Martini henry re barrel questions
- Thread starter JTF#
- Start date
antiqueguy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- windsor ontario
they will all fit but whats the point id not bubba a martini especially a MK 1 not meny of those left.
if the barrel is pitted to where it cant be used hang it on the wall really though minor pitting would not do a thing these barrels are thick and wih BP it will not matter much
if the barrel is pitted to where it cant be used hang it on the wall really though minor pitting would not do a thing these barrels are thick and wih BP it will not matter much
How hard to remove is probably going to vary with the gun. You will probably need a barrel vice (ie a pair of brass blocks that match the barrel diameter) and some form of action wrench so that you do not twist the frame. For going back in, I would suggest having access to a metal lathe so that if the new barrel does not index properly, you can move the shoulder forward until it does and then obviously move the chamber forward by the same amount. If you are lucky you may have to move the shoulder only slightly and there may be enough clearance in the chamber that you do not have to touch it
cheers mooncoon
Cottage Hill Bill
CGN Regular
- Location
- Pensacola, FL USA
If the MH is chambered for 577/450 you cannot do just a simple barrel swap to convert to .303. The firing pin hole has to have a bushing installed, the firing pin has to be changed and the extractor has to be modified. A Lee-Enfield No.1 barrel (any mark) has the same threads but it is not just a matter of screwing it in. The barrel has to be shortened at the breech slightly, I believe by about one thread, it has to be properly indexed and a second extractor slot cut. Then it has to be rechambered. If you are a gunsmith you can probably do the job. If you are not you stand a very good chance of ruining the rifle. If you do not have access to the proper wrenches to remove the barrel, a milling machine to modify the breech block and a .303 chamber reamer it is a certainty you will muck it up. No aspersions on your mechanical ability but there is a minimum basic tool set required to do the job.
As others have stated a MkI Martini Henry in almost any shape is certainly worth more than anything you can make it into. If what you want is a .303 Martini then either look for one that was arsenal converted, or made as a .303. Or pick up a Martini action or one of the smoothbored forage guns to convert.
As others have stated a MkI Martini Henry in almost any shape is certainly worth more than anything you can make it into. If what you want is a .303 Martini then either look for one that was arsenal converted, or made as a .303. Or pick up a Martini action or one of the smoothbored forage guns to convert.
antiqueguy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- windsor ontario
there is a mk 1 barrel in EE a new stock can be had through boyds stocks MK 4 forend wood will not work on a early pattern martini
idk why anyone would want anything but the right barrel on a gun anyone into martinis can spot a mk 4 barrel alsoway mess up a compleat mk 4
I'm guessing you want to make a "Platypuss"!
This isn't mine and I'm darned if I can remember where I got the info. Possibly on the Martini-Henry forum
I think there's a CGN member from Tuscon AZ who has a similar one. (But of course I can't remember his name either!)
I had Ellwood Epps put a MkI barrel on a shot-out Martini .303, and yes, they made the necessary mods. to the chamber area, although it didn't need a bushed firing pin as it was already chambered for .303 British. The big challenge will be to lighten and smoothen the trigger pull as at the moment mine is about 15 lbs!
I'm guessing you want to make a "Platypuss"!
This isn't mine and I'm darned if I can remember where I got the info. Possibly on the Martini-Henry forum
I think there's a CGN member from Tuscon AZ who has a similar one. (But of course I can't remember his name either!)
I had Ellwood Epps put a MkI barrel on a shot-out Martini .303, and yes, they made the necessary mods. to the chamber area, although it didn't need a bushed firing pin as it was already chambered for .303 British. The big challenge will be to lighten and smoothen the trigger pull as at the moment mine is about 15 lbs!
In the "Gunsmithing Projects" compilation published by Shotgun News, there's a 2-part article (from year 2010?) about this very thing. The author called it a "hybrid Martini".
I was thinking of doing the same with mine when Marstar announced their discovery of massive amounts of Enfield wood in a Greek warehouse, but after waiting and waiting and waiting..... I just gave up. I may source the wood out of the US eventually when the project takes my fancy again. In the meantime I should probably try and find that Shotgun News article.
Stuart- Location
- Tucson, Arizona
That's my SMLETINI. Shoots very well. I started with just an action, a spare SMLE barrel, a forend that was broken in the arse end, and a buttstock Got the Idea when I visited the Pattern room in the U.K. as they had one there. apparently some were built and issued to the Home Guard during the war. More useful than a War Office pike!
Shaken, not stirred, I presume?
Thanks for chiming in, John. Old age must be finally kicking in because I couldn't remember your name,although I did remember you're from Tucson. I wasn't sure if that was yours (from the Martini-Henry forum?); you once sent me a picture (as in an olde-tyme actual pho-to-graph) of it on your front porch. I must find it, scan it and post it here.
StuartI was thinking of doing the same with mine when Marstar announced their discovery of massive amounts of Enfield wood in a Greek warehouse, but after waiting and waiting and waiting..... I just gave up. I may source the wood out of the US eventually when the project takes my fancy again. In the meantime I should probably try and find that Shotgun News article.
I believe it was April and May 2010. I ordered the complete Projects book ( a large paperback), under $30 including shipping. I'm not in a position to attempt any of those kind of projects but it's fun to read about them anyway.
