Another direct hit on my points of passion, Sir! I still house and shot all through high school a BSA Martini International Mark III bull gun, with Parker Hale eighth minuit sights. Wonderful triggers for the three pound era and lock times that are great even today. Mine is a prone rifle and too heavy for position shooting, but I did it anyway (back when I had hair and muscles)! You are most correct about relaxation/meditation. One cannot shoot well and concentrate on anything else. An ancient sports study showed that accomplished shooters (unconsciously) only released shots between heartbeats. When they didn't, poorer hits were statistically more likely. Ah, the zen of precision shooting. Thanks for another informative video.
I shot 3 position in high school using a Remington 40x with Al Freeland accessories. Shot competitively for 20 or more years afterwards. After high school, I started my passion for collecting match rifles that I still do to this day. Fast forward 40+ years and I still practice 3 position small-bore. The passion has never left but I am not as sharp as I once was. Still fun going down to public shooting range and blowing the minds of younger and older shooters by out shooting their scoped rifles with iron sights. Never get tired of that. BTW my favorite is the BSA International MK2.
Same here, I did my required rifle shooting course at a Club with a BSA Martini action rifle, mostly because I am left-handed and left master eyed. However, my father had taught me to shoot with a Rifle No.1 Mk III* SMLE.
I own three win 52’s, one of which is a 52D. I recently purchased a BSA mark IV and all I can say is wow! What a work of art. I love shooting the martini. The next rifle I add to my collection will be another martini.
For a number of years I owned a Winchester 52 manufactured in 1919 (serial number 21). It was fitted with a Unertl external adjustment scope much like the one in this video. On a quiet day with match ammunition it would shoot minute of angle ten shot groups at 100 yards.
Hi Philip - Remarkable action, rifle and scope. I'm sure there are newer ways and means but I'm not so sure anything being made today is more accurate....at least for me. God Bless.
Great video and another trip down memory Lane. I had a MkI in 1970 with which I shot my first possible at 25yds in Lydd Army camp Kent . The highlight of these BSAs was the MKIII then finally a MkIV version and a colleague John Hesketh had one of which I still have a photograph of he with his rifle, but the number crunchers were starting to impact on BSA production and it truly was not held in the same regard as the MK II or III. Not long after of course Anschutz started to make their mark and that was the start of the slippery slope for BSA and I gravitated to one of them too. Your MKII looks in remarkably good condition ad the scope was used in Any sights competitions, that being said, as you mention the aperture sights could still best most scope set ups if that era. I used a Tasco with the external adjustment system which was semi affordable in those times and I subsequently went on to install it on one of the first 17 Remington centre fires imported into the U.K. with reasonable results but then went on to a Redfield 3200 and then hand carried a 6400 back from the states both with internal adjustment, which had a very fine cross hair and 1/8 MOA centre dot, which when installed on the Anshutz Super Match of the day enabled one to easily place all shots in the ten ring such was the inherent accuracy of those target rifles with good target ammo coupled with the excellent optics. I have Gun Digests going back to 1954 and they feature many of the very interesting items you bring to our attention from the past
Picking up my BSA International Mk 4/5 today. Can't wait. Also have a BSA 12/15 (an older BSA Martini target model) and a very rare, Vickers Martini target rifle. Love these old, single shot Martini's.
That scope on that BSA made me think of a fire lookout tower close to where we live. And in the tower is a great big fire spotting apparatus. It consists of a table a big compass and something similar to a rifle scope. So if the ranger spots a forest fire he can pinpoint its location and relay that to the fire crews. I'm sure the thing is close to 100 years old but I just wanted to point out it was built by Leopold.
@@UnitedStatesOfGuns would you happen to have any idea what a mklll in as good of condition as this one with a scope mounted similar to this one be worth. it still has all the original sites and a ball grip stored in the original wood case which is also in near perfect condition. This one has been stored away and protected for a very long time. any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. A side note for Mr. Turkey please pardon the intrusion to your comment, I thought it would be more likely to be seen this way and thank you for your understanding.
I have a BSA Martini. Dropping the action out is as easy as taking a bolt out. Pull the under lever down, unscrew and pull out the knob and the whole action drops out in one block. You can then clean and oil. Assembly is just the reverse.
