Identifying a rifle

[RangerRiz]

There is a gun in my local gun store that my brother and i are having an argument over. It appears to be a martini copy. The action is round instead of flat sided and I think the action and barrel are on piece. My brother says that they are not because it has a crappy home done finish on it. I don't think this is the case because you can read all the markings on the gun. I thought somone on here might be able to help identify it.

The markings are as fallows.

On barrel : ERS LTD WESTMINSTERLONDON
                 22 CARTRIDGE LONG RIFLE

On the left side of the action: (this is upside down) 22  .610" there are also some proof or maker marks too

On the right side: V 1315-1

I have looked at all the sights that i can find about martinies and their copies but can find nothing about this rifle.  My brother thinks that is is a bsa martini ( although he can not prove it) but i am almost certain it is not.

[jh45gun]

A picture would sure help

[Brithunter]

I take it's a single shot built with the action and barrel in one piece. The action is a Francotte one and the rifle was made by Vickers whilst they had their factory in Westminster, London England. As it's a mark one it should not have the cocking indicator that the marks 2 had which is on the rightside of the breechblock and the rifle was available in several styles, mostly for target shooting, although they did make a sporting version with teh rear sight on the barrel which is adjustable but a screw operated wedge and is marked 25, 50, 100, 200 yards. if I remember correctly. I sold mine about a month ago.

[RangerRiz]

Thank you very much. He will never learn. I if it is mechanical he can not out whit me. i told him that it was one piece. Anyhow thank you for the information. You would not happen to know how much pressure that action would take would you?

[Brithunter]

It's a .22 Rimfire and was designed as such. Having the action barrel machined as one of course means that it's not possible to re-barrel although relining was common back then as the early rimfire ammo was of course corrosive. The next problem is of cours that the design of the breech block limits the length of cartridges that can be fed into the chamer.  Rimfire .22 Mag might be possible. However I have heard of one being converted to .22 hornet although I would not recommend it as for a start the twist and groove size is wrong..

   However if it's in fair shape then the best idea I can think of is to sell it as there is a following for them and they are collectable.

   A better propersition to re-barrel is of course the BSA Martini models 12, 12/15 or model 15. THese are probably stronger due to their square shape and the 12/15 has thicker side walls than the earlier ones. Of course next would be a Martini Cadet which was of course centre fire as built.

[Prebanpaul]

brit hunter    please contact me at RZ78@aol.com

[Brithunter]

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