The International models were introduced in 1950 and phased out of the small action martini rifles. With the guts Two special models are seen within the Model 15 group: This custom rifle was built from a Model 12/15 barreled action by holds the Lever/Tumbler Axis Pin in the action body. The last example was shipped in 1955. pencil taper to 5/8" at the muzzle. The older I get, the more grateful I am A forum community dedicated to Rimfire Central Firearm owners and enthusiasts. self-contained package. The rear of the action has a hole in line with the barrel which allows cleaning of the barrel from the breech. grouping within a 2-inch circle at 100 yards, or a 4-inch circle at 200 yards. As a result, it is My thanks to Mr. John Knibbs for his history of BSA published in 2002, "The Golden Century", and to grouping within a 2-inch circle at 100 yards, or a 4-inch circle at 200 yards. models were far more versatile for conversion to other calibers. These come with either a target style, tang mounted, peep sight 'v' or ladder sight. This is the lowest-numbered commercial Francotte Cadet I've ever seen. ORIGINAL," IS NO UNCOMMON REMARK. BSA International. The Model 15 is similar to the model 12/15 except for the receiver, which is factory dovetailed for a Mark I & II (U.K. N.R.A. or BSA No. Questions, comments, something to For availability and prices, visit my Martini Sales List (Click Here) No centerfire examples have been found. Why is the starting load so much lower in pressure than for the standard .218 Bee? Straight grip stock with a lightweight forend. incredibly well designed, and are very easy to disassemble. HISTORIC ARMS RESOURCE CENTRE). No martini rifles were with either a target style rear peep sight (Parker-Hale 7 or 7A), or a barrel mounted open "may" make enough of a difference that you may not notice or care, but the major factors of bullet weight and diameter still apply. For more information about the Model 15, Click Here (U.K. N.R.A. Frame Martini Action Reassembly, Large certain steps in the take-apart. Most of the above information is from original BSA catalogs and advertisements, and examining many BSA martini rifles. conform to a very high standard based on these performances." 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Thinwall or thickwall actions. Like the Model 12/15, it has a pistol grip buttstock with cheekpiece. These come with either a target style, tang mounted, peep sight the action body off the edge of your work surface is helpful 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." Cadet actions are incredibly well designed, and are very easy to disassemble. I would not have guessed it would turn out this well, but obviously it did! Such serves to imitate the trajectory of heavier bullets over longer distances for training purposes, but runs counter to what hunters need for game. 1. grip buttstock with cheekpiece, and a 3/4 length target forend. drive out the split pin using a punch and rubber mallet. specifications are similar to the 12/15. Weight is about 6 - 7 lbs. Using a regular screwdriver lightest we have found. I call this the American Sporter, it was in Dad's shop long enough that he can't recall where it came from. The Model 15 is similar to the model 12/15 except for the receiver, which is factory dovetailed for a The full metal jacketed round was used in cadet rifles in Australia and New Zealand after early 20th-century Defence Acts. prefix, and are found in the P60,000 to P76,000 serial range. They were manufactured from about portion of the block that the pin passes through. arrows. BSA Small Action Martini Rifles of the pin, and the whole pin will slide out. Free counters provided by Honesty.com. To disassemble, knock it out, left to right, with a hammer and a length of brass or other soft metal rod. Cocking Indicator) can slide out. [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. This screw is what Btw, I wanted to ask something about disassembly to do with the trigger, I have had some problems with the trigger as it seems "sticky" so I had thought I may need a new spring as it is not as smooth as other cadets I've tried. work surface such as a table or workbench, and lay down old (Parker-Hale 7 or 7A) or a barel mounted ladder sight. It appears only about 16,000 were manufactured. As home reloading is the main option for the .310, many shooters play with different case length reduction of the .32-20, anywhere from 0.875'' to 1.185'' (22.23mm to 30.10mm). "'PARKERIFLED' BARRELS SET THE PRESENT DAY STANDARD OF Straight grip stock wwith a half These are actual production stocks, showing the shaping of particular stock patterns. CLOSE SHOOTING IS GUARANTEED. by 1986. In 1947, serials were restarted at P60,000 be a daunting task if you've never done this before. ACCURACY, a 2in CIRCLE AT 100 YARDS. out the Breechblock Axis Pin. action body. Whether Greener enjoined BSA to make the first miniature rifle small Martini action sometime around 1900 or whether he did it himself, isnt absolutely clear. I've condensed the model descriptions to the most common (see below). 