COLLECTOR FIREARMS
P.O. BOX 23010, ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87192 U.S.A.
(505) 255-6868
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Birmingham Small Arms
BSA Small Action Martini Rifles
60,000 small action martini rifles were produced for the Australian government as training
rifles in .310 Rook caliber.
1. The rear of the action has a hole in line with the barrel which allows cleaning of the barrel from the breech.
2. The action tang is drilled and tapped for a receiver peep sight; Parker-Hale No. 7 or 7A target sight,
or BSA No. 8 folding tang sight (which came in 5 different heights).
3. The trigger guard is held by a slotted head threaded pin rather than the split pin found on the Cadets
This appears to be a Model 9
The early BSA catalogs list many different martini models, including models 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,
11, 12, 13, 15, and 12/15. Incidently, the models 1, 2 & 3 were bolt action. None of BSA martini
rifles were marked with the model number, so we have to use our best judgement to classify them.
I've condensed the model descriptions to the most common (see below).
According to a pre-1920 BSA catalog,
"B.S.A. rifles are consistently capable, in the hands of a good shot, of
grouping within a 2-inch circle at 100 yards, or a 4-inch circle at 200 yards.
B.S.A. .22 Target Rifles are not allowed to leave the factory unless they
conform to a very high standard based on these performances."
Many barrels were relined by Parker-Hale or A.G. Parker in England, and guaranteed to be
as accurate (or more accurate) as the original bore. I personally have found this to be true.
An original A.G. Parker brochure on "Pakerifling" from the 1930's states:
TO-DAY a 'PARKERIFLED' barrel is comparable to the finest Match
Barrel. Constant research has produced the most suitable and hard wearing
grade of Swedish Sandvik Steel from which the tubes are drawn."
"'PARKERIFLED' BARRELS SET THE PRESENT DAY STANDARD OF
ACCURACY, a 2in CIRCLE AT 100 YARDS.
CLOSE SHOOTING IS GUARANTEED.
THE 'PARKERIFLED' BARREL SHOOTS BETTER THAN THE
ORIGINAL," IS NO UNCOMMON REMARK.
BSA Small Action Martini rifles Model 12.
The Model 12 weighs about 8 lbs. and has a 29" barrel with 1" diameter at the breech, tapering
to 3/4" at the muzzle. Thinwall or thickwall actions. Heavier than the model 6 & 13,
these work well for hunting and informal target shooting, as well as general plinking.
I've sold many for silhouette rifles. A few are found with the takedown feature, and
occasionally they are found in centerfire (.300 Rook). Straight grip stock wwith a half
length beavertail forend. These come with either a target style, tang mounted, peep sight
(Parker-Hale 7 or 7A) or a barel mounted ladder sight. They were manufactured from about
1909 about 1940, with serial numbers under 55,000. The Model 8 is essentially the
same, but with the shorter 25" barrel. Note: Some barrels may be relined. Model 6 & 13.
Models 6 & 13 are essentially light sporting/target rifles. Weight is about 6 - 7 lbs. and the
lightest we have found. These have a barrel about 25" long, 7/8" diameter at the breech, and a
pencil taper to 5/8" at the muzzle. Actions may be thinwall (like the Cadet), thickwall, or
rebated (thickwall at breech, thinwall at stock). Straight grip stock with a lightweight forend.
A few are found with the take-down feature, and a few are seen in .300 Rook centerfire. They come
with either a target style rear peep sight (Parker-Hale 7 or 7A), or a barrel mounted open
'v' or ladder sight. Very few are found. They appear to have been manufactured between
1909 and 1939. Serial numbers are mixed with other models and are found in the 9,000 to the
high 59,000 range. A few were made with an "R" prefix in the R10,000 - R13,000 serial range.
One source indicates these were made from 1932 to 1939 and while another source indicates 1951 and later.
Note: Some barrels may be relined. Model 12/15.
The Model 12/15 is a target model which weighs about 10 lbs. It comes with a full pistol-
grip buttstock with cheekpiece, and a 3/4 length target forend. Some examples were stocked with Italian
walnut and may be plain or have outstanding figure (see above). It's equipped with target sights;
tang mounted peep rear sight (Parker-Hale 7 or 7A) and tube front sight with replaceable sight insert.
Barrels run about 29" long with 1" at the breech and 3/4" at the muzzle. Occasionally a bull barrel
is found, but are hard to find. No centerfires have been seen - all examined have been .22 rimfire.
