A Martini Enfield 303 -- again.

[Von Gruff]

I have had a long unrequited love for the Martini actioned rifles after having a Cadet in 22 Hornet for much too short a time in about 1981 until it was enticed away by a little cash.

I had seen a ME on the local auction site that was not running high bids and followed it with interest until I put in a bid that secured it for me.
This was the description and one of the accompanying pics


This is a martini action .303 rifle. Crown VR Enfield 1879.
Crown 111 1. All this on one side and on the other
Crown VR Enfield 1896 Crown ME .303. 1.
This is NZ marked no.64 also NZ with an arrow above the NZ and then 98
Sold out of service markings 093 on Stock
No butt plate. Lever is marked Arrow WD ? E30
A .303 bullet will not fit right up into the receiver.
It has a beautifully clean shiny bore.

http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv39/VonGruff/303%20Martini%20Enfield/289304544_zps597e8134.jpg (http://s667.photobucket.com/user/VonGruff/media/303%20Martini%20Enfield/289304544_zps597e8134.jpg.html)


When it arrived I did find there was more to (or less than indicated) this carbine than anticipated but I did have a worthwhile project to work on with no historical or originality to alter.

First of was the barrel and rather than being a 303 was a 30-30 so it was slated for changing right off the bat. I have a friend who has a large collection of LE and ME rifles (along with many others of course) and has accumulated parts as he has found them over the years so he traded me a new No 4 barrel for some future stocking work for him. Gunsmith cut and crowned the barrel for carbine length and reinstalled the sights. He skimmed the front of the action to re-square it to boreline centre and set the headspace at .02, and centered the firing pin strike.

I found the butt stock had been shortened by over a 1/2 inch and with the forestock being cut down, so a restock was in order.
I got a reasonably plain, darker grained blank from NZ Walnut to work with.

I was able to locate a butt plate locally but the screws and a latch cup were sourced in England.

So a reasonably plain blank as befitted the original Martini's came from NZ Walnut Supplies
http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv39/VonGruff/303%20Martini%20Enfield/Photo0784_zpsf5556798.jpg (http://s667.photobucket.com/user/VonGruff/media/303%20Martini%20Enfield/Photo0784_zpsf5556798.jpg.html)

I sanded off the bolt rifle pattern and remarked it for an advantageous grain layout for the Martini
http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv39/VonGruff/303%20Martini%20Enfield/Photo0818_zps9128f242.jpg (http://s667.photobucket.com/user/VonGruff/media/303%20Martini%20Enfield/Photo0818_zps9128f242.jpg.html)

and cut the blank into the appropriate pieces.
[url=http://s667.photobucket.com/user/VonGruff/media/303%20Martini%20Enfield/Photo0819_zpsf9a08f5d.jpg.html]http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv39/VonGruff/303%20Martini%20Enfield/Photo0819_zpsf9a08f5d.jpg [/url

[Von Gruff]

My inspiration was the Artillery Carbine as issued to some of the NZ troops (initially)in the second Boer War.

http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv39/VonGruff/303%20Martini%20Enfield/Picture-no1_zpsba8648be.jpg (http://s667.photobucket.com/user/VonGruff/media/303%20Martini%20Enfield/Picture-no1_zpsba8648be.jpg.html)

More can be found on the issue here

http://www.allaboutenfields.co.nz/history/martini/


Drilling the stock bolt hole is a time for many measurements to set things up but sooner or later the drilling must be done


http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv39/VonGruff/303%20Martini%20Enfield/Photo0829_zps8d722c48.jpg (http://s667.photobucket.com/user/VonGruff/media/303%20Martini%20Enfield/Photo0829_zps8d722c48.jpg.html)

This is what you really (really ) want to see

http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv39/VonGruff/303%20Martini%20Enfield/Photo0828_zpse19c94fb.jpg (http://s667.photobucket.com/user/VonGruff/media/303%20Martini%20Enfield/Photo0828_zpse19c94fb.jpg.html)

For drilling the hole I bought a length of 12mm mild steel and had a 10mm shank turned on one end with half of the dia milled off the other end, on which I ground the cutting tip. A starter hole is drilled just further than the length of the milled flat so the full dia of the rod is engaged and then if everything is set up right, the drill will emerge where it should do.

http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv39/VonGruff/303%20Martini%20Enfield/Photo0848_zpsf354a787.jpg (http://s667.photobucket.com/user/VonGruff/media/303%20Martini%20Enfield/Photo0848_zpsf354a787.jpg.html)

