Saudi marked Martini carbine

THREEDFLYER

THREEDFLYER

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I am helping a friend of mine sell a few of his long guns.
This fellow worked for IBM in the early days (He is 89 years old) and lived in the Saudi area for quite some time.

He acquired a few interesting pieces while living there including this Martini carbine which appears to have Saudi markings.

I know very little about these and thought maybe some of you folks have some knowledge and might be able to enlighten me a bit.

If anyone can read Saudi I would like to know what is stamped on the side of the receiver??

The striker has a broken firing pin and I need to find a replacement. The caliber appears to be .45 so maybe a .455/577 caliber??

Other than the striker, the gun seems to function as it should and the bore is good.

































 
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The dishout/checkering on the receiver might make one think it was a left hand model.
 
'Mascate' is the Spanish spelling/pronunciation of Muscat,,the Capital city of Oman and nearby neighbor to Saudi Arabia.

Don't know if that has anything to do with the other markings on the LH side..

Looks like Belgian proof marks on the top of the breech block.
They made quite a few Martini actioned rifles and carbines in Liege. Could be one of their exports, then retail marked later in that region of the world.


The 'thumb print' checkering is on the normally correct top LH side for a Martini action. I'd guess you weren't supposed to cross your thumb over the top of the wrist when shooting(?).
 
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What Troops would have been issued/used the Martini Carbines.
I observed in the movie "Zulu" that a company of British Troops (at the beginning of the battle) were using them. Were the Carbines the same caliber as the regular Martini Rifle ?
 
jimmyj said:
What Troops would have been issued/used the Martini Carbines.
I observed in the movie "Zulu" that a company of British Troops (at the beginning of the battle) were using them. Were the Carbines the same caliber as the regular Martini Rifle ?
Click to expand...

I believe that one is an artillery carbine. I've read they were issued mainly to auxiliary corps. Which could have been a number of foreign troops. I believe most were converted to 303.
 
Tom, that’s a nice rifle. I’m really into the Martini Cadet rifles which is a smaller version of what you have. The International is also nice, have a pre-International made by Al Freeland in .22 lr.

Looks like the firing pin would be an easy fix as mentioned above. The Martini’s seem to be somewhat popular. Good luck with it, Larry
 
Thanks all, I am going to pursue having the striker/firing pin repaired as suggested.

It would seem to be the easiest fix without having to track down a replacement that may end up not being correct.
 
I remember these being sold in The Shotgun News, back in the later 1980s, early 1990s.

Seems like I recall those models being blackpowder, so they could ship them directly to the buyer.
 
bobsguns said:
I remember these being sold in The Shotgun News, back in the later 1980s, early 1990s.

Seems like I recall those models being blackpowder, so they could ship them directly to the buyer.
Click to expand...

I am trying to establish an approximate date this one was made.....I have posted on a few forums to hopefully get an answer.

BTW...I love the Spanky smoking a cigar avatar......I used to use that same photo for my avatar! LOL!!
 
Jebus35745 said:
The International is also nice, have a pre-International made by Al Freeland in .22 lr.
Click to expand...

The Freeland International Martinis were BSA 22 worked over and stocked accordingly. About 1/3 were ordered left-handed. For a few decades it was the finest LH 22 in the world (until Anshutz, brought out a model 54 LH).

My personal Martini is a 1903 Citadel (from Egypt) in 303 British. Instead of Enfield rifling, it has Medford. For use with jacketed bullets and Black Powder. 200 grain FMJ or Soft Point over 40 grains of Goex FFF got 2" at 100 yards about 8 inches low left of POA using issue sights (my eyes were 20 years younger then). Mine came with the triangle bayonet and scabbard but no frog.

I have seen some of the stash from Tibet, with Arab script. Carbine length and in .577 Snyder (circa 1870) 15 years ago the price was $500 (I thought that was high then). Modern Factory with Black Powder runs around $18-20 a round! Reloading dies are in the highest group (around $180). All these prices from ari0und 15 years ago.

Ivan
 
Interesting rifle and markings. I have a Peabody& Martini made by Providence Tool Co for a Turkish contract in very nice condition for a 150 year old rifle. It has Turkish markings all over it.
 

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jimmyj said:
What Troops would have been issued/used the Martini Carbines.
I observed in the movie "Zulu" that a company of British Troops (at the beginning of the battle) were using them. Were the Carbines the same caliber as the regular Martini Rifle ?
Click to expand...

British issue Martini Henry carbines could fire the same 577/450 ammo as the service rifle (a 480gr bullet & 85 grs black powder) but the recoil would be a bit on the heavy side. Normally troops armed with carbines were issued a slightly lighter load with a 410gr bullet and 71grs powder. Many were converted to 303 caliber starting in the 1890's mainly for colonial troops and police use. I own a MK II rifle and usually load my ammo to carbine specs to ease the impact on my old shoulders. Still has a decent thump to it even with the lighter load.
 
Ivan, not trying to hijack this thread. I have number 11 of the 21 Super Target 22 Rifles made by Freeland in 1950ish. It has made in the USA on the left upper front of the receiver. Internationals have made in England on the lower left rear of the receiver.

He restocked Martinis, Winchester 52’s and Remington 37’s to fit shooters. Larry
 

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