Home | Ezine | Forums | Links | Contact
NitroExpress.com: A Martini sporting rifle

View recent messages : 24 hours | 48 hours | 7 days | 14 days | 30 days | 60 days | More Smilies


*** Enjoy NitroExpress.com? Participate and join in. ***

Double Rifles, Single Shots & Combinations >> Single Shots & Combination Guns

Pages: 1 | 2 | >> (show all)
VonGruff
.400 member


Reged: 08/02/09
Posts: 1119
Loc: South Otago, New Zealand.
A Martini sporting rifle
      #273104 - 12/11/15 04:38 PM

Some time ago a friend was showing me a a small bent blank and said that at some stage he would like it to be for a Martini sporting rifle (in 303 of course) so when he rang a short while back to say he had a good take-off SMLE barrel put on a spare action it was time to make a start on it. At the same time I had a call for a pattern stock for a Mk 3 Lee Enfield so I started them at the same time to simplfy the set-up for drilling the stock holes. I turned the forestock pattern for the Martini upside down and end for end on the blank to get the grain flow right.







--------------------
Von Gruff.

Exodus 20:1-17

Acts 4:10-12


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
VonGruff
.400 member


Reged: 08/02/09
Posts: 1119
Loc: South Otago, New Zealand.
Re: A Martini sporting rifle [Re: VonGruff]
      #273105 - 12/11/15 04:41 PM

With the headless bolt in place a start can be made



With the headless bolt down the bolt hole the socket dimensions can be marked on the face of the stock then a free handed interior line marked round so the process can start.





Smoking it down into position.





It can then be bolted up to check for tight fit against the face of the socket and the socket edges





The forestock is started by marking out and cutting the action stub





And the roughing out can start.



--------------------
Von Gruff.

Exodus 20:1-17

Acts 4:10-12


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
VonGruff
.400 member


Reged: 08/02/09
Posts: 1119
Loc: South Otago, New Zealand.
Re: A Martini sporting rifle [Re: VonGruff]
      #273106 - 12/11/15 04:43 PM

Finished off the forestock barrel channel

Then the forestock latch needed seeing to




--------------------
Von Gruff.

Exodus 20:1-17

Acts 4:10-12


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
VonGruff
.400 member


Reged: 08/02/09
Posts: 1119
Loc: South Otago, New Zealand.
Re: A Martini sporting rifle [Re: VonGruff]
      #273107 - 12/11/15 04:45 PM

I put it together just to see how it looked

Then it was the turn of the butt plate so it got marked out and the beak inlet


Then some thickness was planed off the butt stock to make less material to be removed when getting the plate fitted


I forgot to take a pic when I did it but the lever cup was fitted when the butt stock was still in the square


And then the start of some shaping began but the day had been long enough that a rudimentary shape was all I got it to.


--------------------
Von Gruff.

Exodus 20:1-17

Acts 4:10-12


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
VonGruff
.400 member


Reged: 08/02/09
Posts: 1119
Loc: South Otago, New Zealand.
Re: A Martini sporting rifle [Re: VonGruff]
      #273108 - 12/11/15 04:46 PM

The first chore today was to fit the barrel band attachment for the forestock and as it was smaller in inside diameter than needed to get as far up the barrel as the forestock dimensions required. A piece of 220 grit wet and dry was wrapped around the barrel with the band over it and by working it back and forward and having many tries I was able to increase the I D.


Still a way to go as I wanted it to cover the main pin hole for the original rear sight . ( this is a good take-off smle barrel) The cross barrel pin hole can have a pin driven in and dressed off later on.


Having marked where it was to go to on the barrel and transferred the marking to the forestock it was time to remove a little wood


--------------------
Von Gruff.

Exodus 20:1-17

Acts 4:10-12


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
VonGruff
.400 member


Reged: 08/02/09
Posts: 1119
Loc: South Otago, New Zealand.
Re: A Martini sporting rifle [Re: VonGruff]
      #273109 - 12/11/15 04:47 PM

With the band fitting into the forestock I could drive it onto the barrel. A good clean and a light smear of Imperial sizing wax was enough to help get it up to the desired point where it is a very tight no slip fit. It took a little to drive it the last 1/2 mm but a brass block and going round the band got it sorted. Of course I did set a level on the action bottom to get it right in the vise and then checked the bottom of the band nut to make sure as I went forward.

The machine screw that had been with it needed a little shortening and the back of the head re-shaped to mate with the counter bore in the forestock but eventually it all came together.

Then the excess width was bandsawn off


--------------------
Von Gruff.