I used to own the exact same BSA that you showed. Mine had a big Unertyl scope. It was one of the most accurate .22's I ever owned. By the way, the trigger group drops right out of the bottom of the receiver and is very easy to put back in. The trigger group is a sight to behold and the machine work and finish are superb. I aiso owned the model 12 and 15 BSA Martini's. While they were not in the same catagory as the International Match, they were nice little rifles.
I wonder if the telescope on your Martini rifle is missing the return to battery spring, which is mounted behind the front scope mount and attaches to the tube body on similar rifle scopes. The crosshairs on these telescopes are indeed very delicate, many of these crosshairs were made using spider silk - I know, hard to believe but true.
I just picked up a KKM chambered in 22 hornet very similar to yours, wood stock 1961 date of manufacture I beleive. Hope I can afford to shoot it! Thanks again for the fine vid. You're a gentleman sir.
These were also available totally left handed. I have two with 7/8 inch scopes. Sometimes these are really great deals as the scopes are sometimes as valuable as the rifle. Left handed sights are also out there if you look long enough.
Amazing - I had no idea - this one seems to shoot less than dime size groups at 50 yards with sporting ammo - to me that's pretty good. Thanks for the note.
If you unscrew that large knob on the right hand side, and pull out, the trigger unit, rather large, drops out from the bottom. One huge group. Easy to remove and replace.
Love old target rifles with old scope that are 2 feet long..my favorite to build. Ive got a BSA similar to yours..with a Uberti style scope on it..very well made rifles..sold a nice one to a fellow in Ontario a couple years back..beautiful..it had diopter sights..& was longer. I think the little wheel on the receiver..drops the trigger group out..but its been a while since I looked at one.
I was actually going to buy that EXACT walther, I hummed and hawed about it over night considering what I was going to do about that tan paint and decided Id probably just have it sandblasted, when I went back to buy it in the AM it was sold .. then low and behold I see it on none other than USOGS channel, so funny. Hope you enjoy it sir
What a gorgeous rifle. I have a Kimber government model that was used in Army training. I have put a 6 - 20 x 40 nikon scope on it, but have not had time to sight it in.
These are surprisingly inexpensive, my brother got his B.S.A. Mark II (without any scope, just an aperture) for around 200 bucks and it's in pristine condition, great shooter, actually one of my favorite rifles from his vault, at last one that seems to be made with my proportions in mind, that's apparently quite rare.
I'm 67 years old but when I was 13 my father bought me a BSA rifle with a Martini action. Outstanding training rifle. My Dad shot in the UK and was a decent county level shooter and got to take part in the Nationals at Bisley a number of times. These were the pistol contests, where if you scored less than 95 out of 100, you were not good enough to be "invited" to take part... Just a little bit above my personal level of ability...
Hi Brian - Thanks for the anecdote - yes indeed the BSA rifles are outstanding. The 95/100 would have sent me directly to the Guinness and anyway, every shot hits in the pub : ) All the best to you Brian
I have a cadet martini in 22 bee. With a j.W fecker scope. Also have a Martini in 22 rimfire with peep sights. The 22 bee is a 25x20 Winchester necked down to 224.
ANOTHER GREAT VIDEO, INTERESTING AND INFORMATIVE!! COOL RIFLE came close to purchasing one of the BSA 22lr, just wasn't I believe the INTERNATIONAL but did have a very nice rear peep sight set-up!!! Unfortunately at that time, I did not quite have the money to get it but I DO NOW!! HOPE I HAVE ANOTHER CHANCE TO GET ONE!!!😊😊
As for the BSA, there are left handed versions of the internationals MkII, III, and IV for sure, and they aren't super rare. They are are completely reverse receiver and stock, but most of the sights are right handed, since they came separate. EDIT: I meant to say that the left handed versions are not super rare as compared to the right handers, not that there are more lefties than rights. I've been looking for a LH MkIII for some time now and out of 5 I've seen total, one was left. I have noticed that target rifle makers are much less averse to making left hand models.
Target shooting is very relaxing. Too bad is is not encouraged or taught anymore. Used to shoot in sea cadets and boy scouts in indoor ranges. Still enjoy the sport today and have several target rifles. Thanks for showing the BSA Martini. it is one of the few rifles left on my bucket list. Very much enjoy your channel.
