[m16a2soldier]

Im a soldier that has a question for those who know about really old rifles. one of the bazaars here on post seems to be selling what appears to be a Mark II Artillery Carbine. Fella has several. average date stamped on them is around 1874-1881. says these rifles are authentic, but how do I know for sure? and if they are real, what would one's be approximate worth?
some info on what i ran into. large bore caliber unknown. single shot. has a lever underneath that opens the breech on top. seems to also have a ramrod of some kind. wooden stock. has what appears to be a cocking indicator on the right side. top of the action is grooved or hollowed out to apparently assist in loading maybe a paper cartridge? not sure. my geuss is an old british service rifle of some kind.
would appreciate any info on these weapons as I am considering bringing one home for historical value.

 

[Jack]

The second rifle you described sounds like a Martini actioned rifle, which would fit, as the British used one in the late 1800's. I'm no expert on those, but I'm sure someone here knows.
I do know there are a lot of fakes in that part of the world.

 

[pisgah]

Man, it would be hard to ascertain exavct models and authenticity without the right resources and a chance to examine the guns. That area has been a hotbed of home-manufactured guns for centuries. Some are excellent, functional copies, even down to markings, and some are pure junk.

Depending on price, I might buy just because they are old and legitimate historical example of the region's firearms, regardless of their exact origin.

 

[stinky]

What do you suppose that you are going to do w/it. Bring it back? Have you seen it done? The last time that I heard...it ain't possible and if you get caught, it would be your [email protected]

I once saw a ton of good stuff in amnesty barrels...awfully tempting. But, it would be your career.

 

[William Iorg]

Pisgah has it, copies of firearms made in Afghan and Pakistan villages have been the subject of multiple magazine articles and have been mentioned in a few books over time. Using primitive tools these craftsman have made some interesting copies of popular firearms. The American Rifleman once pictured a copy of a Webley revolver made from what appeared to be melted down paper clips or other similar soft metal. The grips were fashioned from reworked phonograph records. The pictured revolver looked well made.

Jack Lott wrote and article for the 1981 Gun Digest “The Afghan and His SMLE” about the Afghan gun making industry. There was at least one picture of a nice looking Martini in the article.

Darra is Still There and Still Makes Guns by Ray Rose in the 1995 Gun Digest about unmaking in Darra Pakistan.

It was not difficult to bring firearms back from Vietnam, just apply for the paper work. The problems were others trying to steal the guns from you during the process.

 

[m16a2soldier]

Stinky, to answer your question I am looking at bringing one back, but am doing my homework prior to purchase to see if it would be worth my time and money. and yes I am aware that copies and fakes are extremely prevalent in this area. not just of firearms, but also of just about everything else. some of what I've seen are almost certainly fakes or copies as they are dressed up in the local style with what resembles mother of pearl and similar materials.

 

[William Iorg]

Many of the copies have collector interest by themselves. Certainly some of the SMLE copies generate significant interest.
The copies of the Webley’s and some of the Martini’s are unique in the artisanship displayed in their manufacture. Often railroad tracks were ripped up for material and the only tools used were a brace and bit, cold chisel, hacksaw and file. For what they are, some of these guns are interesting to the collector - even if they have no significant monetary value.

 

[7 Ring]

What kind of paperwork drill do you have to go through to bring back a bolt action rifle to the U.S. ?