Are the Kabul Arsenal Martini's in 303 British a good rifle?
Are the Kabul Arsenal Martini's in 303 British a good rifle?
the one i recieved had a bore that resembled the rock mountains of rust. everything else was great shape. as i did not get it to use as a 303 bbut rebarrel to something fun if was a good deal.
Preacher Jim
The name makes me think of the article in Guns & Ammo back in the 1970's about the Afgan gunsmiths making rifles from any old bit of scrap metal they could scrounge up, suitable or not.
Therefore, my answer has to be "NO."
Robert
If it is a true Kabul arsenal made rifle it was made under British supervision useing British machinery and gauges and inspected to British standards( would need to see pictures of markings to be sure),these rifles are the equal to British and European Martinies and if every thing is in order are very good shooters.These Kabul Martinis are not common and only started turning up after being brought back from the Afgan war and the study of them is a ongoing subject,I belive they will become one of the most sort after variations of the military Martini,now having stated this there are a lot of fake and tribal made rifles that have also been imported or brought back by troops and these vary in quality and metals,it would be a very foolish move to shoot one of these rifles without being checked out by someone who knows what they are doing,even then I am not that game
Man, I really have to start reading the posts before replying. You clearly wrote "Martini," while I understood "SMLE."
As long as it checks out like Herbert buckland suggests, it should be fine.
I've had a soft spot for Martinis (rifles, can't stand the liquid kind) since watching the movie Zulu when I was a kid.
Robert
There is a lot of information on the Martini-Henry(577/450) and Martini-Enfield (303Brit) on the british militaria forum, including around the issue of kyhber pass copies, which seem quite a common problem in the US market currently:
http://britishmilitariaforums.yuku.c...y#.VCRipFfMa_I
And some information on the gunboards martini sub-forum:
http://forums.gunboards.com/forumdis...ni-Henry-Forum
ars longa, vita brevis
Here are some pic. Hope someone can tell me alittle about it. It is in 303 British Cal.
Attachment 119065Attachment 119066Attachment 119067
Nice looking rifle, the pattern is that of a Mark I or Mark II artillery carbine. To my very in-experienced eye it looks like a genuine Kabul Arsenal and not a kyber pass forgery. The forgeries have an excess of stamps and proofs, looking too new and crisp.
This thread gives some pointers to checking authenticity:
http://britishmilitariaforums.yuku.c...s#reply-130480
The test for authenticity is matching serials on the left side of the receiver body and the left side of the barrel near the Nocks form. All other parts should bear the same serial as well.
ars longa, vita brevis
Very good find,a future jem,how is the bore
Until a few of these were sent back by troops they were a forgoton military variation,there were not that many made in the first place and then in a few variations,most have seen hard use so one in even reasonable condition is uncommon so to preserve its value which will surly increase I would just give it a good clean and a bit of BLO on the wood if it needs it.If it has a shootable bore I would have no problem with shooting it
The real expert on these Kabul Martini is over on the British Military Forums ,if you could post over there I am sure you will get a lot more imformation
What would be the best way to clean up the stock?
Just keep rubing boiled linseed oil into it every day for a couple of weeks. this will force the old oil out, wipe off oil after a couple of minets , and rub in new oil,slow but it gives by far the best results for antique military rifles
BP | Bronze Point | IMR | Improved Military Rifle | PTD | Pointed |
BR | Bench Rest | M | Magnum | RN | Round Nose |
BT | Boat Tail | PL | Power-Lokt | SP | Soft Point |
C | Compressed Charge | PR | Primer | SPCL | Soft Point "Core-Lokt" |
HP | Hollow Point | PSPCL | Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" | C.O.L. | Cartridge Overall Length |
PSP | Pointed Soft Point | Spz | Spitzer Point | SBT | Spitzer Boat Tail |
LRN | Lead Round Nose | LWC | Lead Wad Cutter | LSWC | Lead Semi Wad Cutter |
GC | Gas Check |