Martini Francotte Rifle from Afghanistan: What the !?$&@! is this?

[chooks9]

Just came into possession of a Martini pattern Francotte rifle that was brought back from Afghanistan (with paperwork). It's all in the white and has what looks to be a military style sight, but has receiver engraving consistent of a commercial firearm. There is a barrel band (installed what looks to be backwards) with a bayonet lug. The receiver and barrel have Belgian PV proofs, a "C. 303" stamping, and has a "Francotte Patents" stamping on the receiver, along with the script "La Francotte." A sling with homemade silk string "upgrades" make the final touches, along with a coin tacked onto the stock.

A friend with some background knowledge indicated that this gun looks to be very consistent with something that would've beer carried by a local tribesman or a Mujahideen. I'm doubtful if it being a khyber pass copy as the stamps and especially the engraving are too nice. I just wonder what exactly I have here...

 

[chooks9]

And 2

 

[chooks9]

Three

 

[chooks9]

Coin

 

[traveller]

That rifle has probably put rounds towards brits, russians, US troops, and lots of goats.

 

[BigCity]

I'm sure it is perfectly safe to fire as is.

Give us an AAR from your hospital bed...

 

[ken792]

I looked that one over the previous show. The receiver may well be an original, since the markings are far better than any local copy. Wood looked fairly good too from what I remember. They may well just have pulled out an old gun stored away and cleaned it up to sell to Americans, which is commonly done. They think Americans want shiny, new looking guns.

 

[chooks9]

I looked that one over the previous show. The receiver may well be an original, since the markings are far better than any local copy. Wood looked fairly good too from what I remember. They may well just have pulled out an old gun stored away and cleaned it up to sell to Americans, which is commonly done. They think Americans want shiny, new looking guns.

The wood is good but the forearm is slightly loose. I'm not going to mess with it as it's going to be a wallhanger. I've heard that many guns used by Afghans are purposely unfinished into the white as some sort of superstition or practice. However, somebody shining it up to sell is completely plausible to me. Whoever did it took care to not damage the engraving too much.

 

[chooks9]

That rifle has probably put rounds towards brits, russians, US troops, and lots of goats.

This.

The biggest reason I even got it was because it may very well have been used to thwart invaders (Brits, Russians, Coalition, Taliban, Northern Alliance), defend tribal territory, or take down such tasty animals as the goat.

 

[Gryphon]

Sorry thought this was the Martini thread . . . :