TOPIC:

Both in the Nov 2025 Holts sale, these two Boer rifles are obsolete calibre and need no permit or licence to possess.

Fine Modern & Antique Guns - November 2025 : Sale A1125 Lot 704
* AN 8x60Rmm PORTUGUESE STEYR GUEDES MODEL M1885/86 FALLING-BLOCK SERVICE RIFLE, serial no. 8110

Sold for £480

Lot 716 TRANSVAAL .577/450 'VIER POND' MARTINI-HENRY RIFLE, UNSIGNED, serial number ZAR 1953
Unsold - reserve £1000

Forummers may also be interested in a Natal contract carbine from the AZW
Sold for £550
www.holtsauctioneers.com/asp/fullcatalog...refno=234429&image=3
And a Cape contract rifle typically used by blockhouse guards and TGs
www.holtsauctioneers.com/asp/fullcatalog...o=++235422&saletype=
Sold for £900

Wilson55 sale 22 October 2025
www.wilson55.com/auction/lot/lot-51---we...sd=0&pp=96&pn=1&g=1#
Lot 51
Westley Richards ZAR 577/450 Martini Henry rifle, serial number 15459, stamped 'Specially Made for ZAR' (South African Republic, 'Zuid Afikaansche Republiek') Section 58 (2) Antique / obsolete calibre, can be owned without a licence.


Sold for £1150

Recently added to the Nov 2025 Holts sale, another ZAR Martini Henry. These are obsolete calibre and need no permit or licence to possess.
Sale A1125 Lot 751 a .577/.450 TRANSVAAL MARTINI-HENRY SERVICE RIFLE SIGNED WESTLEY RICHARDS dated 1897, with 32 1/2in. sighted barrel with Birmingham proof-marks plus 'HENRY RIFLING' and 'WESTLEY RICHARDS', nocksform with '24' and Westley Richards triangle containing '1897', right side of receiver with 'MADE SPECIALLY FOR / Z. A. R. (Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek), with 'WESTLEY RICHARDS' and triangle over, full stock, butt stamped '22' behind receiver, complete with clearing rod and sling.



Sold for £1900

Holts DECEMBER 2025 SEALED BID : SALE S1225 LOT 2001
* A TRANSVAAL .577/450 MARTINI-HENRY CUT-DOWN RIFLE, SIGNED WESTLEY RICHARDS, serial number 24336, circa late 1880s, with 20 3/4 in. sighted barrel, receiver marked with triangle and 'WESTLEY RICHARDS' on right side with 'MADE SPECIALLY FOR / ZAR' OVER, walnut stock with two barrel bands, the forward band with a bayonet lug; worn with some heavy knocks, cocking indicator absent, side screw enters through the wrong side of the receiver, rear sight bent and ladder broken, stock sanded leaving furniture standing 'proud', fore-end split, clearing rod and rear sling swivel absent, front sling swivel bent, barrel shortened or a possible replacement, 37 1/2 in. overall

Holts DECEMBER 2025 SEALED BID : SALE S1225 LOT 2004
A RARE TRANSVAAL .577/450 MARTINI-HENRY 'ROMANIAN' MODEL, SIGNED STEYR, serial number H 6406, dated 1883, with 20 1/2 in. sighted barrel stamped with Union of South Africa ownership mark, 'H6406' and '900', left side of receiver stamped with ornate OEWG mark containing 'STEYR * 1883', plus 'Z A R / 4735' and 'H 4608' over, bridge stamped 'D P' and Union of South Africa ownership mark, left side of butt with similar OEWG mark to left and various other marks including '6406', sporterised in the Boer fashion with shortened fore-end and barrel, clearing rod absent, ladder sight bent, stock heavily bruised with many deep dents plus chipped losses at the junction of the butt and the receiver, heel with a replaced large inlay, front barrel band from a British service rifle [WD and Enfield inspection marked], decommissioned with the barrel having been spiked through the insertion of a steel rod and a hole drilled through the bottom of the barrel, 37 1/2 in. overall length