Milsurp After Hours

Hi there!

Today it arived here, a nice BSA Martini, I think it is a 12/15, but I am not sure.

It was somewhat germanized by installng a Tiroler but stock and a rail in the fore stocke.

Came with hand suport for stangng position and shooting sling swivel.

The trigger is fantastic!!!!!

It need some cleaning, but the barrel looks like new.

Is there any way to tell, when the rifle was made????

Chris

Chris,

Congrats on your purchase - It does look like a BSA indeed, and they can produce some mighty fine accuracy...

as ti the model, the barrel/receiver configuration looks like a 12/15, but the rear of the receiver does not seem to be 'cut out' for the P-H 7A sight - which isn't mounted either. Could you maybe post a detail pic of the sight mounting on the receiver? The sight looks like a BSA model 8 (quite decent indeed), and could you please check the buttstock hole - quite possibly you will find some lead in there, to 'balance' the rifle (I did the same with my 12/15, for offhand work).

Bottom line - nice rifle, decent accessories, now you'll have to get out and shoot it! Benched, you can expect 1" groups at 100m (or less) with ammo it likes, provided you do your bit...

As to the manufacturing date, with the serial no. it sould be possible to track down the year of manufacture.

For more information on BSA rifles have a look at:

http://www.rifleman.org.uk/

and in particular the link to "Miniature Calibre Target Rifles"

David

Thanks for the replys!

The mentioned site got me interested in the BSA Martinis, as I have already two Lee Enfields trainers(veeeeeerrrrry precise rifels!!!!)

The number in P66907.

I wondered also about the No8 rearsight, but maybe I can get a nice PH7 somewhen.

I feel this Martini will not be lonesome for long

There is no lead in the butstock, the butstock itselv is verry heavy, will post some more pice later.

Tomorrow the rifle will be testet on the range.

Chris

Well,

If the butstock is very heavy, there must be something else besides wood in it... - somewhere. Walnut isn't all that heavy, you know.

The stadnard 12/15 is basically a prone match rifle, hence the normal point of balance is rather far forward, making it hard to shoot offhand. The simplest way to cure this is to add a few pounds of lead in the drawbolt hole of the buttstock, hence my remark.

By the way, your rifle dates from 1964. Ah yes, just you know.... Martini's have the annoying habit of breeding in the gun vault, next time you look there is one more - and another, and....

This is at Century, the 200 yds .22 rifle comp. Just to show that shooting is not only a male sport...

http://users.pandora.be/Gert.Claes1/femartbisley.jpg[/pic]

Here are some more pics:

The butstock is realy fat, center of mass is 2" in front of the action.

Have cleaned the lockwork, the trigger weight dropped from 950g to 450g

Chris

Chris , if you would, please hit the edit button and see how I resized your pictures. You have to do it with html. It keeps the forums from being all blown out of shape.

That is one lovely .22" the Chris, congratulations mate.

I find it particulary interesting as it has obviously been customised by a shooter who knew what he/she wanted from a target rifle.

Such flexibility is the beauty of these minature Martini's.

The HARC site is a good one and getting easier to navigate, I shoot in the winter leagues and love every minute of it, can't wait 'till this years season starts.

it does look like a 12/15 indeed, with a BSA no.8 sight - one with the hadley eyecup at that...

Interesting to see a 12/15 customized for offhand, and I bet it is a tackdriver! Actually, I'm practising with mine at 50m now, and she'll hold much better than whatever I can hold. this pic is of a 75m group shot with the irons, benched, 75m with my 12/15 off a simple rest, with cheap Eley target pistol. I was surprised too...

http://users.pandora.be/Gert.Claes1/12-12.75mgroup.jpg[/pic]

This group was at 100m from the bench, the 3 flyers came from the ammo, you could here a different sound.

Amuniton was cheap Schönebeck Bulk pack, will order some Rifle Match next week.

The light trigger is cool, you only have to think and the rifle fires!

Now it ist time for a disassembly and cleaning the rifle. Some minor rust spots need some work and the stock gets a nice oil finish.

Chris