W.W. Greener himself (The Gun and its Development, 9th Edition, 1910) doesnt nail down the exact year he brought out his first miniature rifle, but it appears to be around 1898 to 1900.
occasionally they are found in centerfire (.300 Rook). breechblock out of the action body. the action body with a punch and rubber mallet. This screw is what The purpose of the moon shaped cut is to enable the Cadet model, as sold to Australia for training rifles, and the standard martini, used in nearly
The other variation is an unusual stock configuration with an attractive and more radical pistol grip stock (Shown above). Americans were quick to rebarrel the small Martini to more popular cartridges like the .22 Hornet, .218 Bee and .32-20. (Click on image for larger view)
Greener said he liked the small Martini action for being exceedingly strong, simple in construction, and consequently less liable to get out of order than other more complicated mechanisms.Rifle ClubNon-exhaustive research on my part did not inarguably clarify the precise sequence of events on development of the .310 Martini Cadet Rifle. Frame Martini Breechblock Disassembly, Large Pull the trigger. Mark IV & V (U.K. N.R.A. It is
Find the The "Centurian", which was specially selected to deliver 1 1/2" groups from the factory, and is identified by a "flat top file-cut rib (on the barrel) which eliminates light reflections." .22 Target Rifles are not allowed to leave the factory unless they
Taking the action and barrel to John McGlothin in Raton,it was decided the barrel could be cut back and rechambered to .218 Bee. [2] Firing a 120 grain heeled lead projectile at 1350 ft/s the round is similar in performance to the .32-20 Winchester and some rifles may chamber both rounds with some accuracy. specifications are similar to the 12/15. Stripping and reassembling a Martini can This model was manufactured after the model 15 (see below).
These are held to the stock by one or two screws (included). ACCURACY, a 2in CIRCLE AT 100 YARDS. I would not have guessed it would turn out this well, but obviously it did! http://rifleman.org.uk/BSA_Model_12-15.htm, Scopes, Sights, Rings, Mounts & Other Optics. I always do this with newly acquired Martinis. 2. holds the Lever/Tumbler Axis Pin in the action body. Below is a rifle built by Curt Hardcastle, on a pattern he made up for a 12/15 converted to centerfire.
its head. For more information on the Model 12/15, Click Here (U.K. N.R.A. By 1901, Greener established a miniature rifle competition at Bisley called, no doubt with due humility, The Greener, fired at 100 yards. guts should pop out. For more information Models 6, Click Here (U.K. N.R.A. It is not intended as an instructional Hanging Weight is about 6 - 7 lbs. These come with either a target style, tang mounted, peep sight
Once the keeper screw is
Credits
The Model 12 weighs about 8 lbs. Case Hardened Receiver
portion of the block that the pin passes through. Add to My Saved Parts.
rifles are consistently capable, in the hands of a good shot, of
It took me a little while to realise that it was a split pin!
greasy. Note: Some barrels may be relined. Model 15. Cadet Action Disassembly. Birmingham Small Arms
Please note that According to a pre-1920 BSA catalog,
same, but with the shorter 25" barrel. Free counters provided by Honesty.com. Barrels run about 29" long with 1" at the breech and 3/4" at the muzzle. the following ways:
with the correct thickness, (usually between .6 and For availability and prices, visit my Martini Sales List (Click Here)
A few are found with the take-down feature, and a few are seen in .300 Rook centerfire. Ebony forearm tips are a popular option, 90.00 additonal. Mark III (U.K. N.R.A. 68 subscribers You won't believe how easy it is to disassemble the Modern Martini. They come
HISTORIC ARMS RESOURCE CENTRE)
The Model No.4 rifle is more familiarly known in another guise, in its largest common calibre, as the .310 Martini Cadet, shown above and below, being the rifle sold also to Commonwealth countries, most particularly the Australian Government which issued it extensively as a training and Cadet rifle. Bore average. Incidently, the models 1, 2 & 3 were bolt action. The last example was shipped in 1955. then slide the block out rear first. to 3/4" at the muzzle. the action body with a punch and rubber mallet. high 59,000 range. is found, but are hard to find. The International models were introduced in 1950 and phased out
Great Martini Channel:. Both styles use the same sporting forearm pattern, which will have a half inch starter channel for the barrel.
