BSA Martini

[bearhunter]

The International models have a spring loaded, trigger fired, extractor, that fires the empty out and you have no real say in the amount of effort that it puts in.

Essentially, the block coming down hits a trigger/sear unit that 'fires' the extractor.
The block closing, re-cocks the mechanism.

The International models have almost NOTHING in common with the regular BSA Martini Actions!

I must admit, I mixed up the Model 12 MkII International, which I never owned, with a couple of BSA Model 12/15 match rifles I owned.

Your description really got me curious so I looked up the Model 12 International to look at its operating mechanism. They do have very aggressive extraction and fling the empties.

 

[tiriaq]

They also have an adjustable trigger capable of very fine tuning.

 

[ted_dent]

Boyd's used to make Martini stocks for just about every receiver variation. They still ship to Canada

They don`t seem to be listing anything under BSA or Martini now. Too bad.

 

[trevj]

They don`t seem to be listing anything under BSA or Martini now. Too bad.

I have read (but have no first hand experience) that a Winchester Model 12 Shotgun stock is a reasonably easy fit-up on to a Martini action.

Other than Treebone, it seems to be pretty much a DIY operation.

 

[bearhunter]

Country Spares out of the UK has the rifles and parts, including R/L hand for sale.


Martini - Rifle Spares - Gun Spares - John Knibbs


BSA Martini Butt Stock Right Hand Part No. 171043
BSA Martini Butt Stock Right Hand Part No. 171043
£100.00
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[tiriaq]

Scope mounting bracket for Mk. II International:

 

[grauhanen]

For readers in general, the BSA Martini Mk2 and Mk3 rifles can be scoped several ways, including using an EGW Winchester 52 base mounted on the barrel block nearest the receiver. The manufacturer, EGW, says the same mount also works on other makes of rifles.

 

[bearhunter]

tiriaq, that looks good and should be very solid

 

[Meobius]

By far my favorite rifle. It's one of my most accurate, and the most fun to shoot. I can usually get off 10 rounds accurately in roughly 2 minutes. Sorely tempted to get more of them

 

[enefgee]

I'm going to have to get one in 303 now. The question is "new" or "previously subjugating"

 

[bearhunter]

I'm going to have to get one in 303 now. The question is "new" or "previously subjugating"

Well, you won't find a new one.

They can be found in both rifle and carbine lengths. Carbines fetch a high price and the rifles, in VG to EXC condition can also be expensive.

These rifles are loaded with history. They've been used in conflicts all over Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa and by Canada's military

When you find the earlier rifles, check the bore, some may be worn but many only appear to be. They actually have Metford style rifling, which has rounded rifling and look washed out, unlike Enfield rifling which is square on the edges.

577/450 Martini–Henry, rechambering the rifle for use with the newly introduced . 303 British cartridge. Whilst most Martini–Enfields were converted rifles, a number were newly manufactured as well.

There are different marks of actions, with different configurations. All are strong enough for the 303 British milspec pressures and then some.

I have one of the large actions chambered in 7x65R, which is similar in performance to the 280 Rem. Mine safely pushes a 162 grain bullet 2800fps.

I have a small "cadet", with the heavy sidewall receiver, chambered for the 225Win, hot little cartridge.

 

[trevj]

I'm going to have to get one in 303 now. The question is "new" or "previously subjugating"

Unless you got a hard on for the British Colonial history, and are shopping for equipment representative of that, consider getting your hands on the big Martini actioned guns before you part with any money.

They do not have anywhere the feel of the small frame or International models from BSA.

 

[pmatuk]

have a 303 that Bevan and I made in 13 , is very comfortable to use .It is very custom and scoped and does not look traditional
the top is 303 and the lower is a 22LR by bone hill

 

[enefgee]

Those are beautiful.

 

[crooked barrel jed]

Pmatuk, those are very Nice! I don't suppose we could trouble you for some more pics?

 

[pmatuk]

dug them out as the firs pic was an old one, so here are a few fresh ones

 

[bearhunter]

have a 303 that Bevan and I made in 13 , is very comfortable to use .It is very custom and scoped and does not look traditional
the top is 303 and the lower is a 22LR by bone hill
View attachment 445620

How is the bore in that Bonehill??? I picked up three of them from International and all had sewer pipe bores. I used all of them for basic custom build chassis. Had to replace the breech blocks with center fire blocks, which were available and cheap at the time. Nice actions. The triggers/tumblers were already stoned for smooth let off and it required very little work to adjust the springs for already fast/sharp let offs and lock times.

 

[bearhunter]

Those rifles are lovely. Nothing quite like Martinis.

Did the stocks come from Boyd's??

One thing about them, they either fit you or they don't. Hence, may folks, such as Pmatuk and Bevin King fitted them with stocks that were more suited to the individual shooter.

Back in the period those rifles were originally built, humans were statistically smaller and the rifles were built accordingly. Today, a lot of shooters find there is way to much drop on the combs and the stocks are to short. Not to bad for shooting from the bench or prone but not conducive to most hunting conditions.

I take out my 7x65R or as issued 303 British a couple of times every year, just because it feels good to nurture the nostalgic bone. They are easily capable of minute of boiler room on any Deer or Bear out to 200 yards. More, if my eyes were better.

My scoped, 25 maxi has taken Coyotes past 300 yards, with its Leupold LER, 2X.

 

[crooked barrel jed]

Pmatuk, thanks. I haven't seen a .22 on a full size military action before

 

[pmatuk]

I had acquired 2 of these and kept this one ,the other was a full length stock with the barrel sleeved (parker field) 29".Both bores are clean and sharp and this one is 30.5" barrel and just had more character than the full length stocked one
both shot about the same and nearly silent with the CCI 710 fps ammo