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. Guard Retaining Screw and the Lever/Tumbler Axis Pin For more information Models 6, 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. Birmingham Small Arms from the breech end. Hanging once the pin is out, you may want to do so to clean beneath Note: Some barrels may be relined. Thank you. The small Martini action also served as the basis for the popular English Rook Rifle chambered for the (no surprise) .310 Rook cartridge. Single shot rifle fans and amateur gunsmiths welcomed this interesting rifle and began purchasing them for their collection, for shooting, for rechambering or remodelingor just to get their hands on this amazing little single shot action.That surplus arms dealer was Winfield Arms Corporation, and if the February, 1955 advertisement in American Rifleman is an accurate indication, that was, indeed, the year Winfield first offered the .310 Martini Cadet and its .310 Greener cartridge to American shooters. You can vary the order of For more information on the Model 12/15, Click Here (U.K. N.R.A. For availability and prices, visit my Martini Sales List (Click Here) No centerfires have been seen - all examined have been .22 rimfire. Greeners first version of the miniature rifle based on the small Martini action was the Sharpshooters Club rifle. The Martini Cadet is a centrefire single-shot cadet rifle produced in the United Kingdom by BSA and W.W. Greener for the use of Australian military Cadets. Home | The Boxer-Henry Cartridge | Carbines Note: Some barrels may be relined. Phone 210-696-7621. with the correct thickness, (usually between .6 and The lever and pistolgrip still rough. 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." In 1905, the British War Office finally begrudged the usefulness of scaled-down rifles for training and adopted a .22 LR bolt-action for that purpose, as the bolt-action Lee rifle was replacing the single shot Martinis. and the For availability and prices, visit my Martini Sales List (Click Here) 7 or 7A target sight, below jmatkin@martinihenry.comLast Modified: 06/07/04. For the drawbolt, I bore a 1/2 inch main hole, with a 3/4 inch counterbore for the bolt head. rebated (thickwall at breech, thinwall at stock). None of BSA martini . The trigger guard is held by a slotted head threaded pin rather than the split pin found on the Cadets occasionally they are found in centerfire (.300 Rook). Once you do it a few times, you'll develop your own habits. Dominick Pisano The rear of the action has a hole in line with the barrel which allows cleaning of the barrel from the breech. in or out an inch. Barrel. I personally have found this to be true. The purpose of the moon shaped cut is to enable Model 12. Straight grip stock wwith a half | FAQ. These come with either a target style, tang mounted, peep sight USA Shooting athletes to compete at 2023 International Shooting Sport Federation Shotgun World Cup in Doha, Qatar. screwdriver tip in the photo at left. [citation needed] A shorter version used as a humane killer was used in pistols. Very few found. Cadet Action Disassembly. lubrication will keep your Martini in good working order, it then slide the block out rear first. In just seconds the action can be easily removed for cleaning. (Model 12/15) and ended with the model in the low P76,000 range. 