I've sold many for silhouette rifles. A very few (prewar?) It comes with a full pistol-
Second Media Inc., 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite 1921, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA. 1909 and 1939. For availability and prices, visit my Martini Sales List (Click Here)
Contact me, Jason Atkin, at the address
as accurate (or more accurate) as the original bore. 500 Westley-Richards miniature MartiniHenry rifles were available by October 1902 (Auckland Star), and 5000 by April 1903 (Star). Incidently, the models 1, 2 & 3 were bolt action. The BSA Martini International was created in 1950 as an improved version of the original small Martini action found on .22lr small bore target rifles and also in slightly different form on the Australian .310 Cadet rifle. Lever/Tumbler Axis Pin Keeper Screw indicated by the This Numrich Gun Parts Corporation offers the largest selection and best prices for hard to find Martini parts. Victorian-era British arms, accoutrements, and military history. Barrels run about 29" long with 1" at the breech and 3/4" at the muzzle.
the last 12/15 was shipped.
ACCURACY, a 2in CIRCLE AT 100 YARDS. Serial numbers are mixed in
However these new .310 Cadet cases are 3-4 times as expensive as new .32-20 Winchester cases, hence shooters modify .32-20 cases, as a cheaper alternative. You can vary the order of Straight grip stock with a lightweight forend. as accurate (or more accurate) as the original bore. all of the target and sporting rifles. Converting the .310 Martini Cadet to fire varmint cartridges became so popular in the U.S. that such conversions still extant today almost certainly outnumber Cadets left in their original .310 Greener chambering.Combat? the keeper screw anti-clockwise until a half-moon aligns Home | The Boxer-Henry Cartridge | Carbines high 59,000 range. For availability and prices, visit my Martini Sales List (Click Here)
Model 4 (Australian Pattern)
holding in the entire breechblock assembly. the the trigger guard. Historic Arms Resource website is referenced above. lightest we have found. BSA Small Action Martini Rifles
I clean and ended in 1939 with the high 59,000 range. ORIGINAL," IS NO UNCOMMON REMARK. To replace, reverse the order. Next, flip the Martini over I've sold many for silhouette rifles. Introduced in 1947, it is the final model
below jmatkin@martinihenry.comLast Modified: 06/07/04. If you have a spring and it's not broken work with it. For more information on the Model 12, Click Here (U.K. N.R.A. BSA Small Action Martini Rifles. Most other
The .311-inch heel-base RN lead bullet ambles out the muzzle at around 1200 fps to 1350 fpsabout that of a .22 LR. Model 15. Actions may be thinwall (like the Cadet), thickwall, or
Highlights from the March 2023 issue of Shooting Sports USA, the NRAs competitive shooting journal. Please note that by 1986.
Be HISTORIC ARMS RESOURCE CENTRE)
key at the rear of the action body first, then pivot the grouping within a 2-inch circle at 100 yards, or a 4-inch circle at 200 yards. 'v' or ladder sight. It's equipped with target sights;
The trick here is to punch the split end San Antonio, Texas.
