Martini 12/15 with Mannlicher Stock

[Jebus35745]

Found this over a year ago, it had the barrel cut to 20”. Professionally done bc the front sight was dovetailed back on. Instant purchase, came with a short forend. Love the Martini rifles and figured it would look good with a full length stock. I shoot it off hand at 50’ indoors at the Tuesday morning retired guys shoot.

Finally finished the forend, Tru Oil needs to dry a couple more weeks before I sand and buff it. The forend wood grain & color matches the stock pretty nicely. Want to reshape one spot in the future. Will probably refinish the stock in the spring. Larry

 

[weatherby]

It does look "cool" with the full stock.

I just picked up my first Martini
It's a BSA international mark iii
I don't think I could shoot it freehand well though.

It was an instant purchase also.

https://smith-wessonforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=662910&stc=1&d=1705146467

 

[Alpo]

Did it cost you more than £7 17/6? Just curious.


The BSA Model 12/15 target Rifle

 

[6string]

BSA Martini target rifles are seriously nice firearms.
That MKIII with the Unertl scope was a fantastic buy at $800!

They all shoot so well, being both mechanically accurate and well balanced and proportioned. And, they’re very well made. BSA boasted that every part is forged steel, with no stampings or castings used.
They are a real testimony to a time when individual marksmanship and making the most of one shot mattered more than hosing the vicinity of an oversized target with sheer volume of fire.

 

[Baltimoreed11754]

I’ve looked at and handled a few of them over the years. A classic .22 for sure. I scratched my Martini itch with a NSW Martini Cadet.

 

[JohnRippert]

My Martini is not exactly a target version.

I have long wanted one in .303 British, but have not found a example in the right condition/price point for my taste.

 

[6string]

My Martini is not exactly a target version.

I have long wanted one in .303 British, but have not found a example in the right condition/price point for my taste.

Nice!
I lived in Canada for years, and even there, where Martini Henrys are/were plentiful at gun shows, .303 British examples were not that common. To this day, the sight of those old Martinis reminds me of old "back in the day" gun shows. Often, they were very crowded Legion Halls filled with clouds of cigar smoke and bone-chilling morning temp air. As a kid, I wondered if the darkness of the wood was patina of the wood finish or just staining from all that tobacco smoke! (The smell suggested the latter! )
If you can find one with the Metford rifling they tend to be excellent cast bullet shooters!

 

[Jebus35745]

Wow, Paul you found a great deal. The scope is worth a lot and the gun and scope combo is a steal. I use my International for shooting sub 1/4” groups at 50 yds. It’s number 11 of the 21 Al Freeland Super Target 22 rifles made in 1950ish with an Eric Johnson BBL. Pictured below.

John, that’s a nice Martini in 303. Always thought the bigger Martinis in 303 are cool, the ammo is all over for sale.

The 2 other full length Martinis pictured are ones I have seen for sale but missed the opportunity to buy. Larry

 

[weatherby]

The scope is an unertl 15x ultra varmint.

I think just it was worth more than I paid.
I even told the store owner that before buying as I know and like him.

 

[JohnRippert]

John, that’s a nice Martini in 303. Always thought the bigger Martinis in 303 are cool, the ammo is all over for sale.

I wish it was a .303, but it is a 577/450 MKIV from the Nepal stash that I cleaned up myself. I do have 60 rounds of 577/450 I got from a maker of esoteric cartridges who has since quit that business. I also have a adapter to shoot .45 Colt Cowboy rounds as well.

This is what it looked like on arrival.

 

[Jebus35745]

John, how does the 45 loads shoot in it? Is the rifling decent, accurate? Larry

 

[JohnRippert]

John, how does the 45 loads shoot in it? Is the rifling decent, accurate? Larry

I have not given it a try as of yet. It has been hanging on my wall above the TV in my room for a while. When I do get to the range I will post a report.

 

[Bullet Bob]

I wish someone would cut my 12/15 barrel to about 20 inches, maybe then I could still hoist it.

 

[CptCurl]

I’ve looked at and handled a few of them over the years. A classic .22 for sure. I scratched my Martini itch with a NSW Martini Cadet.

You just can't help loving the little BSA cadet rifles. I have a nice one that I posted here some years back: BSA Martini .310 Cadet

Do you shoot yours? They are really fun.

Curly

 

[Jebus35745]

The LGS has a 310 on the wall for years rechambered to 357/44 Bains & Davis. Waiting for a price on it, gonna give it to Andy Horvath to sleeve the barrel to .32 mag. Would be totally cool in that caliber, Larry

 

[CptCurl]

off topic

That 357/44 B&D would be a great shooter.

Many years ago I had a Stevens 44-1/2 that had been re-bored to .357 Mag. What a great rifle that was! Foolishly, I sold it about 30 years ago. I missed it so much that last year I bought a new Winchester (Miroku) Low Wall they made in .357 Mag. It is fantastic!

Curly