BSA Martini International
Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 2:46 pm
I went shopping last week and came home with a BSA Martini International Mark II that I bought on behalf of my club. It went on the club paperwork even though I paid for it. It cost £150 (approx $240 USD).
It is a Mark II and was made in the transition period from Mark I to II. It dates from 1954, as that is the date of proof. The Mark II marking is electro pencelled and not stamped as they usually are so I presume it was going to be a Mark I and got upgraded to Mark II. It is a heavy beast and weighs in at about thirteen pounds. It is in reasonable condition for a sixty year old rifle. It shoots well enough with cheap Geco ammunition so should shoot even better with more upmarket rounds. They usually have two scope blocks on the barrel but this has been fitted with a long scope rail which makes it much more flexible for mounting a scope, though it will be used with the target sights fitted. It also had the loading block fitted. The forend has been carefully trimmed to fit the block when it is horizontal.
A few pictures. These were taken with my old camera, not the posh new one.
Regards
Peter.
It is a Mark II and was made in the transition period from Mark I to II. It dates from 1954, as that is the date of proof. The Mark II marking is electro pencelled and not stamped as they usually are so I presume it was going to be a Mark I and got upgraded to Mark II. It is a heavy beast and weighs in at about thirteen pounds. It is in reasonable condition for a sixty year old rifle. It shoots well enough with cheap Geco ammunition so should shoot even better with more upmarket rounds. They usually have two scope blocks on the barrel but this has been fitted with a long scope rail which makes it much more flexible for mounting a scope, though it will be used with the target sights fitted. It also had the loading block fitted. The forend has been carefully trimmed to fit the block when it is horizontal.
A few pictures. These were taken with my old camera, not the posh new one.
Regards
Peter.