TOPIC:

Kaapse Rebel
The only marking I am familiar with is the representation of ELG; which is a Belgian proof mark. Many .45" MH rifles were made in Belgium during the currency of the type in the UK. They also had a good repruation.
Regards
IL.

Recovered in the N.E. Transvaal
Owned by a Boer?
Confiscated & destroyed by the British?
Repaired by a Tribesman.







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This seems to be an commercial Martini Henry of a similar pattern to that of the Westley Richards Improved Martini Henrys bought by the ZAR. This rifle was not made by Westley Richards, but rather by Jeffery & Co., making it a commercially purchased weapon. This pattern deviates from the British military Mk.IV pattern through the lack of a long lever. This manufacturer is easily identified by its large and elaborate crest on the right side of the receiver. The shortened fore stock is characteristic of Boer owned rifles. Boers liked to shorten the fore stocks of full length stock rifles in order to reduce weight. The rifle has had its original butt stock replaced by a hand made stock. Repairs and part replacements like this are seen quite often on rifles which have spent many years in the South African veld.

Also interestingly, stock replacements took place in large scale some time in 1900 in Potchefstroom. After British forces burned a large quantity of rifles, the Potchefstroomers took it upon themselves to make new stocks for these otherwise fully functional rifles. General Christiaan de Wet was so impressed by their efforts that he had a photo of himself taken with the 200th restored Mauser in August of that year.

It would seem that this particular rifle was struck multiple times by a hammer, so it is quite likely that this rifle was captured by British forces and thereafter damaged beyond repair, meaning that it possibly belonged to a Boer.
A very interesting piece indeed.

This link leads to a rifle very similar to your example: www.tapatalk.com/groups/britishmilitaria...ffery-co-t21806.html

Thank you;

J.I.W

Attached is an image of the Jeffery and Co crest, and the photo of De Wet with the 200th repaired Mauser.

The reason stocks needed replacing ....

"Disabling" rifles at Fort Johannesburg.







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Interestingly, note the Winchester 1873 lever action rifle, the Westley Richards 1871 tipping block rifle (Controversially known as the Majuba Martini), and a Martini of the same pattern as Terry Wilson's example having its stock smashed.

For all we know, that could be Terry's!