New Nepal 1853 adventure

[Niner]

I got one of those Nepal Martini Henry rifles from Atlanta Cutlery a couple of weeks ago. I found a source that retails merchandise from Atlanta Cutlery and it was offering one of the Nepal 1853, "battle field pick-up" rifles, with free shipping and at 20% less than Atlanta Cutlery to boot. Looks like they are trying to unload inventory. Well....a fool and his money is often parted as we know, so I had to take a chance at $232. And.. the box shows it came from Atlanta Cutlery as advertised. The content of the box was a 1853 Nepal version of the 1853 Enfield. It looks to be in about the same shape as the Martini had been. The trigger has some issue but will have to wait until tomorrow to get more into the condition. The stock looks mostly good, but with a chunk out of it on one end of the lockplate.

http://www.redfordfilms.com/category/ma ... .antiques/

They did send some extra parts. The butt plate was gone but they sent me a new one as well as the screws and some extra barrel band springs. I had read that the butt plates, being brass, had been scavenged by the locals years ago so that wasn't much of a surprise.

I think I'll probably need a part or two for the lock, but Dixie Gun Works or somebody like should be able to supply replacements that will work.

I don't know what connection this company I bought this from , Redford Entertainment in San Marcus California has with Atlanta Cutlery but the invoice shows Atlanta Cutlery as the exchange or return form. And the UPS pick up was from a warehouse in Georgia. Mysterious.

[Niner]

So far it looks like it is shaping up to be a Wall hanger. I managed to break the lock spring when attempting to put it back in place after it came loose while cleaning. I had a time figuring out how to get the trigger guard off...until I noticed the pin.

Lots of repeating numbers all over this thing. At least the parts were expected to be matched to this particular rifle.

I noticed a few things different from my modern copy of an 1853 Enfield. The barrel bands don't have screws to tighten them and keep them in place...only pins. The ram rod on the Nepal rifle has no screw threads on the stock end and is narrower than the reproduction....except at one part of its length eight or ten inches from the load end where it is wider.

Oh well....it's a historical weapon that is lucky to still be around after all its been through in the last century and a half or there abouts. I think I can get it looking more presentable and get the lock to work again after ordering a few bits and pieces.

The nipple won't budge by the way. Have some WD40 working on it at the moment.

[Aughnanure]

I'd say that for the money you did well and for historical interest you've done extra well. I'm sure that I, and others, will look forward to the continuing story and the pics! Let's see the inside of that lock.

[Niner]

Ok, happen to have a couple more of the inside of the lock. Notice I had broken the mainspring already. The sear spring needs replacement too. Both parts about $10 judging from an old Dixie catalog.

[Niner]

Must be a second model of three. I found this on the internet at a parts place.


http://www.therifleshoppe.com/(736b).htm

As a result of complaints from the battle field of the Crimean War several modifications were made from the 1853 First Pattern Enfield resulting in the Second Pattern. The bands were changed to solid bands secured by band springs. The sides of the rear sight are now flat opposed to rounded on the first model. The wide front band helps hold the new improved ramrod in place, the ramrod now has a cleaning jag on the head and has a pronounced swell below the head to help hold it in place, still being a narrow rod. Locks are dated from 1855 to 1858.

[Aughnanure]

Don't suppose that you'll feel any better but that's a common place for main springs to break, even without the aid of a bit of corrosion. It'll be a wall hanger but one with a difference.

[dromia]

Whats the tube like Robert, is/was it rifled or is/was it a smooth bore?

[dromia]

BTW a 50/50 mix of ATF and Acetone makes a dammned good penetrating oil, better than WD 40.

[dromia]

If I get a chance I'll look up Roads see what he says.

[Niner]

The bore seems to have the faint indication of rifling. Did run a few patches through it but haven't given it a good look. The first couple of inches down the tube looks to be in decent shape, although dirty and perhaps a haze of rust. I wasn't expecting sharp, deep, rifling as the reproduction I have has only faint signs, which I suspect is correct.

If I get the nipple off I'll put the nipple end of the barrel in a bucket of hot soapy water and use the cleaning rod with tight patch to pump some soapy water through it as first significant cleaning.