Birds Of A Feather: The Martini And Guedes Rifles

In this video Dave looks at a captured British Army Martini-Henry rifle, and a brief Boer favorite, the Portuguese Guedes rifle.
You can purchase any of the three books in the Carvings from the Veldt series here: www.boerwarrifl...
Or you can purchase from these suppliers in a country near you to save on freight costs!:
USA: Leo Hamel in California: [e-mail]
UK: Jeremy Tenniswood in Colchester: [e-mail]
Germany: Ulrich Sander, US Books: [e-mail]
South Africa: Sue Hahn in Cape Town: [e-mail]
New Zealand: Neil Reed in Whangarei: [e-mail]

[@Worsdier]

There’s no better way to start the day than with a new video from Carvings from the veld. (6am in South Africa.)

[@carvingsfromtheveldt5945]

Hi and many thanks for your kind comments. I am glad you enjoy our videos. Cheers, Dave G.

[@carvingsfromtheveldt5945]

Hello Worsdier, Many thanks for your kind words. Baie dankie ou maat, en alles van die beste. Dave G.

[@malandewaal8522]

Great video! One of the few I could find with an actual Guedes rifle featured, glad to finally have something to compare mine to. I had no idea the top ZAR stamp was rare, I must have gotten extremely lucky with mine, low serial number as well

[@noahcount7132]

Your videos get better and better, Dave. In addition to being one of the most interesting military history TH-cam channels, it may also be the most unusual.

[@carvingsfromtheveldt5945]

Hi Noah. Many thanks for your kind comments and your on-going support. It is pleasing to know that you enjoy our videos. Cheers, Dave G.

[@alicialecroix411]

Been waiting for this Video Thank you David and hope your safe with the fires at the moment.

[@carvingsfromtheveldt5945]

Hi Alicia, and many thanks for your kind comments. Luckily, the bush fires are not too close to us. A real tragedy for many poor people. Cheers, Dave G.

[@MichaelJenkins910]

Thank you for this. I've developed an interest in the Guedes rifle and in watching your video I was finally able to see it "live" and get a sense of how it works.

[@carvingsfromtheveldt5945]

Hi Michael Glad you enjoyed the Guedes video. My apologies for the delay. I am 72 and not 'pc Savvy'...so I did not know "Where" to see your reply!! I have owned two Guedes rifles in my life, and have kept this one, as it has a Boer's name carved onto the butt. Thanks for watching and for your comments, Cheers, Dave G.

[@marcgardiner6278]

I've read that Boers armed with Martinis were often condemned by their Mauser wielding compatriots to positions far away from their firing positions, as the black powder Martinis would reveal their position by issuing forth bellows of smoke.
I would imagine the Guedes was also derided for the same reason.
A Portuguese speaking friend has told me the correct pronunciation of Guedes (in Portuguese) is Goo-ee-tsh.
Thanks for a great series!

[@tomhirons7475]

my 1888 mauser repeater, probably had a similar effect on those around

[@carvingsfromtheveldt5945]

Hi Marc,
Interesting. The Boers also very cleverly used the Black Powder Martinis for deception - eg; firing from another position to distract the British. Interesting pronunciation of the name Guedes. Cheers, Dave G.

[@tomhirons7475]

@@carvingsfromtheveldt5945 didnt think of it that way, clever.

[@antrog1895]

I noticed a few men not sporting the full bushy 'Boer' beard in the photo, and one ( bottom right) none at all, possibly a young son of one of the older men?
I'll have to be honest in your earlier videos all these rifles looked the same to me, but I'm getting to see the differences now.
I think it's important that a chap knows his Martinis from his Mausers 😀
Cheers

[@tomhirons7475]

I am learning more also Ant.

[@carvingsfromtheveldt5945]

Hi Ant,
While the 'average' Johnny Boer often sported a full 'bushy beard', there were younger men and men from the cities who were clean shaven, or had 'trimmed' beards. Cheers, Dave G.

[@pointynotsharp8436]

Just curious if the Guedes has butterfly like inspection stamps on the barrel bands and receiver? I'm doing some research into the Portguese M1886 kropatschek bayonet, originally designed for the guedes. It has this marking like a double sided 3. It's also on the Kropatschek rifle. It's not on other steyr rifles or portugese rifles of the period. It has me stumped for now

[@carvingsfromtheveldt5945]

I only have one Guedes left in my collection. There are no markings on the B-Bands. Regards, Dave G.

[@tomhirons7475]

i have a 1888 repeating mauser Used in the Boer war, my uncle lives in south africa, and in 80s used to collect like yourself, i have 2 rifles.

[@carvingsfromtheveldt5945]

Thanks for sharing your interest. "Happy Collecting". Cheers, Dave G.

[@Foche_T._Schitt]

I don't think I've ever come across a Guedes Rifle in the states.

[@carvingsfromtheveldt5945]

It also took me many years to find a Good one. Dave G.

[@leroy5743]

Lekker

[@carvingsfromtheveldt5945]

Hello Leroy, Dankie ou Maat. Groete, Dave G.