To do the counter bore for the stock bolt head I had a length of 20mm rod drilled to except the 10mm shank of the primary bit which self guides back down the hole to the marked depth

http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv39/VonGruff/303%20Martini%20Enfield/Photo0850_zpsbfb3cc32.jpg (http://s667.photobucket.com/user/VonGruff/media/303%20Martini%20Enfield/Photo0850_zpsbfb3cc32.jpg.html)

The end of the 20mm rod has a couple of cutter edges made and a simple hacksaw, angle grinder and files do this easily.

http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv39/VonGruff/303%20Martini%20Enfield/Photo0849_zpsc1493a52.jpg (http://s667.photobucket.com/user/VonGruff/media/303%20Martini%20Enfield/Photo0849_zpsc1493a52.jpg.html)

[Von Gruff]

So after drilling the stock bolt hole the socket can be fitted and the barrel channel inletted

http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv39/VonGruff/303%20Martini%20Enfield/Photo0834_zps1e71f4b3.jpg (http://s667.photobucket.com/user/VonGruff/media/303%20Martini%20Enfield/Photo0834_zps1e71f4b3.jpg.html)

I was held up at this stage trying too source a nosecap so I finished the buttstock and looked at the sighting arrangement. I find open sights a little more than my eyes can effectively use now but have aperture sights on another couple of rifles and really like them so decided to make something along the lines of the Lyman mod 21 as I could not afford the likes of the Mues or Parkerhale etc.

A light piece of alloy for pattern work

http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv39/VonGruff/303%20Martini%20Enfield/Photo0863_zpsfb6f8a03.jpg (http://s667.photobucket.com/user/VonGruff/media/303%20Martini%20Enfield/Photo0863_zpsfb6f8a03.jpg.html)


A piece of box steel and a worn out round burr as a base for the sight


http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv39/VonGruff/303%20Martini%20Enfield/Photo0860_zps9f515c21.jpg (http://s667.photobucket.com/user/VonGruff/media/303%20Martini%20Enfield/Photo0860_zps9f515c21.jpg.html)


With a little bit of drilling and filing I ended up with this. I replaced the action pins with simple 2 in bolts and made the heads into small raised roundheads. The tab washer to indicate elevation was made from a hinge flap.(It was the right thickness and it was handy)


http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv39/VonGruff/303%20Martini%20Enfield/Photo0877_zpsfbeff2b6.jpg (http://s667.photobucket.com/user/VonGruff/media/303%20Martini%20Enfield/Photo0877_zpsfbeff2b6.jpg.html)


http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv39/VonGruff/303%20Martini%20Enfield/Photo0868_zps173edfec.jpg (http://s667.photobucket.com/user/VonGruff/media/303%20Martini%20Enfield/Photo0868_zps173edfec.jpg.html)

I have 3/4 inch elevation adjustment that according to my sighting radius and the intended velocity of my cast bullets should get a 1000yd point of aim/point of impact. Isn't theory great??

[Von Gruff]

I borrowed a NOE 316299 mould and cast up about 2500 bullets while waiting for the nosecap to arrive

http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv39/VonGruff/303%20Martini%20Enfield/Photo0846_zps2ede8b36.jpg (http://s667.photobucket.com/user/VonGruff/media/303%20Martini%20Enfield/Photo0846_zps2ede8b36.jpg.html)


I would need something appropriate to carry my ammo but didn't have enough leather to do the full bandoleer so decided a 10 round belt punch would be enough

http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv39/VonGruff/303%20Martini%20Enfield/Photo0853_zpsf6d03061.jpg (http://s667.photobucket.com/user/VonGruff/media/303%20Martini%20Enfield/Photo0853_zpsf6d03061.jpg.html)

http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv39/VonGruff/303%20Martini%20Enfield/Photo0851_zpsfc045525.jpg (http://s667.photobucket.com/user/VonGruff/media/303%20Martini%20Enfield/Photo0851_zpsfc045525.jpg.html)

About this time a nosecap arrived in the mail, so a bit more could be done

http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv39/VonGruff/303%20Martini%20Enfield/Photo0876_zpsc5395e47.jpg (http://s667.photobucket.com/user/VonGruff/media/303%20Martini%20Enfield/Photo0876_zpsc5395e47.jpg.html)

Then some shaping and sanding and a bit of oil and it was starting to look finished

http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv39/VonGruff/303%20Martini%20Enfield/Photo0887_zps81b62541.jpg (http://s667.photobucket.com/user/VonGruff/media/303%20Martini%20Enfield/Photo0887_zps81b62541.jpg.html)

I made a stock disc and set it into the buttstock

http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv39/VonGruff/303%20Martini%20Enfield/Photo0888_zpsb4f164a8.jpg (http://s667.photobucket.com/user/VonGruff/media/303%20Martini%20Enfield/Photo0888_zpsb4f164a8.jpg.html)


I have developed a trio of loads for the 212gn cast bullet with a 13gn Red Dot plinking load at 1400fps, 17.3gn Blue Dot for 1680fps for general play and a hunting load of 34gn Varget/ADI 2208 for 1860fps, with accuracy being all I could ask for.