Exodus 20:1-17

Acts 4:10-12

Edited by VonGruff (12/11/15 05:20 PM)


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
VonGruff
.400 member


Reged: 08/02/09
Posts: 1119
Loc: South Otago, New Zealand.
Re: A Martini sporting rifle [Re: VonGruff]
      #273110 - 12/11/15 04:49 PM

The rest of the day was taken up with shaping the forestock


And finishing the butt stock shaping, with it all sanded to 100 grit

At this stage it will wait till Euan can have a check fit as the brief was to make this a slim trim sporter and putting it on the scales it tips them at 6 lb 1 oz with the only addition to be a set of open sights and a barrel band sling eye (half way between the forend tip and the muzzle) so it will probably not go over about 6 lb 3 or 4 when finished. The grain in this one is quite spectacular as the full fiddle back in the forestock runs back down the wrist of the butstock where it reduces and straightens into the dark and light pattern. With some alkanet and oil it will be quite striking.
At this stage I should post one of the very many that were bought down on a thumb drive to show me what the ideal would be and at least to my eye I think I am about as close as I can get going off a picture.


--------------------
Von Gruff.

Exodus 20:1-17

Acts 4:10-12

Edited by VonGruff (12/11/15 05:08 PM)


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
NitroXAdministrator
.700 member


Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 39066
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
Re: A Martini sporting rifle [Re: VonGruff]
      #273126 - 13/11/15 02:04 AM

Starting to look good.

My photo is not very good as the shadows are a bit deep.



http://forums.nitroexpress.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=2418&an=&page=0&vc=1

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
DarylS
.700 member


Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 26414
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
Re: A Martini sporting rifle [Re: NitroX]
      #273131 - 13/11/15 03:20 AM

Great Tutorial, V.Gruff.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
VonGruff
.400 member


Reged: 08/02/09
Posts: 1119
Loc: South Otago, New Zealand.
Re: A Martini sporting rifle [Re: DarylS]
      #273135 - 13/11/15 04:12 AM

The one thing I did do differently to the pic which was discussed at planning stage was to lengthen the wrist so tat I could leave off the comb fluting. If you check the latch end of the lever in the sample pic I put up and the one that John added, you can see that the lever end is behind the comb nose which can crown the hand and so the sporting version have the fluting the relieve this area. By lengthening the wrist the fluting becomes superflous. I have a suitable piece of buffalo horn which I will suggest to Euan for the forestock tip but he often prefers them plain. Will see him at the weekend so will know then.

--------------------
Von Gruff.

Exodus 20:1-17

Acts 4:10-12


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Bidgee
.375 member


Reged: 08/04/15
Posts: 711
Loc: Northern Rivers, NSW
Re: A Martini sporting rifle [Re: VonGruff]
      #273145 - 13/11/15 08:26 AM

Hi VG,

Love your work, I wished I had 10% of your skill.

When you are shaping the stock and fore end do you use a rasp or power tools?

Cheers


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
VonGruff
.400 member


Reged: 08/02/09
Posts: 1119
Loc: South Otago, New Zealand.
Re: A Martini sporting rifle [Re: Bidgee]
      #273149 - 13/11/15 09:32 AM

Thanks guys.
A mix of planes and rasps mostly. A horseshoe rasp at the coarse end is wonderfull for long straight strokes and then finer wood working rasps till it gets close. 80grit emery paper makes for good quick cutting as well

--------------------
Von Gruff.

Exodus 20:1-17

Acts 4:10-12


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
LesLeeSpeed
.300 member


Reged: 14/11/13
Posts: 223
Loc: Queensland Australia
Re: A Martini sporting rifle [Re: VonGruff]
      #273150 - 13/11/15 10:10 AM

Hi,
A wonderful tutorial VonGruff. I admire your skill with wood and the ability to explain in a few words the process involved.
Keep it up, I enjoy following the progress of your projects. I only wish you lived near me.
LesLeeSpeed


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
93x64mm
.416 member


Reged: 07/12/11
Posts: 3954
Loc: Nth QLD Australia
Re: A Martini sporting rifle [Re: LesLeeSpeed]
      #273214 - 14/11/15 10:27 AM

Von Gruff,
did you see AFRO408's take down feature?
It would be a cool feature maybe possible then to do to your action?
http://forums.nitroexpress.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=163459&an=0&page=2#Post163459
more for you to think about
Cheers 93x64mm


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
VonGruff
.400 member


Reged: 08/02/09
Posts: 1119
Loc: South Otago, New Zealand.
Re: A Martini sporting rifle [Re: 93x64mm]
      #273222 - 14/11/15 02:27 PM

I think it would need a more substantial forestock to take that fixture. and would add weight that Euans dosent want.

He called in today and we discussed )among many other topics) the buffalo horn forend tip and so that is going to be attended to next


Another really good outcome of the day was that he bought down the original fish belly 5 shot magazine we traded that is for Lee Speed (styled) rifle I built for myself some time back. It is the finishing touch I have wanted since starting the rifle.



--------------------
Von Gruff.

