Greener Martini shotgun Question

[brstevns]

Are those Greener Martini shotguns that one see from time to time safe to shoot with todays loads? Have seen some that are advertised as 14ga brass or 16ga paper shells?

[Red River Rick]

If it looks "sound and tight" and everything check's out OK, it'll be safer than any of the older model break-open S/S shotguns.

Check the chamber, some are/were chambered for shorter 2 1/2" shells.

FWIW

[Outpost75]

Most of the Greener police guns were chambered for a nonstandard 14-ga. cartridge to prevent their being used with common ammunition. The 14-ga. guns also had a strange firing pin design to defeat attempts at conversion to use standard ammunition.

[Bad Ass Wallace]

I have a 12ga x 2 3/4"chamber proofed for nitro. Shoots all modern loads but the choke is so tight I have to wait for the clays to go 40m before I get a pattern!

[texassako]

Aren't these the ones that use the odd 12/14 shell? Bottleneck brass shell with a 12ga base and a 14ga 'neck'.

[Reg]

Aren't these the ones that use the odd 12/14 shell? Bottleneck brass shell with a 12ga base and a 14ga 'neck'.

They are. Also they have a odd ball type of firing pin. It has the normal center or end but also has two outer "prongs". The shell had to have a groove in it for these "prongs" to go into or the center section would not go forward far enough to hit the primer. Pull the breech block out and you will see what I mean.
From what I have seen, most of these actions were of later construction and as far as Martini's go, of good construction. Have done various caliber conversions on many of them. All worked out safe and OK.

[John Taylor]

The prongs can be broken off the firing pin. I have made several into 45-70 with a new barrel and a little welding on the extractor. Most have an automatic safety that will be well worn, take it out and toss it.

[Reg]

Yup, and I think the pin dia. is such it doesn't have to be turned down. The way the lever stays open will act as a safety and hold the shell in as well. Last one I did for myself, I turned a dummy safety out of brass with a nice round boss on it to fill the hole and had my initials engraved on it. Did away with the dumb safety and added a touch of class !!

[Col4570]

http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s452/livebattery/TwoGreeners001.jpg (http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/livebattery/media/TwoGreeners001.jpg.html)
These are Greener G P Shotguns.The older one is 2 1/2" Chamber,the other is 2 3/4" Chamber.Both will take all modern Cartridges of those sizes.

[mdevlin53]

I bought one from a member here chambered and rebarreled for .444, its a hell of a shooter.

[Col4570]

http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s452/livebattery/32-40MartiniBlackPowderRifle003.jpg (http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/livebattery/media/32-40MartiniBlackPowderRifle003.jpg.html)
This is one rebarreled to 32.40 black Powder.The two rounds on the right are 45.70 and 50.70 for comparison.

[badgeredd]

http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s452/livebattery/32-40MartiniBlackPowderRifle003.jpg (http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/livebattery/media/32-40MartiniBlackPowderRifle003.jpg.html)
This is one rebarreled to 32.40 black Powder.The two rounds on the right are 45.70 and 50.70 for comparison.

That is a dandy idea for one. I have one with a pitiful barrel that I've been mulling over a chanbering for it. I also have another I re-barreled and built as a 38-55. A fun rifle for sure.

Edd

[Col4570]

http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s452/livebattery/32-40MartiniBlackPowderRifle004.jpg (http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/livebattery/media/32-40MartiniBlackPowderRifle004.jpg.html)
This is another view,the lever at the front end of the receiver is the take down screw.