Boer War Firearms

[BBCT]

My post to another thread copied to here as per pegasusdion's request:

Not actually Boer War as far as I know, but it's a Conehammer C96 so the era is correct:

https://www.gunsite.co.za/forums/sho...ndle-Mauser-ID

Would be interested to hear your comments on this one. I have better photos now, but don't have the energy to upload & link them at the moment.

[pegasusdion]

Thank you for the post BBCT.

Iterestingly, the ZAR government officially purchased 100 broom handle mauser's in June 1898.

However, it is impossible to determine which batch of pistols they originate from. It is most likely though that they were between the serial number 1000 to 4000 and between 10000 to 12000. These would almost certainly have been of the conehammer variation.

It is well known that Broomhandle mausers were used during the Boer war by both sides. Winston Churchill was known to carry one.

The C-96's which were used would have been the conehammer and the Large ring slab side variants. Many Boer officers can be seen carrying a broomhandle mauser with many in the cross draw position.

I was very fortunate to have acquired the broomhamdle mauser that was carried by Genl Jan Smuts during the war. It was
a large Ring, slab side variant. I traded this pistol years later with an absolute gentle
man who has helped me build my collection considerably.

In would say, grab the broomhandle if u can. Check it properly and pm me for my number and you can send me whatts app pics or post the here. I will gladly assist if I can.

There are huge volunes of info on the net reagarding broomhandle mausers.

Well done on a good find.
Go for it

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[pegasusdion]

Clearing rods

As many of us already know, original clearing rods for the older rifles are as scarce as hens teeth and most specialist tool makers will not take on a small nuisance job.

I have found a reliable manufacturer who is prepared to make clearing rods and the workmanship is excellent. These will be made between jobs and as time allows. Once he has a specific template on record he will be able to manufacture as required.

I am hoping that members support this initiative as it would help members to obtain scarce clearing and cleaning rods and hopefully some members would be prepared to allow me to copy their original rods should I not be able to find one.

I will be having several variants of rods made. If members are looking for a particular rod, please let me know as I may have an original.

I am having a replica Gueddes clearing rod made from 4.5mm Silver Steel. Should any members wish to have one made as well, please e-mail me at boerwarcollector@gmail.com

Cost is R945 each excl postage. I will only take payment once they have been made.

I will post details as and when I have other rods made.



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[Luker]

I am looking for a Martini Henry Mk 11 cleaning rod as discussed.

Also looking for a .577/.450 reloading die set.

[pegasusdion]

I will be having Mk11 rods made. Will post when

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[pegasusdion]

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[pegasusdion]

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[Steven001]

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I was hoping to see some new Boer War Firearm pictures but all I see is dots...........................?

[Terrylee]

The Boer War Long Lees

Attachment 33342
Lee Metford Rifles Mk I*, Mk II, II* & Cavalry Carbine.

Attachment 33341
Lee Enfield Rifles Mk I, I* & Cavalry Carbines Mk I, Mk I*.

[pegasusdion]

Hi All

Unfortunately, I have been extremely busy over recent months but am once again in a position to contribute to this thread. I have been fortunate enough to recently become the custodian of several Boer War firearms of which I will post further information in the coming weeks.

Below is an extract from a previous post for information purposes.

"As the years pass, collectors of historical firearms and militaria find it ever more difficult to find that elusive piece, that show stopper, that piece that just takes your breath away and allows you to travel through time.

THE MONKEY TAIL

It was a capping breach loader and is a transitional breech loading system developed in the mid-nineteenth century, it is a firearm which is loaded at the breech but fired by means of a percussion cap placed on an external nipple. It is one of the stages that firearm design passed through before development of the metallic self-contained center-fire cartridge.

Substantial numbers of these monkey tail rifles were obtained for British infantry troop trials, and further experiments were carried out with Patternh 1853 Enfield rifles converted to breech loading by this.

The Monkey-Tail was a favourite of the Boers at the time and it was to be this weapon that the Boers turned on the British in the first Boer War of 1881, and to great effect, the majority of the 500 Boers who defeated 647 British soldiers at Majuba , carried the Monkey Tail. By European standards an obsolete weapon. The model favoured by the Boers was a short rifle version with a 24” barrel, easy to handle on horseback, yet slightly longer than the standard cavalry carbine, allowing extra-long range accuracy. It is said that Boer boys learned to shoot at an early age and were not considered proficient until they could hit a hen’s egg at a 100 yds. with a Monkey Tail.

I am extremely fortunate to own a Westley Richards 1883 OVS Martini as well as the Westley Richard's 1883 Monkey Tail."

The latest Magnum magazine features article in which Dr Ron Bester shows an extremely scarce Monkey Tail with the OVS coat of arms engraved on the patch box.

I was very fortunate to acquire a similar rifle sold by E.M. Reilly. These rifles are extremely scarce and are an absolute privilege to handle.


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