I have been flashing this pic around like a proud new father, my resto project, a 303 Martini Enfield Trade Pattern Short Rifle.
I just got the forearm fitted and the rifle is taking shape.
When I bought it as a sporter, I thought it was a Bubba special of a Martini Henry action mounted with an SMLE barrel. The Martini and Sht LE use the same barrel threads, it is a straight forward switch needing the barrel to be indexed and to have relief cut in the face for the extractor. Basicly, a simple a screw on assembly. However, this turns out not to be a modified an SMLE barrel although it is the same length and profile. These rifles were special built by the trade and sold to the civilian market. There is no military equivalent of this rifle.
I bought it as a donor rifle for another Martini project, but i made the mistake of shooting it first. It is a tack driver, it ejects with a 'ping' as it throws the brass out and behind. I love it!
So I was lucky enough to come accross original replacements for butt and forearm. Although from different sources, the finish and patina are a close match. I just cleaned them with fine steel wool and linseed oil to remove the years of oxidation and crud. I was careful not to spoil the nice old patina, all the dings and handling marks are still there. I then gave the wood many coatings of hand rubbed boiled linseed oil.
The rear sight was a home made receiver sight which I removed. I fitted and soldered a sight base from a MLE onto the barrel, which actualy is correct. I used a leaf from a Martini of some kind. It has a tall leaf cap which I needed for sight line and the leaf scale is ranged out to 1900 yds.
The metalwork is dark turning plumb. I just cleaned it with fine steel wool and gun oil and left it at that. The finish looks old and worn, used but not abused. Nothing wrong with honest wear, I think it looks great!
Not much info around on these Short Rifles. This is the first one that I have seen. They are light, very well balance and comfortable to carry. I don't understand why they were not more popular. Perhaps because at that time the new magazine Lee Enfield was the rifle to buy?
I just got the forearm fitted and the rifle is taking shape.
When I bought it as a sporter, I thought it was a Bubba special of a Martini Henry action mounted with an SMLE barrel. The Martini and Sht LE use the same barrel threads, it is a straight forward switch needing the barrel to be indexed and to have relief cut in the face for the extractor. Basicly, a simple a screw on assembly. However, this turns out not to be a modified an SMLE barrel although it is the same length and profile. These rifles were special built by the trade and sold to the civilian market. There is no military equivalent of this rifle.
I bought it as a donor rifle for another Martini project, but i made the mistake of shooting it first. It is a tack driver, it ejects with a 'ping' as it throws the brass out and behind. I love it!
So I was lucky enough to come accross original replacements for butt and forearm. Although from different sources, the finish and patina are a close match. I just cleaned them with fine steel wool and linseed oil to remove the years of oxidation and crud. I was careful not to spoil the nice old patina, all the dings and handling marks are still there. I then gave the wood many coatings of hand rubbed boiled linseed oil.
The rear sight was a home made receiver sight which I removed. I fitted and soldered a sight base from a MLE onto the barrel, which actualy is correct. I used a leaf from a Martini of some kind. It has a tall leaf cap which I needed for sight line and the leaf scale is ranged out to 1900 yds.
The metalwork is dark turning plumb. I just cleaned it with fine steel wool and gun oil and left it at that. The finish looks old and worn, used but not abused. Nothing wrong with honest wear, I think it looks great!
Not much info around on these Short Rifles. This is the first one that I have seen. They are light, very well balance and comfortable to carry. I don't understand why they were not more popular. Perhaps because at that time the new magazine Lee Enfield was the rifle to buy?
