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Dselman
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Small martini rifle
Jul 17th, 2024 at 8:51am
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I recently bought some form of martini rifle, possibly a German shuetzen rifle.  It has a 1 piece stock and has been rebarreled in 22 hornet.  I’m not sure what the original chambering was but I’m guessing it was smaller than the hornet. To load it you have to hold the lever down all the way against the hammer while inserting the cartridge.   Also would this action be strong enough to shoot full power 22 hornet loads with no damage?
  
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Dselman
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Re: Small martini rifle
Reply #1 - Jul 17th, 2024 at 9:03am
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Here’s some pictures of the rifle
  
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beltfed
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Re: Small martini rifle
Reply #2 - Jul 17th, 2024 at 9:31am
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Though it is marked J R Blake, Fresno, CA
I suspect he mounted the modern scope and maybe rebarrelled it.
But, the crown U  proof mark in the fuzzy photo indicates the
original rifle/action/stock  is from Germany
Generally, these martini actions are quite strong....
But, I would NOT go 'out on a limb" to verify it is strong enough for full load 22 hornet ammo...
We don't know if the breech block was bushed and modern small firing pin installed..
firing pin
beltfed/arnie
  
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StrawHat
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Re: Small martini rifle
Reply #3 - Jul 18th, 2024 at 12:02pm
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I would consider it a 22 WCF.  A forerunner of the modern Hornet.

Kevin
  

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yamoon
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Re: Small martini rifle
Reply #4 - Jul 18th, 2024 at 5:47pm
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Good chance it is a Kessler, they made a lot of full stock Martini rifles.
Mike
  
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Dselman
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Re: Small martini rifle
Reply #5 - Jul 20th, 2024 at 12:07am
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Are you saying to load the hornet down to 22wcf levels?
  
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CharleHunter
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Re: Small martini rifle
Reply #6 - Jul 31st, 2024 at 6:08am
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yamoon wrote on Jul 18th, 2024 at 5:47pm:
Good chance it is a Kessler, they made a lot of full stock Martini rifles.
Mike

I have a Kessler in that style in 9.5 x47R. The stock covered action brings a completely different look to a Martini action. Mine has very a very similar engraving pattern but with silver inlay.
Steve in Oz.
  
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Nero
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Re: Small martini rifle
Reply #7 - Jul 31st, 2024 at 5:20pm
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With the scope so low it has to be hard to load and unload.
  
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Dselman
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Re: Small martini rifle
Reply #8 - Aug 4th, 2024 at 11:36am
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Yes it can be a pain to load, unloading isn’t to bad a good flick of the lever completely ejects the case most of the time.   I would like to replace the scope with something more period correct.  It appears the barrel was drilled and taped for unertl based or something of the sort.    Around what time would you think the rifle was originally built?
  
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oneatatime
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Re: Small martini rifle
Reply #9 - Aug 4th, 2024 at 1:35pm
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Since it has been shot as a Hornet for 35 years I wouldn't worry about it unless you start seeing the primers telling you they aren't happy. I shot a weaker action, an Aydt, in 22 K-Hornet for many years with no problems.
  
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