AR720 - .577/450 Wesley-Richards ZAR “Best” Martini rifle.
A very good Boer War rifle. One of the ZAR contract from Westley-Richards, utilising the Francotte action for the Martini, much easier to strip and clean than the standard Martini-Henry. This contract (1896-1899) had fitted 9 groove Henry style rifling rather than the standard 7 groove more commonly found, and reputedly shot better.
 
The ZAR, anxious to re-arm after the first Anglo-Boer War bought a number of various pattern Martini rifles, generally military Martini-Henry look-a-likes from the trade. However, during the 1890’s concerns were expressed as top the state of arms held within the ZAR (Zud Afrikaans Repulik) with a ratcheting-up of orders. Whilst many £4 martinis were acquired, a contract was negotiated with Westley-Richards for the “best improved Martini”. This is one of the less than 7000 “Best” Martini rifles in this first contract. In all less than 30,000 were supplied, not by any means were all “Best” Martinis “Specially made for ZAR”
 
In very very good condition indeed, lots of deep colour to all metalwork, clean woodwork