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marlinguy
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Help with Steyr Martini
May 30th, 2004 at 5:05pm
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Not sure where to post this topic, but since this thread gets fewer posts, I'll try to help!
I just purchased a large frame Peabody Martini, and on the left side receiver, it is marked, "Steyr 1880" there is also a decorative cartouche, and the same cartouche is on the left side buttstock. I've never seen a Martini marked Steyr, so I'd like some info on these guns, and an idea of what calibers Steyr made Martini's might have been chambered for?
Thanks,
Vall
  
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marlinguy
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Re: Help with Steyr Martini
Reply #1 - May 31st, 2004 at 6:57pm
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Well I found my answer! These original Peabody Martini large frames were part of the order for Turkey! Seems the Providence Tool Co was not able to keep up with the contract for military rifles to Turkey, so the Turks went to numerous other countries to fill the demand. Among these were the Romanians, the Bulgarians, and of course the Austrians, which is the tie to Steyr!
I purchased this rifle from a ex Army Captain, (his family) who was born in England, and served in the British Army. Before WWI he imigrated to the US, and when the war broke out, he became a Captain in the US Army. He was serving in the Phillipine Islands (Manilla) when he spotted what he thought was a British Martini large frame, in a pile of captured weapons. He pulled it out of the pile, and brought it home as a war souveneir! 
The gun is almost new condition, and has all it's original cartouches on the metal and wood. It also carries small markings on every part, even the tiniest parts! The bore is like new also, so I'll do a chamber cast and see if it's one of the standard Turkish calibers. Probably one of those $2-$5 per round cartridges!
Got a very complete packet of documentation on his unit, Company G, 2nd Regiment, USArmy, Oregon Volunteers. Lots of great info on Capt. Gadsny, and his US service, plus his service in the British Army.
« Last Edit: Jun 5th, 2004 at 6:00pm by marlinguy »  
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marlinguy
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Re: Help with Steyr Martini
Reply #2 - Jun 4th, 2004 at 10:12pm
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Well more info has arrived through another source. The Steyr marked Martinis were actually made for Romania, and for the Swiss guards at the Vatican. Only made for about 18 months, and are virtually extinct in the United States, and super rare elsewhere! 
I sure don't know how I was able to research collectable firearms prior to the internet! Well actually I do. It took me over two years of phone calls, and letters to research my model 1881 Marlin .40-60M that is in schuetzen regalia, and built by Emil Flues of Bay City, Mich. The only lever action repeating schuetzen he ever built!
I sure love the historical part of these fine old rifles! This is fun!
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« Last Edit: Jun 5th, 2004 at 9:59pm by marlinguy »  
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kaintuck
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Re: Help with Steyr Martini
Reply #3 - Jun 6th, 2004 at 7:21pm
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Shocked
i have four of these, one each caliber............sans birdy!


hahaha...found out your lurking places!

Roll Eyes
  
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MartiniBelgian
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Re: Help with Steyr Martini
Reply #4 - Jun 7th, 2004 at 5:43am
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Marlinguy,
I also have one of these, also in excellent condition.  the Roumanian cartridge is actually nothing else than the 500/450 #2 Musket, as created by Westley Richards.
The original Roumanian army contract was for Witten, Germany, but then went to Steyr - who made most of them.  These are better made than the typical brit-issue rifle, and quite a bit rarer.  In those days, Steyr was called O(E)WG, in the city of Steyr - and now has the name of the city.
Mine shoots quite well, by the way - about 80 grs of Fg, and a .459 bullet will do the trick.
Cases are available, but not inexpensive though...
  
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marlinguy
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Re: Help with Steyr Martini
Reply #5 - Jun 7th, 2004 at 7:21pm
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Martini Belgian,
Mine is not marked with the O(E)WG marking, but rather with the "Steyr" name on the receiver and buttstock. The only place I could find a marking of OE with WG underneath was on the lever. All the parts have small proofmarks, or some sort of letter on them, but not the OEWG.
I did a chamber cast with Cerrosafe, and it does not match the measurements of the 500-450 #2, but rather the 577-450. I'm a novice at these, so I can't explain why, but I double checked the measurements several times, with the same results. As you probably know better than me, there's a bit of difference in the two cartridges, enough so that they wouldn't be confused, especially in the rim and base diameters.
Thanks for the info!
Kaintuck,
Are you following me? Wink I know you and Birdy have four of everything ever made! (including tall tales!) Wink Wink
« Last Edit: Jun 7th, 2004 at 7:29pm by marlinguy »  
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MartiniBelgian
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Re: Help with Steyr Martini
Reply #6 - Jun 8th, 2004 at 1:25pm
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Meaning you don't have a Roumanian one, but most probably one made for the ZAR (South African Republic) by Steyr - they once were on a scramble to buy any and every 577-450 Martini they could lay their hands on - whether brit, austrian, german or whatever.  Also, OEWG (Steyr) was at the time one of the biggest arms producers in the world - and not averse to selling to the UK's enemies...
The Roumanian Steyrs also have a very clear 'ARMATA ROMANA' cartouche on the right receiver walll, with OEWG/steyr markings on the buttstock, riight side - you cannot miss them.
Still, any Steyr-Martini is a nice find - especially when in good condition...
  
