Tell me about the Navy Arms Martini..

[oldfart1956]

Folks the other day while twaddling about in a gun shop looking for a Stevens 311/20ga. for my brother I found a stash of Navy Arms Martini/Greener rifles...and a 12ga. shotgun. Hmmm..? The rifles were in 444Marlin and a 45/70 and 1 or 2 other calibers that I forget. Ohhh...and a Cadet in .310. Anyways, before I go even further off base...for those that have actually owned one what is your opinion of the Navy Arms product. My search seems to indicate they were sold in/about 1960/1970 roughly but so far no info as to quality of the build. I'm just kind'a kicking this around in my head as I don't actually have a need for such but greatly admire the beauty of the action. Said arms are in fair condition and actions seem tight. Incredibly heavy as the barrels look to be over 1 inch across the flats. I only gave them a cursory glance to be honest so don't recall the sights used although I don't remember any tang sights. My interest would be, of course, the 45/70 but only to supplant and not replace the trapdoor I currently have. I would hope to use the same loads but unsure of the twist in the Navy Arms barrel. So this is just a curiousity question and not a commitment at this time. Before anyone bitches, yes I tried the search button. Posts numbered in the thousands depending on what one typed in. Many thanks in advance. Audie...the Oldfart. P.S. if it matters prices range about $300/$400.

[Goatwhiskers]

They were built on British surplus actions, quality is normally quite good. The Martini action is very stout, but will not stand up to Ruger level loads, up to Marlin level is OK. Wish I had bought a truckload back when they were on the market. That heavy barrel should moderate the recoil well, I saw one once in 45/70 that had a 22" pencil thin barrel. Was only $250 but passed, figured it would kick like a mule. GW

[herbert buckland]

The ones I have seen were built on the larger Greener Martini GP shot gun action not the military actions

[Col4570]

http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s452/livebattery/32-40MartiniBlackPowderRifle003.jpg (http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/livebattery/media/32-40MartiniBlackPowderRifle003.jpg.html)
This is a 32.40 Rifle I built on a Greener GP copy once retailed by Brownells.It came as a kit of Castings that I had to finish.The barrel is a Tube lined with an 8 mm Rolling Block barrel turned down to fit.The Stock and Furniture came with the Kit,I had to make the Extractor and Cocking Pawl.

[Col4570]

http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s452/livebattery/32-40MartiniBlackPowderRifle004.jpg (http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/livebattery/media/32-40MartiniBlackPowderRifle004.jpg.html)
Another View.The Cartridges are 50.70 and 45.70 to compare with the actual 32.40 Rounds.

[Col4570]

http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s452/livebattery/TwoGreeners001.jpg (http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/livebattery/media/TwoGreeners001.jpg.html)
This is a pair of Greener G P Shotguns.One is in good condition,the others Barrel is pitted but the action will make a Rifle.

[oldfart1956]

Folks thanks so much for the information. The shop owners were at a gun show today so was unable to get back to them but I'll go back on Tue. morning. I do recall seeing W.W. Greener on the left sideplate of one so it may be the larger action as mentioned. The one in 12ga. was full length stocked and rough but quite an interesting gun as well. This was my first time viewing the Cadet rifle (.310 caliber) and I didn't realize how petite that rifle was! Between now and Tue. I'll do some more reading, found a few forums on the subject, and maybe I can find a dis-assembly video on the web. Again, many thanks to all. Audie...the curious Oldfart..

[Bad Ass Wallace]

The little Cadet can be made up to a beautiful handy sporter. This one in 25/35 Winchester is good for wild dogs around the farm!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v152/BAWallace/23-35_edited-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BAWallace/media/23-35_edited-1.jpg.html)

[oldfart1956]

Dang....you guys sure have some nice stuff! I'm still playing phone-tag with the gun shop. I work nights so communicating gets to be a problem. (day sleeper) Anyways rest assured these Navy Arms re-barrels aren't fancy. I was mostly concerned that they were correctly fitted. Waiting now on a call from the shop owner and I'm cleaning up the Browning B-92, lever action .44 mag. which I am either gonna swap or sell to get the Martini. There's a gun show in Shippensburg this Sat. and I think I can sell the Browning there if we can't work up a trade at the gun shop. Now a bit of humor....he lost the gun. :) He's go so many guns piled up and shuffled about he seems to have misplaced it! Knows he didn't sell it...got a call yesterday evening...phone message..."Hey Audie...I think I....wait a minute...++++.....yeah....no...that's not it...call me tomorrow!" Audie....the Oldfart.........

[bart55]

got a cute little cadet in 218 bee,and a 45 70 on a large action

[Buckshot]

...............There WAS a remake of Martini actions made in the late 60's, early 70's that were NOT military or police actions. These were new made at the time. You could purchase the actions plain (like a military) or there was an engraved action also offered. I have a "Gunsmithing Annual' of about that period that contains an article of building a 444 Marlin on one of these actions. If memory serves, the importer might have been Navy Arms. I also have 2 loose Greener actions purchased in the mid -90's that were take off's of the simultaneously imported 14ga Prison shotguns. I think they were about $65 each. The newly made Martini's were something like $85 (if I'm not too gravely mistaken) when imported in the -70's. At that time you have to remember, a working man was making $6 to $7 an hour, and you could buy a pretty nice house with that take home pay.

................Buckshot