Exodus 20:1-17

Acts 4:10-12


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
VonGruff
.400 member


Reged: 08/02/09
Posts: 1119
Loc: South Otago, New Zealand.
Re: A Martini sporting rifle [Re: VonGruff]
      #273364 - 16/11/15 03:32 PM

Nothing quite like cutting the end off a fully shaped forestock to add the tip for making you very carefull of measurements etc



Normally I have three brass dowels to hold the tip on but this forestock is so slim that I only really had room for two. The 1/8 in brass dowels are bruised with a set of end nippers to make them a bit more grippy and the epoxy is mixed with a touch of black concrete die to match the the horn tip after it is polished just in case there is any imperfections in the mating surfaces





All clamped up where it will sit for a couple of days while I do other "stuff".


--------------------
Von Gruff.

Exodus 20:1-17

Acts 4:10-12


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Sarg
.400 member


Reged: 20/01/07
Posts: 1365
Loc: Nil
Re: A Martini sporting rifle [Re: VonGruff]
      #273383 - 16/11/15 07:47 PM

Awesome work Von Gruff another cool rifle coming together !

Thank you for taking the time to document & post the build, just great !


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
DarylS
.700 member


Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 26414
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
Re: A Martini sporting rifle [Re: Sarg]
      #273408 - 17/11/15 03:06 AM

That is nice! Well done.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
VonGruff
.400 member


Reged: 08/02/09
Posts: 1119
Loc: South Otago, New Zealand.
Re: A Martini sporting rifle [Re: DarylS]
      #273512 - 18/11/15 10:41 AM

A few hours this morning had the raw horn shaped back to where the old tip had been


With tape around the end of the file I can make sure that I am keeping things from getting down past the original bed. I keep the taped end in the barrel channel but had to sit it like this so it would balance for the pic.



So back to a 150grit finish at this stage.



--------------------
Von Gruff.

Exodus 20:1-17

Acts 4:10-12


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Jim_C
.300 member


Reged: 09/08/14
Posts: 169
Loc: USA
Re: A Martini sporting rifle [Re: VonGruff]
      #273590 - 19/11/15 04:03 PM

Having stocked a couple of Martinis, I'm impressed with the speed of your work. I think on each Martini stocking job, I spent 95% of my time trying to figure out what to do next, and how to do it. That headless bolt trick is genius; I suspect I'll use it from now on.

I'm pleased to note that the order of operations I worked out is similar to yours (except I waited til after sanding the forend before deciding to add a tip) (both times).


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
VonGruff
.400 member


Reged: 08/02/09
Posts: 1119
Loc: South Otago, New Zealand.
Re: A Martini sporting rifle [Re: Jim_C]
      #273591 - 19/11/15 04:26 PM

Getting the order of things right is a big help all right.
Today saw it sanded to 360 grit then wetted and re-sanded then repeated twice more with 600grit after which it has had two applications of alkanet root oil. It will gradually get finished over the coming week or two.

--------------------
Von Gruff.

Exodus 20:1-17

Acts 4:10-12


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
VonGruff
.400 member


Reged: 08/02/09
Posts: 1119
Loc: South Otago, New Zealand.
Re: A Martini sporting rifle [Re: VonGruff]
      #274409 - 02/12/15 04:04 PM

I am about ready to call this one done although with the fiddle back and grain endings it took 27 coats of oil for it to stop sucking in and seal the surface.





--------------------
Von Gruff.

Exodus 20:1-17

Acts 4:10-12


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
DarylS
.700 member


Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 26414
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
Re: A Martini sporting rifle [Re: VonGruff]
      #274433 - 03/12/15 03:57 AM

Nicely done, Gruff.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
50Calshtr
.300 member


Reged: 01/11/05
Posts: 119
Loc: Southeast Georgia
Re: A Martini sporting rifle [Re: DarylS]
      #274520 - 04/12/15 12:44 PM

Von Gruff,
Great looking rifles. If you don't mind me asking where did you get the barrel band for the Martini? I'm doing a similar rifle now and that seems to be the best way to hang the fore end.
Thanks.


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
VonGruff
.400 member


Reged: 08/02/09
Posts: 1119
Loc: South Otago, New Zealand.
Re: A Martini sporting rifle [Re: 50Calshtr]
      #274525 - 04/12/15 02:43 PM

It is from a Lee Enfield, a No 1 Mk 3 SMLE inner band

This a sample pic off the net
http://www.ebay.com/itm/lee-enfield-smle...=item21051e2efe

--------------------
Von Gruff.

Exodus 20:1-17

Acts 4:10-12

Edited by VonGruff (04/12/15 02:50 PM)


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Pages: 1 | 2 | >> (show all)



Extra information
0 registered and 44 anonymous users are browsing this forum.

Moderator:  Huvius 

Print Topic

Forum Permissions
      You cannot start new topics
      You cannot reply to topics
      HTML is disabled
      UBBCode is enabled

Rating:
Topic views: 12689

Rate this topic

Jump to

Contact Us NitroExpress.com

Powered by UBB.threads™ 6.5.5


Home | Ezine | Forums | Links | Contact


Copyright 2003 to 2011 - all rights reserved