BSA Martinin 22 LR C Broadarrow marked

[bdft]

I picked up a BSA Martini target rifle yesterday in 22 LR with C Broadarrow markings on the stock. Where were these guns used? Were they actually used in training or by cadets? Or were they used is specific competitions?

 

[HuskyDude]

Here's some good reading for ya.

https://www.rifleman.org.uk/BSA_Model_12.html

 

[tiriaq]

Cadets.

 

[skwerl]

Here's some good reading for ya.

https://www.rifleman.org.uk/BSA_Model_12.html

Right , for those of us who can't read we need pics ...

 

[HuskyDude]

So I guess that means...no pics...okay

 

[bdft]

I've been kind of busy today. Give me a minute.

 

[bdft]

 

[HuskyDude]

Thx bdft...for my fix of "Eye Candy" !! LOL
Very Nice.
How long is your barrel ? That might be a Model 6 ??

Have to admitted I never knew that marking was a Canadian “C/Broad Arrow"

Honestly just thought it was the BSA "3 standing rifles" Logo in the letter C.

Thx for the thread and everyone else for the info.

Edit:
Found another pic of the C/Broad Arrow

Might be time for some stronger glasses....

 

[Rod B]

A nice older BSA Martini. I'm betting it shoots extremely well.

 

[jtaylor]

Hi bdft. The Ross Cadet .22 rifle Model 1912 didn't last too long as it was prone to breakage. Just after WW1 Canada could not get the .22 SMLE training rifles from Brit ordnance stores as there were few surviving examples and all were being used by the Brit army. So they bought
a few thousand Martini target rifles. Most were the No. 8. An ad of the No.12 with a barrel mounted sight was posted. There was a No. 10 that was exactly as the No.8 but longer and weighed the same as an SMLE rifle. Often you see a date stamped on the brass or steel butt disc. Yours is from the 1538 CC rifle No. 5 . Your No.8 appears to have the front sight globe replaced. If you want a pic of the original just send me your e-mail. I remember seeing one in a Cadet Corps arsenal way back when that had a light barrel and smaller action. Usually butt discs show dates of 1922 to 1926 for issue. I have a team pic dated 1923. The rifles are excellent but the ammo back then was crap so some survivors have crap bores. As these were often used to death rifling is often well worn. A handy gun used by Cadet corps for target use and competitions. There is an English web sight that shows the available models back then. Old Parker Hale catalogues will show some of the variations available too. JOHN

 

[kayceel]

Barrel is stamped .22L for chambering. Were they chambered in .22 Long or .22Long Rifle?

 

[kayceel]

My bad! Yes, I need new glasses! A second perusal and I found the .220 Long Rifle barrel stamp.

 

[bdft]

Hi bdft. The Ross Cadet .22 rifle Model 1912 didn't last too long as it was prone to breakage. Just after WW1 Canada could not get the .22 SMLE training rifles from Brit ordnance stores as there were few surviving examples and all were being used by the Brit army. So they bought
a few thousand Martini target rifles. Most were the No. 8. An ad of the No.12 with a barrel mounted sight was posted. There was a No. 10 that was exactly as the No.8 but longer and weighed the same as an SMLE rifle. Often you see a date stamped on the brass or steel butt disc. Yours is from the 1538 CC rifle No. 5 . Your No.8 appears to have the front sight globe replaced. If you want a pic of the original just send me your e-mail. I remember seeing one in a Cadet Corps arsenal way back when that had a light barrel and smaller action. Usually butt discs show dates of 1922 to 1926 for issue. I have a team pic dated 1923. The rifles are excellent but the ammo back then was crap so some survivors have crap bores. As these were often used to death rifling is often well worn. A handy gun used by Cadet corps for target use and competitions. There is an English web sight that shows the available models back then. Old Parker Hale catalogues will show some of the variations available too. JOHN

Thank you sir. I was wondering why they used these rifles instead of the Lee Enfield trainers. Yes the front sight has been replaced with a blade and it's missing the centre sling swivel but other than that it seems complete. It still has a fair bit of rifling too. Hopefully I get time to try it out in the next few days.

 

[HuskyDude]

Next to an Anschutz target I acquired my Martinis are very good shooters.

What length barrel does your Martini have?

 

[bdft]

25" OAL. I found the proper front sight and inserts on Ebay and have them coming. I still need to find the center sling swivel eye for the target sling. Might as well put it back together properly.

 

[HuskyDude]

Did the same for a Parker-Hale rear peep sight from EBay UK.

Wasn't in the best of shape, but it did resort okay.

 

[bdft]

I love those old sights. Every part machined. Nothing stamped or cast. Intricate parts that are threaded with precision. More of a machine tool than a rifle sight.

 

[enefgee]

I have one from the later order - there were 2 orders, the earlier order was during the 1920's, the later one was during the 1930's. The later rifles were ordered with a nonstandard barrel, BSA would make a rifle with any barrel you wanted to order, assuming you had the cash. The procurement tradition of ordering oddball stuff as a Canadian requirement (and thus increasing cost) started so long ago it's no wonder it's now a religion. Mine is, for some odd reason, a takedown version. If anyone has a cocking indicator they aren't using, feel free to PM me, mine's missing.

 

[albayo]

Nice No 12
My No 12 has a loose barrel how do you fix it?
My International shoots great but I am looking for a scope and rings that will fit on the factory PH bases.
I shoot my Greener Martini off hand in the metal silhouette shoots.

 

[diopter]