Another photo…

I think that you should share more than pictures if you want to know more. When may I pick it up?

Eric Johnson was a well-known and respected barrel maker from the 1930's through the mid 60's. Not to be confused with CC Johnson who did a lot of relining of barrels. Eric Johnson barrels were used a lot on Winchester 52's, Remington 37's, Martinis, and other target rifles. He marked his barrels with stars as well as his name. Looks like you got a nice example there.

jabbo,

it appears you have one very special rifle - enjoy

Vaver sight.  For a Martini kinda scarce, try finding one for a Stevens 416!

I used to own a similar BSA Martini 22 R/F with custom wood and the same sort of loading cut out on the frame as this one has. 
Certainly makes it easier for loading.
I have often wondered if this was a factory option. Your one in the photo looks to have a deeper cut out than the one I had.
That rear sight is a beauty.
The rifle I had with a twenty power scope and a shortened barrel resting on the front rest would shoot into one inch at a hundred metres. 
Used to use it for head shots on Rabbits for the pot and the shortened barrel made a better walking around rifle. No Rabbits around where I now live in town.
On all my BSA Martini's I have drilled out the rear of the block to clean the bore with a cleaning rod from the breach.
Only sold mine as getting old and too many rifles for my wife to get rid of when I fall off my perch.
This is one rifle you should definably keep or in years to come you will regret not keeping.
Where would you find another one like this?

watchthewind wrote on Apr 14^th, 2023 at 4:30pm:


Eric Johnson, the barrel maker, is not CC Johnson.  CC Johnson's grandson, Jerry Johnson, has his records but they will not help for this OP's rifle.

I don't recall whether Eric Johnson did gunsmithing or not or if he just made barrels but if you look at the stock work, you can see a trend developing with a sharper pistol grip and pronounced removal of wood in the grip area for the thumb so the wrist wasn't as bent.  Later, Anschutz stocks took this to a more radical level.  Their modern ergonomics for the times and still pretty much today led to the demise of the 52 Winchester.  Winchester 52's can still hold their own in some BR matches but just won't hold up in the position matches.  The Winchester International was their last dieing breath for .22 matches.  Whoever built that rifle, knew what they were doing.