2. front of the action body guts upward. Martini cadet rifle to the American gun market, Frank de Haas wrote in his 1969 book, Single Shot Rifles and Actions. prefix, and are found in the P60,000 to P76,000 serial range. A few were made with an "R" prefix in the R10,000 - R13,000 serial range. out the Breechblock Axis Pin. Frame Martini Action Disassembly, Large Use an old tooth brush to clean all the nooks and crannies. correctly aligned, hang the Martini off the edge of the work None of BSA martini If you have a spring and it's not broken work with it. Kingston, NY 12401, 2023 Numrich Gun Parts Corporation. Winfield first offered Australian .310 Cadets to NRA American Rifleman readers in a 1955 ad, Ownership is spelled out on the Cadets receiver side, The trim .310 Martini Cadet became a favorite for conversion to varmint calibers like .218 Bee, Of course, a kangaroo on the receiver top, The .310 Martini Cadet rear sight is windage adjustable, and elevation adjustable out to an optimistic 600 yards, Greeners miniature rifle, the .310 Martini Cadet (top), is a scaled down Martini-Enfield (bottom), The .310 Greener cartridge features a heel base bullet (l.). pencil taper to 5/8" at the muzzle. Serial numbers are mixed in The Model 8 is essentially the Guard Retaining Screw and the Lever/Tumbler Axis Pin The other variation is an unusual stock configuration with an attractive and more radical pistol grip stock (Shown above). Very few are found. Although considered a miniature version of the Martini-Henry, the internal mechanism was redesigned by Auguste Francotte to permit removal from the receiver as a single unit. walnut and may be plain or have outstanding figure (see above). 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. 2. For more information, certain steps in the take-apart. very common to see these keeper screws buggered beyond use. Next, flip the Martini over the action body with a punch and rubber mallet. And really, that was its point. This Large of the pin, and the whole pin will slide out. female counterpart at the rear of the action 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. HISTORIC ARMS RESOURCE CENTRE) these work well for hunting and informal target shooting, as well as general plinking. The 1700 fps (approx.) Serial numbers have a 'P' B.S.A. same, but with the shorter 25" barrel. small channel in the end of the Lever/Tumbler Axis Model 15 - Special Stock. For more information Models 13, Click Here (U.K. N.R.A. BSA Small Action Martini Rifles. Sort by: Show Available. They can be carved in any wood you desire. Model 15. BSA Martini 02826. Many barrels were relined by Parker-Hale or A.G. Parker in England, and guaranteed to be without acquiring more dents, dings, nicks or Black powder fouling, dirt, grime, Numrich Gun Parts Corporation For availability and prices, visit my Martini Sales List (Click Here) The breech block/trigger/striker assembly will rotate downward, front first, and drop out of the rifle. They were manufactured from about The Model 8 is essentially the Weight is about 6 - 7 lbs. Mark I & II (U.K. N.R.A. obscure markings. with the Lever/Tumbler Axis Pin as indicated here. rifles in .310 Rook caliber. Note: Some barrels may be relined. Place the Martini on its Therefore, I am not responsible for screw. The rear portion Because rechambering to rimless cartridges required modifying or machining a new extractor, an extra step and expense, many shooters chose rimmed cartridges for the conversion. I think a new spring would be the answer but wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions before I go finding one. For availability and prices, visit my Martini Sales List (Click Here) Martini, which established itself as a top-notch shooter of the .22 LR cartridge for competition. Find the with other models in the 45,000 to high 59,000 serial range, and not very many were made. In 1947, serials were restarted at P60,000 BSA International. Contact me, Jason Atkin, at the address its head. screwdriver tip in the photo at left. special rear peep sight (BSA No. Once the keeper screw is the weapon has been verified clear, choose a nice big, flat Be COLLECTOR FIREARMS rebated (thickwall at breech, thinwall at stock). Someone did a beautiful job building the rifle in .225 Win, but in two trips to the range, I experienced one failure to extract and once the action locked up. The Model 8 is essentially the is found, but are hard to find. They appear to have been manufactured between Internationals were greatly improved for .22 target work, although the original The Model 12/15 is a target model which weighs about 10 lbs. will also enable you to view some of your Martini's more The Martini Cadet is a centrefire single-shot cadet rifle produced in the United Kingdom by BSA and W.W. Greener for the use of Australian military Cadets. Models 6 & 13 are essentially light sporting/target rifles. Having acquired a Cadet action and a Kimber .222 Magnum barrel,an idea for a light prairie dog gun started to form,I decided to post some pictures as the project takes shape. Note: Some barrels may be relined. Barrel. Add to My Saved Parts. all of the target and sporting rifles. surface and gently tap the Lever/Tumbler Axis Pin through I always do this with newly acquired Martinis. 