I have a set of swivels on the way and will pick up a length of leather to make replica sling. There is a hold up with acids so I can do rust blue on the aperture sight and the nosecap but that will happen sometime soon I expect.

So this is not - has not been a restoration but has made a representative working carbine from an action that had a wrong barrel and a much altered stock. It may not get the purists (and the genuine gunmakers) going but as an amateur hobbyist, I really like the way this has turned out.
It will definitely be taken on an excursion into the hills after a goat or two.

[Dan Cash]

You are a handy fellow with an ability in several mediums. You surely have a keeper in that rifle.

[swamp]

I have a MH 303 carbine, I wish it looked as good as yours. Very nice job.
swamp

[eljefeoz]

"... as an amateur hobbyist..."

Cheers on a great job, Von G

[Reg]

Nice work overall but that rear sight really has something going for it. I like it.!!

[xs11jack]

To a person like me with limited abilities, you are amazing!
Ole Jack

[Artful]

Wow, just Wow - Well done and a beautiful job. :awesome:

[M-Tecs]

Very nice!!!!!!!!!!! I have always wanted to do the same but finding a good donor rifle has been a challenge. Most of what I am finding are Khyber Pass junk.

[Von Gruff]

Very few of those here so most for sale are genuine Martini's and usually in good to excellent condition. Many of the long rifles have had the forestock shortened with the nosecap removed though. There is a regular militaria auction with good examples in very desirable condition although the dollar outlay is of course much higher than what I found this one for.

[EMC45]

Killer job! Looks great!

[prsman23]

Very well done sir. Correct example or not you have created something very beautiful.

[roots911]

That is a beautiful piece of work. You are talented indeed! Now for a lot of fun range time.

[JeffinNZ]

Nicely done that man. Now go out and rolled something furry and report.

[pressonregardless]

Great job on a fantastic rifle!!

[gewehrfreund]

Great project, and nice execution and write-up. Thanks.

[nekshot]

awesome job! Well done for sure. I have no expierence with these guns other than one I saw at a auction last year. How heavy is the gun as finished?

[Janoosh]

What a great job!,. While not origional (purists be da.....), and hopefully not a safe queen, a truly great "representative" piece. And a very nice rear sight. Kudo's to you, sir, for a job well done.

[Von Gruff]

awesome job! Well done for sure. I have no expierence with these guns other than one I saw at a auction last year. How heavy is the gun as finished?

Exactly 7lb with the balance right on the single handed carrying point (that just happens to be a hands width-original design feature) between the front of the action and the rear sight island. This makes the weight seem less than it is but it hangs nicely off hand.

[badgeredd]

Very nicely done Von Gruff. You have reason to be proud of the finished rifle. I too like your sight and see a copy of it in my future.

Edd

[TheGrimReaper]

That looks NICE!!!

[TCLouis]

Pretty piece of functional art.

Don't ya love it when a plan comes together.

[JeffinNZ]

Gruff, have you killed anything with it yet?

[Von Gruff]

Not yet Jeff. I hope to get back up to Mount difficulty in a few weeks, although this is big country and might just stretch it a bit.
http://s667.photobucket.com/user/VonGruff/media/videos/video0000_zps37bd4063-1.mp4.html

[JeffinNZ]

Don't say Mt Difficulty. Sheryl loves their wine!

[MostlyOnThePaper]

Looks like a really nice shooter, I'm envious.

[Von Gruff]

I got out for a wander in the hills but didn't see anything in this basin where ranges are inclined to be better suited to open sights and the following day in another basin I used my 6.5 GM to take a couple of animals at ranges the Martini might have struggled at. Don't know how to turn the vid so it will have too stay sideways.

http://s667.photobucket.com/user/VonGruff/media/videos/Video0004_zps20430364.mp4.html

[brstevns]

Nice, I like it. Like you I am on a very limited income. Made a stock for a old Stevens Model 94 12ga. I know how much work and Love you put in that rifle. You should be very proud!!

[Abert Rim]

Wow. VG, you're an artist in wood, in metal and in leather. Lovely project.