Martini Enfield .303

[john60wales]

good evening!
I'm in the UK & currently have the above rifle on my FAC but as the bore is now toast I was thinking of stripping it down to keep/sell anything useful?
I would then hand the barrel & receiver into the law for destruction.
I know I could keep the woodwork, barrel rings, sights, extractor etc but I'm not sure about the block/firing pin?.
I was also considering having it deactivated & used as a wall hanger but the costs seem prohibitive?
I've seen firing pins/bolts for sale on ebay in europe etc...that would supposedly send to the UK...but not sure that would satisfy UK plod?
cheers
John

[BVZ24]

If it's legal enough, one could replace the barrel with an smle barrel and modified smle forestock to make a fairly handy carbine. Do not cut the original wood unless it's cut already, not much of that full length 303 wood exists.
I thought I saw a post earlier for a UK source on long lee barrels, which also can be used.
Value wise, it's best to leave it original as possible, but I have no idea what the market value is for anything deactivated.



I'm in the US looking for all those parts if it gets taken apart, so I probably shouldn't suggest repairs. :P

[Sapper740]

There is nothing quite so distasteful to an American as turning in anything to the government for destruction. Why do anything to it if you own it legally. whether you plan to shoot it or not?

[john60wales]

Thanks for the replies.
Unfortunately the UK laws are a lot more stringent than in the US. Each gun has to have a 'slot' on our licence & I'd have to turn it in (or sell it) to free up that slot for another gun.
I won't be doing anything just yet...a lot of thinking to do..
Cheers
John

[ftr53]

Have you considered having the barrel lined (or re-barrelled) for .22, as was done a while back (early 20th Cent.) by Greener, Bonehill, and London Small Arms (and maybe some others)? A block adjustment of a few degrees will position the firing pin for rimfire ignition vs. centerfire. You'll get a lot of mileage out of it as a .22.
I have a full-length 1887 Mk IV converted for the SMRC by LSA, and an 1879 Mk III, converted in 1897 at Enfield to a .303 Artillery Carbine I, then 'Converted for the N.R.A. by W.W. Greener,' (as inscribed over the V.R. 1897 cypher) probably around 1910-12.
They're both very accurate, cheap to shoot, and always turn heads at the range. Everyone who shoots them is fascinated by them and amazed at the history as well. And they're a hoot to shoot!

Hope you can keep it running within the laws, and give it a new career as a .22! Enjoy!

[john60wales]

I still shoot it occasionally using about 20gns of 2400 & a 175gn bullet...with at least a modicum nof success.
I also have a BSA 12/15 which I shoot regularly...so not sure the conversion costs would be worth it for me...but I will at least think about it..
Cheers
John

[Surpmil]

Would it really be worth the bother of selling bits as opposed to the whole thing? Anything will sell at market price, or a little less.

Considering the healthy market for deacts in the UK, one would think those who trade in them would be potential buyers.

[jamie5070]

Post on the british military forums site. There is a martini forum there.

[ftr53]

I still shoot it occasionally using about 20gns of 2400 & a 175gn bullet...with at least a modicum nof success.
I also have a BSA 12/15 which I shoot regularly...so not sure the conversion costs would be worth it for me...but I will at least think about it..
Cheers
John

That's great. It certainly sounds worth investigating, even if only just to find out if it's do-able--and for how much . . . .

[john60wales]

Thanks again for the replies...I'm just about to visit the range with my old pietta BP revolver...but will consider all the replies I've received over next few weeks/months before deciding what to do..
Cheers
John