Author Topic: Steyr Martini-Double D? (Read 984 times)

marlinman93 · « **on:** May 30, 2004, 10:50:16 AM »

Just picked up a very minty large frame Martini Henry. It is marked Steyr 1880 on the left receiver side, plus the left buttstock has a matching cartouche. The top of the barrel near the chamber area is marked, Martini Henry Rifle, and most of the parts, no matter how small are stamped with markings.
Anyone have any ideas as to what calibers these Steyr built Martinis would be chambered in? Double D?
This gun was a war souveneir brought back by a US Army Capt. during WWII, from the Phillipines. The officer was born and raised in England, and became a naturalized US citizen. He spotted the Martini action in a pile of captured weapons during the war, and thought it was a British Martini, so he grabbed it. I got a good amount of documentation with it, including the papers allowing him to bring it back after WWII. Nothing states caliber, and he said he had never fired it. Bore is also like new!

Double D · « **Reply #1 on:** May 30, 2004, 11:38:08 AM »

Well,

I see some conflict in terms there. Is it a Styer or a Peabody?

Could be any number of things. But more information is needed. Can you post pictures of the markings?

You probably need a chamber cast to tell the caliber.

marlinman93 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 30, 2004, 02:46:20 PM »

Likewise here. I too saw the conflict, but it's both! It says, " Martini Henry Rifle" on the barrel, near the chamber. On the left side of the receiver it reads, "Steyr 1880" and a cartouche under that.
So I guess my answer is still the same, it's both! This is not a hashed together parts gun, but a original complete rifle, so I'm hoping someone at one of the forums I've posted at will have some info!
Thanks.

Double D · « **Reply #3 on:** May 30, 2004, 04:06:09 PM »

Styer and Peabody Martini are clues, but the answer is in those cartouches and other marks.

If you got pictures post them up.

I sent you an email with some ideas also.

marlinman93 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 30, 2004, 06:08:11 PM »

Got an answer to one of my posts at another forum. Seems the large order by the Turkish government was more than the Providence Tool Co. could supply. Eventually PTC went bankrupt, and in between the Romanians, Bulgarians, and Austrians all got into supplying these guns to the Turks.
The Austrian made guns were the Steyrs, so that's how this gun ended up with Steyr markings!
Thanks to Doc at Gunboards.com for the info.

marlinman93 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 05, 2004, 12:08:46 PM »

Today the previous owner brought a packet of documents relating to his grandfather, and his service in both the British Army, and later the US Army. The rifle was one of those built by Steyr for the Romanian contract to Turkey, and also for the Swiss Guards at the Vatican. These Steyr built Martini rifles were only built two years, 1879 and 1880, and are quite rare.
The original owner, Capt. Gadsny of Company G, 2nd Regiment, US Army, Oregon Volunteers, was stationed in Manilla, PI when he took this gun from a pile of captured weapons. His family said that he also brought back 5-6 other guns, but only kept this one, when he got home. The others were early Mausers, an 1873 Winchester(?) and a pistol of unknown origin.
Lots of great info in the documents I received today!

anweis · « **Reply #6 on:** June 21, 2004, 12:10:13 PM »

Please do not sporterize or modify that rifle. It's rare as hen's teeth.

marlinman93 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 21, 2004, 03:08:30 PM »

anweis,
What on earth would make you think that I would sporterize, or modify this gun? There isn't anyone I know, who respects old guns more than myself.

marlinman93 · « **Reply #8 on:** June 27, 2004, 03:43:08 PM »

Finally did a chamber cast of the Martini, and it turns out it is .577-450, so that seems to make it a Boer gun, from what info I got. The Steyrs that were chambered for this caliber were all built to meet a contract from the Boers in S. Africa, after they defeated the British. They wanted more Martini Henrys similar to those they ahd captured from the British.
Still has me wondering how it got from South Africa to the Phillipine Islands so early in it's life!? Guess that's one question this old gun will never answer!