afghanistan and Pakistan essentially) it strikes me from the time of the Raj, British control over the region. From the profile picture, it looks to be a altered Martini-something (which suggests British origin). Probably as mentioned by a 'local' gunsmith, as the finish looks a bit roungh, but not execrable. If, as I suspect, it is an original caliber (something the in the .450 diameter category) it is possible a 'howdah' pistol. Made intentionally for use if the tiger jumps in the 'howdah' (the passenger area on top an elephant) and a rifle is too clumsy. (Or the tiger just says 'Howdah!) Second thought is a smaller caliber (perhaps .303) and the sponsor (buyer) thought that would be suitable defense against two legged predators. __________________ There ain't no free lunch, except Jesus. Archie Check out updated journal at http://oldmanmontgomery.wordpress.com/

October 28, 2019, 12:59 AM	#6
Aikibiker Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2002 Posts: 181	Looks like a Kyber Pass Martini pistol. Ian from Forgotten Weapons did a video on one that made it to the US and was auctioned off back in 2015. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTvxFNRLbiw __________________ __________________________ ~Joel TFL survivor, THR member, TFL member once again!

October 28, 2019, 07:17 PM	#8
Aikibiker Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2002 Posts: 181	Being it was most likely handmade by a Kyber Pass gunmaker caliber could be anything. Try the various Martini calibers: .577/450 Boxer-Henry, .577/450 Martini-Henry, 11.43rx55r 11.43x59r, and 7.65x53. I would also check to see if it chambers 7.62x39 as well. __________________ __________________________ ~Joel TFL survivor, THR member, TFL member once again!

October 27, 2019, 08:44 PM	#3
tini Junior Member Join Date: October 25, 2019 Posts: 11	THANKS. JOHN

October 28, 2019, 09:07 AM	#7
tini Junior Member Join Date: October 25, 2019 Posts: 11	It is not a 303. Something smaller. Will try other calibers.on barrel there is a proof mark.looks like a fish.will post photo. Barrel is rifled

October 28, 2019, 07:19 PM	#9
Aikibiker Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2002 Posts: 181	Ignore the proof mark. It was most likely added as decoration. __________________ __________________________ ~Joel TFL survivor, THR member, TFL member once again!

October 29, 2019, 01:14 PM	#10
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...not a 303. Something smaller..." That doesn't mean it wasn't made in the Khyber Pass. Slug the barrel to get the calibre. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

October 31, 2019, 04:27 PM	#11
Drm50 Senior Member Join Date: November 10, 2014 Posts: 1,380	Maybe cadet action and 310 cartridge?

November 25, 2019, 06:41 AM	#12
tini Junior Member Join Date: October 25, 2019 Posts: 11	having a cast of the chamber done.