I will do a bit more shaping to the butt and forearm to refine the lines, but the general flavor of the project is evident. 11, 12, 13, 15, and 12/15. .8mm, depending on how buggered the screw slot is) rotate Go to Home Page
Model 12/15. Model 6 & 13. surface and gently tap the Lever/Tumbler Axis Pin through portion of the block that the pin passes through. 8 folding tang sight (which came in 5 different heights). Frame Martini Action QUICK BREECHBLOCK Kingston, NY 12401, 2023 Numrich Gun Parts Corporation. 3. Some people like to remove I will be working on a forearm pattern next. Some examples were stocked with Italian
the keeper screw to allow the split pin in the lower front The Model 15 is similar to the model 12/15 except for the receiver, which is factory dovetailed for a
Martini's action and cause premature wear, corrosion and Some models use a BSA continued producing the action as the No. screw. The other variation is an unusual stock configuration with an attractive and more radical pistol grip stock (Shown above). To remove Come join the discussion about optics, ammo, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, hunting, accessories, classifieds, and more! | Markings. You'll notice in this Notice the rounded Occasionally a bull barrel
is found, but are hard to find. From the main Mauser factory in Oberndorf. Clarence P pepper51 Premium Member Joined Mar 17, 2009 300 Posts certain steps in the take-apart. The BSA small action martini came in several configurations, but the most commonly found are the Cadet model, as sold to Australia for training rifles, and the standard martini, used in nearly all of the target and sporting rifles. For availability and prices, visit my Martini Sales List (Click Here)
Mark I & II (U.K. N.R.A. Moderators:The Double D, Viclav, Johnny Yuma, GrantR Canada, Carignan Salieres, vincent998. pencil taper to 5/8" at the muzzle. It's equipped with target sights;
A very few (prewar?)
Heavier than the model 6 & 13,
They come
Last but not least, pull the Heavier than the model 6 & 13,
HISTORIC ARMS RESOURCE CENTRE)
'v' or ladder sight. Serial numbers of the commercial rifles began just under 9,000 in 1909,
"B.S.A. A Classic Custom Small Action .22rf BSA Martini
surface and gently tap the Lever/Tumbler Axis Pin through Need Martini parts? grouping within a 2-inch circle at 100 yards, or a 4-inch circle at 200 yards.
Constant research has produced the most suitable and hard wearing
HISTORIC ARMS RESOURCE CENTRE)
2. Chambered for the .310 Cadet cartridge (aka: .310 Greener), it was used from 1891 to 1955. grade of Swedish Sandvik Steel from which the tubes are drawn." The rear of the action has a hole in line with the barrel which allows cleaning of the barrel from the breech. For availability and prices, visit my Martini Sales List (Click Here)
As a result, it is seat the front portion of the guts back into the rifle.
Today, .310 Greener ammunition is a custom order-only proposition, so those handloaders possessing Cadets in its original chambering usually opt to make cases from .32-20. email: dpisano@earthlink.net
(Model 12/15) and ended with the model in the low P76,000 range. But, Greener asked, how much room does one really need to teach rifle marksmanship?
The rear of the action has a hole in line with the barrel which allows cleaning of the barrel from the breech. towels, sheets or other soft material you don't mind getting I always do this with newly acquired Martinis. The NRA joined West Virginia Gov. The standard actions are improved over the Cadet models in
The first step is to align the keeper screw to allow the split pin in the lower front portion of the action to be . examples are found
is to ensure there isn't one of these in the chamber. Thinwall or thickwall actions. In spite of deliberate government roadblocks, the miniature rifle and rifle club movements caught on with the public, and with pressure from the British National Rifle Association, the government finally admitted that rifle clubs were there to stay. I bore these for the drawbolt ($50.00) and it is pretty simple to fit them up. For more information Models 13, Click Here (U.K. N.R.A. in October, 1939, and didn't resume until July, 1947 after the rifle was reconfigured as the 12/15. For availability and prices, visit my Martini Sales List (Click Here)
The Model 12 weighs about 8 lbs. the screw to be turned so the Lever/Tumbler Axis Pin (a.k.a. Production was again halted
scratches. certain steps in the take-apart. screw instead of a split pin. The last example was shipped in 1955. The Model 12 weighs about 8 lbs. Very few found. the following ways: 1.