This model was manufactured after the model 15 (see below). Introduced in 1947, it is the final model
of the small action martini rifles. The last example was shipped in 1955. Serial numbers have a 'P'
prefix, and are found in the P60,000 to P76,000 serial range. A very few (prewar?) examples are found
without the "P" prefix in the 50,000 and early 60,000 serial range, although these might be gunsmith or factory conversions.
It appears only about 16,000 were manufactured. Note: Some barrels may be relined. Model 15.
The Model 15 is similar to the model 12/15 except for the receiver, which is factory dovetailed for a
special rear peep sight (BSA No. 30). The sight slides up and down in the receiver dovetail.
Like most BSA martini rifles, it has a hole in the rear of the receiver which allows the barrel to be cleaned
from the breech end. Like the Model 12/15, it has a pistol grip buttstock with cheekpiece. Most other
specifications are similar to the 12/15. No centerfire examples have been found. Serial numbers are mixed in
with other models in the 45,000 to high 59,000 serial range, and not very many were made. Note: Some barrels may be relined.
Two special models are seen within the Model 15 group: Model 15 - Special Stock.
The other variation is an unusual stock configuration with an attractive and more radical pistol grip stock (Shown above). Very few found. BSA International.
BSA Small Action Martini Rifles
The world famous BSA Martini rifles were manufactured from 1909 until phased out in 1955 when
the last 12/15 was shipped. The International models were introduced in 1950 and phased out
by 1986. Internationals were greatly improved for .22 target work, although the original
models were far more versatile for conversion to other calibers.
For availability and prices, visit my Martini Sales List (Click Here)
Model 4 (Australian Pattern)
Serial numbers of the commercial rifles began just under 9,000 in 1909,
and ended in 1939 with the high 59,000 range. In 1947, serials were restarted at P60,000
(Model 12/15) and ended with the model in the low P76,000 range. No martini rifles were
produced from November, 1915 until July 1919 because of the war. Production was again halted
in October, 1939, and didn't resume until July, 1947 after the rifle was reconfigured as the 12/15.
The BSA small action martini came in several configurations, but the most commonly found are
the Cadet model, as sold to Australia for training rifles, and the standard martini, used in nearly
all of the target and sporting rifles. The standard actions are improved over the Cadet models in
the following ways:
For availability and prices, visit my Martini Sales List (Click Here)
For more information on the Model 12, Click Here (U.K. N.R.A. HISTORIC ARMS RESOURCE CENTRE)
For availability and prices, visit my Martini Sales List (Click Here)
For more information Models 6, Click Here (U.K. N.R.A. HISTORIC ARMS RESOURCE CENTRE)
For more information Models 13, Click Here (U.K. N.R.A. HISTORIC ARMS RESOURCE CENTRE)
.
For availability and prices, visit my Martini Sales List (Click Here)
For more information on the Model 12/15, Click Here (U.K. N.R.A. HISTORIC ARMS RESOURCE CENTRE)
The "Centurian", which was specially selected to deliver 1 1/2" groups from the factory, and is identified by a "flat top file-cut rib (on the barrel) which eliminates light reflections."
For availability and prices, visit my Martini Sales List (Click Here)
For availability and prices, visit my Martini Sales List (Click Here)
For more information about the Model 15, Click Here (U.K. N.R.A. HISTORIC ARMS RESOURCE CENTRE)
For availability and prices, visit my Martini Sales List (Click Here)
For more information,
Mark I & II (U.K. N.R.A. HISTORIC ARMS RESOURCE CENTRE)
Mark III (U.K. N.R.A. HISTORIC ARMS RESOURCE CENTRE)
Mark IV & V (U.K. N.R.A. HISTORIC ARMS RESOURCE CENTRE)
Credits
Most of the above information is from original BSA catalogs and advertisements, and examining many BSA martini rifles.
My thanks to Mr. John Knibbs for his history of BSA published in 2002, "The Golden Century", and to
Mr. Terrance O'Hanlon Smith, who's U.K. N.R.A. Historic Arms Resource website is referenced above.
A Classic Custom Small Action .22rf BSA Martini
Case Hardened Receiver
(Click on image for larger view)
This custom rifle was built from a Model 12/15 barreled action by
Dominick Pisano
San Antonio, Texas.
email: dpisano@earthlink.net
Phone 210-696-7621
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