Custom Martini Rifle of My Dreams Gun is coming-shots fired

[Jebus35745]

Won a rifle Tuesday at noon than I thought I would never own. Really into the Martini Cadets in .22 and wanted to customize one in .32 mag. Living close to gunsmith Andy Horvath is dangerous.

Anyway watching an auction site regularly, 2 nice ones appeared. They were pieces of art and I own one. Starting this thread early, won’t have the gun till around March 23ish. The seller thinks it was made pre WW1, HE is a custom rifle maker in Laramie, Wyoming.

The rifle was made by Delhoune in Leige Belgium, they did a fantastic job by the pictures. Supposedly it’s in perfect condition can’t imagine being so nice since before WW1. Will post some pictures when it gets here, the pics posted I stole from the listing.

Tried to search the maker and can’t find nothing. The seller is gonna try to get some history from the previous owner, Larry

 

[bamabiker]

Congrats Larry, that is a beauty.

 

[drgbike]

Absolutely gorgeous, well done!

 

[Rudi]

WOW!!! What a beauty!

 

[ameridaddy]

"...can’t imagine being so nice since before WW1."
If you hadn't told me that, I've guessed it was a brand new elegant repro.
Congrats!

 

[67tempest]

Really outstanding wood on that rifle, congratulations!

 

[AlHunt]

Very enviable rifle. In the 4th picture, it looks like the barrel is stepped down in diameter and then back up. Am I seeing it wrong? Would there be some ballistic reason for doing that?

 

[M29since14]

That’s extraordinary. I hope you will tell us more when you’ve had a chance to get it in your hands.

 

[Old_Cop]

A real beauty Larry!

 

[6string]

Hi Larry,

For me, single shot rifles are my personal favorite. And, the Martini action is one of the best; time proven, historically rich, and an excellent performer.
I doubt the gunsmith's name will appear in any first order data search. You will need to contact a Belgian guild organization.
I would suggest as a start that you contact UFA-Belgium. They are located in Liege and they are conversant in English. They also are affiliated with a gunsmithing school in Liege.

UFA Belgium | Union des Fabricants & Artisans en Equipements de Chasse & de Tir Sportif

There are other organizations, but you would need to be fluent in French or Flemish to pursue those routes.

I like the straight English style stock. Nice wood and checkering, too! The double set trigger is a very nice thing to have.
Somebody asked about the step in the barrel. I think the original open rear sight was there.

Can't wait to hear more and see some nice pics. A range report, too???

 

[rustythread]

Dang! Now I have to wipe the drool from the keyboard

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

The only Martini 22's I've ever seen were by BSA.

I bet you had to pay more than $2 for that gun!

I own a 1903 Citadel in 303 British. My biggest complaint is heavy trigger, somewhere around 7.5 pounds. I have a Belgian Champlain In 7x57 with a 22 pound trigger, so the Martini isn't so bad after all!

Ivan

 

[THE PILGRIM]

A while had a Custom Cadet in 218 Bee.
Not quite as Pretty as this one!

 

[2152hq]

Here's your Belgian maker.,,w/pics of a Martini much like yours..(same rifle??)
In biz from about 1897 to 1910

Nouvelle page 0

 

[bgrafsr]

That is one beautiful rifle Larry. Congratulations.

 

[Jebus35745]

Thanks everyone, can’t wait to get it. The check is in Denver at 8am not far from Laramie, he may get the check a day sooner. Jim, there will be a range report, supposedly it’s a 5.5 lb gun. Great for offhand shooting at 50ft at the club. I will bench it best as possible first, kinda basic there on tables that can be moved.

Mr Hunt, there was a rear sight where the stepping is on the barrel, the dovetail was filled with that. It matches the base of the front sight, nicely done. A Lyman 1A aperture sight was added to the tang. Added a picture of the front sight. There is a picture of the butt also showing the horn heel & toe clips.

2152hq, bingo. That rifle looks just like mine. The wood grain doesn’t match and I don’t have the fine engraving. Great link, thanks. The name “Delhoune” on the barrel appears to be gold inlay. Larry

 

[Echo40]

That thing is an antique, what you need is a more modern iteration which could more effectively be deployed in a self-defense situation when the Crackerjack Boys come a knockin'!

But seriously, that's a gorgeous Martini Rifle, congratulations!

 

[6string]

That's a great link that 2512hq provided.

Your gunmaker is also listed in this book:

Belgian Liege gunmakers (D to F) - Volume 2

It's volume two of a seven volume set, hardcover, in French and English.
I like books like this because, besides the wealth of info, they offer some documentation or provenance that enhance the enjoyment of the gun. They might also enhance the value as well, kinda like getting a S&W letter, though not as individually detailed.

Jim

 

[6string]

That thing is an antique, what you need is a more modern iteration which could more effectively be deployed in a self-defense situation when the Crackerjack Boys come a knockin'!

But seriously, that's a gorgeous Martini Rifle, congratulations!

Now, THAT is funny! But, it's going to be hard to "unsee" that thing!
I'm sure it's been appropriately rechambered to 223/5.56 or 9mm....

 

[John Patrick]

Beautiful rifle, congrats!