.303 martini's

H Wally

H Wally

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Super GunNutz
Rating - 100%
193   0   0
Location
Canada/New Zealand
Hi all - didn't know whether it should go in milsurps or antiques, figured you guys would be able to set me right.

What's a martini henry chambered in .303 worth?

I know, I know, depends on condition, markings, etc, but lets say for the sake of arguement that it's a sportered truck gun (good bore, good action, rough wood and finish). Any ideas? I've only ever seen one on the EE and can't find any for sale on the net to get an idea.
 
Hmmk - Sounds fair enough. Martini seems to be the only lever, turn of the century rifle that's chambered in a "modern" cartridge that's in my price range. Heck, I'd put in the extra money for a rolling block in 303 or 7.62x54R but they just don't seem to exist.
 
H Wally said:
Hmmk - Sounds fair enough. Martini seems to be the only lever, turn of the century rifle that's chambered in a "modern" cartridge that's in my price range. Heck, I'd put in the extra money for a rolling block in 303 or 7.62x54R but they just don't seem to exist.
Click to expand...

You probably don't want either of those cartridges in a RB action that close to your face anyways.

About the closest to a "modern" cartridge that was made in a Roller was the 7mm Mauser, and even then, you want to watch your pressures. They were made into the early 1900's, by Remington.

The Martini is a pretty solidly built action, when you start to compare it to the roller. A lot more steel, to hold things together.

Be careful of the 303 Martini "Khyber Pass" guns, too. There are quite a few floating around, and while the odds of getting hold of one are slim enough, the consequences of one blowing up make it worth knowing what to look for as far as signs to watch out for.

Cheers
Trev
 
Last edited:
trevj said:
You probably don't want either of those cartridges in a RB action that close to your face anyways.

About the closest to a "modern" cartridge that was made in a Roller was the 7mm Mauser, and even then, you want to watch your pressures. They were made into the early 1900's, by Remington.

The Martini is a pretty solidly built action, when you start to compare it to the roller. A lot more steel, to hold things together.

Be careful of the 303 Martini "Khyber Pass" guns, too. There are quite a few floating around, and while the odds of getting hold of one are slim enough, the consequences of one blowing up make it worth knowing what to look for as far as signs to watch out for.

Cheers
Trev
Click to expand...


Very good advice - I had pretty much given up on the rolling blocks anyways. I figure once I've found a martini enfield I'll get the advice of those more in the know so that I don't end up with a "piece of the mid-east" lodged in my forehead:p
 
Last edited:
IIRC, I paid $300. for mine from Epps a couple of years ago. Bore was a mess- rough and pitted. I got a Lee-Enfield NºIII barrel from a fellow on CGN and had Epps install it. Haven't had it out much since, alas, but it's on the "to do" list. (Story of my life!)

They're nice rifles. I think John Sukey (a CGN member from the U.S.) has one which he also fitted with a NºIII barrel, and added the forend wood and hardware from a NºIII as well, and it looks really sharp!

:) Stuart
 
Remington rolling block was factory made in .303" and 7.62x54R. Many thousands of them in 7.62 were made for Russia in 1915.
 
green said:
Remington rolling block was factory made in .303" and 7.62x54R. Many thousands of them in 7.62 were made for Russia in 1915.
Click to expand...

I didna know that. Got a cite for the Russian rollers?

The History of Remington Firearms does not mention any number of Rollers being made for Russia, in the sections that I could find online, but it does say that Remington nearly lost their shirt on Moisin Nagant bolt guns ordered by the Czarist's in 1916-17(a million of them) and defaulted upon when they were overthrown.

I wouldn't be surprised, though, as Remington pounded out thousands of the actions for doing "conversions" over the years, mainly for export, as well as making literally millions of complete rifles, and farming out the rights to make Rolling blocks in a bunch of directions.

I have been able to find references to Rem Rollers being made for France, in 8mm Lebel, up to 1917 (same ref as above).

The only ref I have found so far for a Roller in .303, was a not very successful sporter that did not sell very well in the one year that they produced them in the Factory. But they did make them. Also in 30-30, and 30-40 Govt.

Check out http://books.google.ca/books?id=jAm...X&oi=book_result&resnum=36&ct=result#PPA66,M1
It seems to be arranged fairly much in chronological order.

If you get Arms Collector Magazine, or know someone that does, there was a pretty good article on the Rolling Blocks as used to convert old military stock Muskets to breech loaders. It provides a pretty good insight into the sales tactics of the time, and makes mention of some of the things done in the Surplus trade much later on, mentioning the viewing of barrels full of Roller actions, the only parts saved, from stripped down military firearms.

Cheers
Trev
 
It would be interesting to see a rolling block in one of those calibers. They must exist somewhere... possibly it's one of those things that they're common as dirt in some parts of europe but no one has even heard of them here.

Trev - thanks for that link - too bad they blocked all the info on rolling blocks except for the pistols and the 8mm lebel.
 
H Wally said:
It would be interesting to see a rolling block in one of those calibers. They must exist somewhere... possibly it's one of those things that they're common as dirt in some parts of europe but no one has even heard of them here.

Trev - thanks for that link - too bad they blocked all the info on rolling blocks except for the pistols and the 8mm lebel.
Click to expand...

Oh?:confused:

I read about 15 pages, mostly rolling block stuff. Then there were several pages of more "modern guns" then the late RB and MN stuff, around page 66.

Hit the link and scroll right to the top, wait for the pages to load. Dunno. It works for me.

(edit: I am able to see pages 48 to 72 complete. Lots of RB info there. Dunno!)

Cheers
Trev
 
Last edited:
Well I'll be darned - seems I'm not only slow but blind! Seems I enlarged them and didn't see most of the pages when I scrolled through.

Very good info - thanks!
 
If you're looking for an antique / blackpowder Martini Henry, I'm pretty sure it can not be in .303 (they are not antique). You could get one in the original 577/450 chambering, they are deffinitely antique and bp.


H Wally said:
Hi all - didn't know whether it should go in milsurps or antiques, figured you guys would be able to set me right.

What's a martini henry chambered in .303 worth?

I know, I know, depends on condition, markings, etc, but lets say for the sake of arguement that it's a sportered truck gun (good bore, good action, rough wood and finish). Any ideas? I've only ever seen one on the EE and can't find any for sale on the net to get an idea.
Click to expand...
 
No worries on the antique bit, I'm actually trying to avoid the old calibers as I'm trying to limit the number of calibers I reload for right now. I'm also trying to avoid bp cartridge ammo, as I'm already new to the reloading scene, and I don't want to complicate things too much. 303 in a martini or 303/7.62x54R in a remington would suit me wonderfully.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom