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Holts DECEMBER 2025 SEALED BID : SALE S1225 Lot 2007
* A TRANSVAAL .577/450 'ZAR' MARTINI RIFLE SIGNED WESTLEY RICHARDS, serial number 23652, late 1890s, with 32 1/2 in. sighted barrel, falling block action, receiver marked with triangle and 'WESTLEY RICHARDS & Co', with ' MADE SPECIALLY FOR / Z A R' over, full stocked, a crude restoration, barrel a commercial replacement, all other metalwork cleaned with much deep pitting, stock with oil staining and heavily sanded, leaving the butt-plate significantly 'proud', the fore-end length with an added 1/2 in. rough wooden spacer between it and the receiver to accommodate the increased length of the barrel, losses where the butt meets the receiver, cleaning rod absent

Did not meet reserve of £200

Holts DECEMBER 2025 SEALED BID : SALE S1225 LOT 2055
* A .577/450 TRANSVAAL Z.A.R SPORTERISED MARTINI-HENRY RIFLE BY WESTLEY RICHARDS, serial no. 32105, dated 1898, with 20 1/2 in. barrel (shortened) stamped 'HENRY RIFLING' and 'WESTLEY RICHARDS', Birmingham proof-marks, Westley Richards triangle with date '1898', and stamped 'D. P.' [Drill Purposes], plus 'U' with Broad Arrow [Union of South Africa ownership mark], falling-block action, receiver with 'MADE SPECIALLY FOR Z.A.R.' on right, and 'WESTLEY RICHARDS' with a further on the left with a further Union of South Africa ownership mark and serial number under, walnut stock with chipped losses, butt stamped '1. 01 / U.T.G.' reduced forend, clearing rod absent, worn, foresight and rear barrel pin missing, back sight bent, all metalwork with rust patches

Sold for £160

Holts DECEMBER 2025 SEALED BID : SALE S1225 LOT 2074* A .577/450 MARTINI-HENRY SPORTING RIFLE, SIGNED J.S.F. BOTHA, no visible serial number, circa 1870s, with 28 1/2 in. sighted barrel with Birmingham proof-marks, falling block action with South African registration number 'WR89976', left side of receiver stamped with 'MADE IN ENGLAND FOR J.S.F. BOTHA / CAPE TOWN' within a circular belt, chequered forend with horn cap, worn, forend chequering smoothed, butt with wood filler where butt joins the receiver, chipped loss and heel, butt-plate rusted and dented, modern sling swivel in heel

Sold for £311

Holts FINE MODERN & ANTIQUE GUNS - NOVEMBER 2025 : SALE A1125 LOT 736
* A .577/.450 MARTINI-HENRY FALLING-BLOCK RIFLE BY WESTLEY RICHARDS & CO. 'MADE SPECIALLY FOR Z.A.R.', serial no. 21505
www.holtsauctioneers.com/asp/fullcatalog...o=++234440&saletype=

Sold for £600

Holt's sale
Fine Modern & Antique Guns - April 2026 : Sale A0426 Lot 702
* A RARE ROMANIAN .450 MARTINI SERVICE CARBINE, SIGNED WITTEN, serial no. 158,dated 1879, with 22 1/2in. barrel, falling-block action, unmarked receiver, left side of butt with 'WITTEN / 1879' crown and belt roundel, fore-end stamped '158', refinished, missing clearing rod.
Note from Rob D: A substantial number of these carbines ended up in the ZAR.