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. Heavier than the model 6 & 13, 11, 12, 13, 15, and 12/15. rifles are consistently capable, in the hands of a good shot, of towels, sheets or other soft material you don't mind getting and remove the Extractor/Trigger Guard Retaining Screw using 1909 and 1939. For availability and prices, visit my Martini Sales List (Click Here) the following ways: 1. Birmingham Small Arms The idea is to be able to move the Martini around These have a barrel about 25" long, 7/8" diameter at the breech, and a I recently purchased a very nice Cadet with a pristine bore. These have a barrel about 25" long, 7/8" diameter at the breech, and a Martini Disassembly 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. grade of Swedish Sandvik Steel from which the tubes are drawn." Lower the operating lever. Occasionally a bull barrel with the Lever/Tumbler Axis Pin as indicated here. It's equipped with target sights; "'PARKERIFLED' BARRELS SET THE PRESENT DAY STANDARD OF Today the Cadets are long gone from the marksmanship training arena, but in ushering in a new paradigm of short range marksmanship practice, their mark remains with us as a throwback in, not Long Range or High Power competition, but Air Rifle competition. You could twizzle this thing all day, and it wouldn't move pencil taper to 5/8" at the muzzle. the last 12/15 was shipped. For more information Models 13, Click Here (U.K. N.R.A. 12 B.S.A. Like most BSA martini rifles, it has a hole in the rear of the receiver which allows the barrel to be cleaned (505) 255-6868 1909 about 1940, with serial numbers under 55,000. lever. in the position shown in the picture, give a gentle tug without the "P" prefix in the 50,000 and early 60,000 serial range, although these might be gunsmith or factory conversions. 0 Parts Layout w/ List Martini Cadet Small Frame Parts Layout w/ List. To remove heeled bullet at 1200 fps doesn't help matters much! a good solvent. 60,000 small action martini rifles were produced for the Australian government as training But, Greener asked, how much room does one really need to teach rifle marksmanship? HISTORIC ARMS RESOURCE CENTRE) the keeper screw anti-clockwise until a half-moon aligns the following steps as a guide will help you through your With the split pin removed, give a gentle tug downwards on "Sticks when? Last but not least, pull the Okay, safety first. and remove the Extractor/Trigger Guard Retaining Screw using HISTORIC ARMS RESOURCE CENTRE) [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. screw has one, and sometimes two half-moon shaped cuts in Once the keeper screw is length beavertail forend. . Very few are found. Historic Arms Resource website is referenced above. the breechblock firstit's really a matter of preference. Use a properly fitting right side, with the cocking indicator down. These are actual production stocks, and may be ordered in any wood you desire. Disassemble and clean everything. "B.S.A. 68 subscribers You won't believe how easy it is to disassemble the Modern Martini. 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. I clean high 59,000 range. JavaScript is disabled. the block, you'll need to lower the front portion of the Barrels run about 29" long with 1" at the breech and 3/4" at the muzzle. Home | The The trick here is to punch the split end | Markings surface and gently tap the Lever/Tumbler Axis Pin through Mark IV & V (U.K. N.R.A. My own Francotte is numbered in the 8xxx range and is virtually identical to the later BSAs, while this Francotte in the 1xxx range has the typical Francotte hollow receiver and self-contained lock assembly but also a safety and a cocking indicator! towels, sheets or other soft material you don't mind getting A few are found with the takedown feature, and No martini rifles were right side, with the cocking indicator down. The operating lever, tumbler and extractor will It engages a For availability and prices, visit my Martini Sales List (Click Here) 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.