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marlinguy
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Re: Help with Steyr Martini
Reply #7 - Jun 8th, 2004 at 7:55pm
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Thanks for that additional info MartiniBelgian! Interesting to say the least. Mine has only the serial number G4xxx on the right side of the receiver, buttstock, forearm, and barrel. Left side is the "Steyr*1880" inside a rectangle with the somewhat "flowery engraving around it. Same on the left side buttstock. 
I sure appreciate your help and patience with a novice to these guns!
Regards!
  
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gmkmd
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Re: Help with Steyr Martini
Reply #8 - Jul 19th, 2006 at 12:27pm
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You may be interested to know that Romania bought an earlier contract of Peabody rifles (predecessor to the Martini) in 1867.  These are also marked "Armata Romania" on the right side of the receiver, and Providence Tool Co. on the left.  They were chambered for the .45 Romanian Peabody cartridge, also a .45 caliber necked cartridge.
  
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MITCH
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Re: Help with Steyr Martini
Reply #9 - Sep 10th, 2009 at 3:32pm
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Just curious I picked one of these up at a farm auction.  Looks like it says CWEG Steyr on the left side just behind the sights. also has 1880 or 188G can't really tell.  Small crown on right side behind the bolt.  on the end of the bolt has stamped GG621.  Right side under sight Y684.  The bayonet that was attached has a small what looks like a shamrock with E384 stamped into it.  Any idea what I have & what it might be worth.  I know virtually nothing about guns but this one looked cool so I bought it.  Thanks, Mitch
  
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John Boy
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Re: Help with Steyr Martini
Reply #10 - Oct 1st, 2015 at 4:35pm
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OK, resurrecting this thread for a Steyr * 1883 that I came upon: Martini action - 577/450 dinged wood - bore 50-60% with no bayonet or ram rod

Mine has no faint cartouche on the butt stock but this is how left side of the action is lightly stamped:
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Based on the Martini Henry production dates, it is the Mark II model (1879-1888
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The barrel has 2 stampings:
* A. SCHRIEVE
   BREVTE  ... I cannot determine who or what for these letterings
* Within a circle - E
                          L G
that is the 1811 - 1892 , Liege Proof House, black powder proof for rifles

On the lever is a proof mark with the letters E C wrapped together with W G underneath (unknown)

Under the lever is this double Belgian pre 1968 'View' proof mark
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Here a good website also about German firearms 
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And on Martini's ... (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

What am going to do with it?  reload just a few BP paper patch rounds and see how it shoots
« Last Edit: Oct 3rd, 2015 at 9:53am by »  
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MartiniBelgian
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Re: Help with Steyr Martini
Reply #11 - Oct 4th, 2015 at 9:24am
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If your bore is rough, better reload some gg bullets unless you plan on wiping between shots.  BTW, as this is not a brit martini, those production dates are not applicable.  And as it is a Steyr, it actually is Austrian, not german.  Check bore dia.: a 577-450 normally shoots best with .468 bullets, but yours might be a true .458.
  
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jarmann
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Re: Help with Steyr Martini
Reply #12 - Oct 13th, 2015 at 9:13am
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mine has the same markings as mentioned by marlinguy
serial H75XX plus 2 crossed flags, same rightside of  barrel 
same cartouche on buttstock like john boy's picture, same year 
lever in white marked oewg under K
rifle is almost like new and chambers musket no2 cases as mentioned by martinibelgian
loading 25 gn vihta n110 and a 500 gn .458 bullet ex  pedersoli mold (3 grove)
tried also vectan Ba6  same load same components shots came lower on target at 100m
greetings from jarmann
  
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