The trigger guard is held by a slotted head threaded pin rather than the split pin found on the Cadets. Note: Some barrels may be relined. 305. walnut and may be plain or have outstanding figure (see above). What Winfield did accomplish with the .310 Martini Cadet Rifles, however, was to provide a small Martini action suitable for centerfire cartridges. (505) 255-6868
Cocking Indicator) can slide out. The operating lever, tumbler and extractor will Known as the .310 cattle killer, invented by WW Greener, it was shorter in that a .310 cadet could not be accidentally chambered into the humane killer pistol. the action body off the edge of your work surface is helpful rifles in .310 Rook caliber. HISTORIC ARMS RESOURCE CENTRE)
TO-DAY a 'PARKERIFLED' barrel is comparable to the finest Match
TO-DAY a 'PARKERIFLED' barrel is comparable to the finest Match
conform to a very high standard based on these performances." You must engage the it. out the Breechblock Axis Pin. Note: Some barrels may be relined. One source indicates these were made from 1932 to 1939 and while another source indicates 1951 and later. B.S.A. HISTORIC ARMS RESOURCE CENTRE). Large the threads in the action body with a small pipe cleaner and (Model 12/15) and ended with the model in the low P76,000 range. HISTORIC ARMS RESOURCE CENTRE)
the weapon has been verified clear, choose a nice big, flat In New Zealand, after the start of the Boer War, a cadet corps had been started; by 1901 it was recommended that membership be compulsory. Parts List. without the "P" prefix in the 50,000 and early 60,000 serial range, although these might be gunsmith or factory conversions. Most of the above information is from original BSA catalogs and advertisements, and examining many BSA martini rifles. A few were made with an "R" prefix in the R10,000 - R13,000 serial range. Model 4 (Australian Pattern)
For availability and prices, visit my Martini Sales List (Click Here)
60,000 small action martini rifles were produced for the Australian government as training
You get to cut the tapered section for the tang as I do not have the tooling for it. a good solvent. Models 6 & 13 are essentially light sporting/target rifles. Incidently, the models 1, 2 & 3 were bolt action. Kingston, NY 12401, 2023 Numrich Gun Parts Corporation. The pistolgrip version is known as the Whatcheer, or Creedmoor, and will require you to shorten and bend the lever to match the pistolgrip of the stock. Once you do it a few times, you'll develop your own habits. produced from November, 1915 until July 1919 because of the war.
Note: Some barrels may be relined. Take just the trigger guard with lever, tumbler and trigger and reinstall the cocking indicator to hold the lever and tumbler in place. Occasionally a bull barrel
Birmingham Small Arms
Like most BSA martini rifles, it has a hole in the rear of the receiver which allows the barrel to be cleaned
The operating lever, tumbler and extractor will For availability and prices, visit my Martini Sales List (Click Here)
8 folding tang sight (which came in 5 different heights). Phone 210-696-7621.
Historic Arms Resource website is referenced above. Original British Martini Henry MKIV Rifle Long Lever Rifle Cleaning Rod From $49.95 Free Domestic Shipping on orders $300+ Hassle Free 30 Day Return Period 100% Safe Secure Checkout Guaranteed Authentic to the Historical Period and ended in 1939 with the high 59,000 range. [4], Cartridges of The World by Frank C. Barnes, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Martini_Cadet&oldid=1118728813, Sliding ramp rear sights, Fixed-post front sights, This page was last edited on 28 October 2022, at 14:46. Product #: PDF0266 Part Key: 0. screwdriver tip in the photo at left. [1] Although considered a miniature version of the MartiniHenry, the internal mechanism was redesigned by Auguste Francotte to permit removal from the receiver as a single unit. reassembling, as they are typically very dirty. (Click on image for larger view)
all of the target and sporting rifles. The new miniature rifle's action could be removed from the body by simply unscrewing the locking pin which passes through the side plates and theforward part of the action above the front of the trigger-guard. This is my main pattern for the small martini, it will work on the larger 12/15 type, or you can pare it down for the cadet (shown in the picture below this). It comes with a full pistol-
Black powder fouling, dirt, grime, dust and other harmful contaminants can get into your Martini's action and cause premature wear, corrosion and even severe mechanical problems. The Model 8 is essentially the
Weight is about 6 - 7 lbs. produced from November, 1915 until July 1919 because of the war. of the small action martini rifles. The small Martini action also served as the basis for the popular English Rook Rifle chambered for the (no surprise) .310 Rook cartridge. It engages a out the Breechblock Axis Pin. The next step is to punch For more information about the Model 15, Click Here (U.K. N.R.A.
Like most BSA martini rifles, it has a hole in the rear of the receiver which allows the barrel to be cleaned
For availability and prices, visit my Martini Sales List (Click Here)
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