Has anyone bought one of the "untouched" M-H rifles from IMA? I read the reviews on the website but was a little suspicious. I want a M-H bad, but not bad enough to pay 600-800, so the untouched at 350ish sounds like a good winter project (like I need another).

I would ask for photos.

Lots of discussion about this on Gunboards. Seems you only hear about the ~good ones. There are no photos on these as they are untouched. They reach in the box, grab one, and ship it to you. Seems some come with all their parts, some don't. Some are whole and some are not.

While making a trip through Georgia I made sure my route included a stop at Atlanta Cutlery and I handpicked one. Cost me a couple hundred bucks more than 'untouched' one but there was no drama.

I almost get the idea that those buying the untouched ones want the drama. They want to open the box and see how good/bad it is, then spend weeks fixing it up.

Sorry guys I've been away from here. There are pics up on the IMA site, shows rifles in "Untouched condition". They look dusty as hell, but hard to tell much after that. It kind of seems like buying a pig in a poke, as we say down here. I want a MH badly,am on the verge of odering one and see what I get. I hope it isnt missing many parts so a GOOD CLEANING will hopefully bring an old warrior back to life.

Matt, have you shot yours? Where did you get brass? Ive heard you can get 24 gauge brass shotshells and form them into 450-577 cases. If you have reloaded I'm interested in your data.

Thanks
Eterry

PICTURES: Nepalese Gahendra Martini-Henry Rifle (577/450): Untouched

Original Item: The price is affordable; the history is priceless. IMA is proud to offer this rare sturdy gun as an affordable clean it yourself “untouched” rifle! Manufactured before 1898 and therefore no Firearms License or Permit of any kind are required to purchase this incredible piece of history. The Martini-Henry Gahendra was based on an 1869 Westley Richards patented design, this unique and extremely rare early breechloading Military Rifle 577/450 Martini-Henry calibre was produced under the direction of General Gahendra Rana in the 1880's to provide Ghurka regiments with what appeared to be the latest British Military Rifle. An ingenious design, it really surpassed the standard Martini in that its entire action was removable as one unit for ease of servicing or exchange. Production however caused massive logistic problems and by 1894 the Ghurkas were dangerously short of viable .450 cal. breechloaders to face ever growing threats from the east. Finally the British came to the rescue with a delivery of several thousand Martini short lever rifles in late 1894 and even more long lever Martini Rifles in 1908. The over complicated Gahendra Rifle was thereafter basically shelved, the void in up-to-date arms having been met. Always considered the rarest Martini variety of all, the Gahendra Rifle has a characteristic loading lever but in other respects closely resembles the standard Martini externally. A chance to obtain an extremely rare historical antique rifle that was a close relative of one of the most successful rifle systems of all time for an UNBEATABLE price!

What does “Untouched Condition” mean? OK, this is exactly what we are offering: Genuine pre-1898 Nepalese manufactured Martini-Henry Gahendra Rifles that have laid undisturbed for well over 100 years in far from perfect storage conditions in the Old Palace of Lagan Silekhana in Katmandu, Nepal. Our DVD of "TREASURE IS WHERE YOU FIND IT" shows these very weapons as we found them and the story behind them.

What you will get:
• Action
• Lever
• Trigger
• Stock [May have Cracks, Missing Chunks, Old repairs, Wood Rot]

• Barrel

• 2 Steel Barrel Bands

• Cleaning Rod

• Butt Plate


What you might not get:
• Screws [Butt Plate, Sling Swivel, etc]

• Sling Swivel
• Sight Leaf/Slide
• Other minor bits…

Typical Condition: 

• Will show rust & pitting

• Will be covered in filth

• May not operate

• May be incomplete 

• May have Cracks, Missing Chunks, Old repairs.

• May be frozen in grime

• May have cracks and/or rot in wood

However, EVERY Gahendra WILL BE 100% GENUINE!
We ask you to look closely at the photographs, the example photographed here is a typical gun that could expect to receive, read reviews, both good and bad, and only then place an order understanding what you are likely to receive. We want Educated Aware Customers. If it isn't what you expect, that is fine, return it (before you attempt any restoration) and the full gun purchase price will be refunded to you, however the customer will pay shipping both ways. We can not exchange guns and will not get into an exchange situation, so please do not ask.
We are not trying to sell you an incomplete weapon and then sell you the missing parts. We will do our best to make sure it is complete as possible. One day we will also sell replacement parts, but that is in the distant future.
We are not trying to frustrate you; we are trying to fill a void in the marketplace for genuine but affordable rare and unique antique weapons so that collectors and historians of all backgrounds can enjoy a genuine part of history.
These should be viewed as “project” guns, work on it with your Son or Grandson, clean it up, hang it over your mantle, or don’t clean it, they are impressive anyway you seem them. The price is affordable; the history is priceless.
If you want to shoot it, DON’T! If you still want to shoot it, take it to a licensed GUNSMITH first. These are 100+ year-old hand made guns, be very careful, IMA sells these for display purposes only, they are not intended to be fired.
Please buy our products, but do read the reviews and descriptions first. We feel you will agree that the recovery of old weapons from Nepal was a milestone for the collecting fraternity and we hope you enjoy a genuine antique weapon that has never been touched by any other collector than you.

Manufactured before 1898 and therefore no Firearms License or Permit of any kind are required to purchase this incredible piece of history, it can ship to anywhere in the USA and most countries across the globe.

I went to the Atlanta Cutlery site and found untouched M-Hs for a low low price of $150.00. I couldnt resist and bought one, would have paid extra for hand select but it didnt seem to be an option. I've spent more and got less I am sure, so I am expecting a package in a few days and will hopefuly have a new project to play with.
Eterry

Eterry-

Keep us posted, thinking about picking one of these up if they are shootable

Eterry, yes indeed I bought a bunch of (dusty) 24 gauge brass while at the Cabelas store in Dundee, Michigan. Richard Anderson from Gunboards formed it for me (he's known as RichardWV there) into Martini configuration. I fired around 200 shots with that stuff using Lee dies and a Lee press. I've recently sold my three M-H rifles and components as I am in 'retirement downsizing' mode.

P.S. I hand picked my M-H IV at Atlanta Cutlery and picked up the Mk II and Mk III from other sources. Paid good money for them and sold them for same. They were solid and cleaned up well. IMHO you get what you pay for.
Had a lot of fun with my Mk II, Mk III and Mk IV. Can't say they had anything over a trapdoor Springfield but they were a pleasure to play with.

I checked the UPS site, gun should deliver the 24th or 26th. I cant wait to see what santa sent me!! I have been monitoring gunboards and most seem to have some corrosion where stock attaches to receiver, but some report the bolt would open and would dry-fire as delivered! I'm being optimistic, but I know I might end up with a "tomato stake". Here's hoping a Georgia peach with an affinity for Texas boys gets my order and wants to make my heart sing!!!
Eterry

UPS made Christmas come early today! I got a pretty grimy, dirty M-H M-1878, complete with buttplate (not attached), the stock and fore end is solid without any apparent rot, the action OPENS, the ejector WORKS, and it DRY-FIRED!!! The ramrod was bent, but a little pressure and it started to straighten, I stopped because I was at work and didnt want to break anything. I was in uniform so I didnt play with it much, it got me dirty from the get go, so I have no idea what the bore looks like. But it is MUCH MUCH MUCH BETTER than I was expecting. I noticed the rear sight is bent, hopefully I can straighten it, or replace it if need be.

I leave tommorrow to be with family for Christmas, but when I return I will give it a good scrubbing and see what happens! I'm pumped, was looking at 24 gauge brass online, getting ready for reloads.
Eterry