When I shot 4p winter league many of the ranges we shot were in closed down hs and middle schools. The old days when marksmanship was noble and guns not frowned upon amn tought in public schools. Ps-i have the same bsa as you review from 25 years ago during my league shooting. I was a poor shot but enjoyed the company
Oh boy! I had a BSA MARTINI INTERNATIONAL like that several years ago. I regrettably traded it 😭 and wish I had it back. Mine had a Litschert scope on it similar to the scope as yours. Very very accurate rifle indeed. Thanks for a great video 👍
That scope is amazing! Hard to believe such precision would come from what looks like a couple kids cobbled it together from pipes in the garage.😀 but I’m sure when you’re holding it it’s easy to see it’s a precision instrument. So going back a few videos, I just took possession a few minutes ago of an old Lakefield Mossberg 500. I had the barrel cut down to 19” and threaded for chokes. Man that thing runs slicker than snot! Big ole wooden corn cob forend, and stock. Just love it. Now I have to wait a week to try it. 😬
Love your channel. Love to see wood on a gun not like all the new plastic Rambo junk guns out there on youtube no plate carriers just good old rifles. I have extreme envy your collection fantastic.
I have a BSA MK2 and by far it is the slickest and fastest lock time of any rifle I ever handled. Off bench and with bipod, I have fired several groups in the .30 inch range at 50 yards and that's with the Parker PH25 rear and globe front sight. I was using a variety of off the shelf ammo cheaper ammo like CCI standard velocity and more budget "target" ammo. I read somewhere the barrel blanks were sourced from the USA and the gun was guaranteed 1 inch or less at 100yds. I don't care where they sourced the parts. Just glad they produced this rifle. What a work of craftsmanship indeed. Could you imagine the cost of producing this gun today? I also have the BSA Century bolt action and it too shoots like a dream. TY for posting this review!
You've got two of the best - as you know - the MK2 is a diamond; I recently bought a Vickers Jubilee - can't wait to make a video. Take care and thanks for the note.
The scope could be a Unertl, which although German sounding in name, were actually made in the USA. When I started shooting benchrest competition in the 70s those scopes were quite common and where I learned CL/CD (clockwise left, clockwise down). The micrometer adjustments tended to not be marked and I watched more that one shooter trying to get one sighted in use up a bunch of ammo because they were turning the wrong way. I have a Unertl Programmer scope on a heavy benchrest rifle and that scope had amazing optics back in the 70s. No compromises for length and weight it was about 30 inches long and weighed about 3 pounds.
The Internationals were made in absolutely mirror image left handed versions. I have two Mark IIs and just found a nice left handed mark III. There was not a mark I, but the model 12 and 12/15 you describe were manufactured before. The really hard things to find are the left handed rear aperture sights. Old scopes like that are Unertyls, Lischerts, and Lymans, among some lesser known brands. They are regularly for sale on e-bay. Some 7/8 inch scopes are more expensive than the rifles. Hi-Lux optics makes Malcoms that are more or less reproductions.
@@UnitedStatesOfGunsI just found a reference to a mark I, so they do exist but they are not very common and there are also mark IVs and mark Vs. The mark III has a free floated barrel, unlike the mark II. The mark IIs are accurate, but take a warm up shot or two. They are not too different from the mark IIIs, but the mark Vs have a thumb hole stock. Old West Scrounger in Martinsburg, WV has a lot of these for sale right now (4/2/24). Not sure about the others as the left handed variants are generally in very good condition like my new mark III. These come with aperture sights and never fitted for 7/8 inch scopes. The takedown knob just drops the trigger group for cleaning. I attended an old style military school and we had a basement range, locker room, cafeteria dining hall, and indoor assembly room. It all worked, but EPA lead regulation in 1968 appeared to be the impetus for building a new building with a better ventilated range.
I know you enjoy the Swiss straight pulls, I’d love to see you try out some diopter sights. For me it took the pleasure of shooting to a new level not to mention shooting under an inch 100 yards easily with irons is a rush! Would love to see you try them out!
Hi Emory - Good idea! I have a few of those and should make a video. My favorites are the Swiss 7.5x55 Martini action rifles - remarkable rifles although slower for sure. Thanks again.
Work of art that BSA, thanks for sharing. The scope & mount blows me away too. I thought I had a pretty cool scope mount on my vintage 30-06 FN Mauser, it's a Pachmayr swing away that allows me to use the iron sights if desired. Keeps it's zero very well too. They simply don't make kühl stuff like that any more. Speaking of kühl, I'm looking forward to the Anschütz video. The newest & most costly rifle I own at the moment is a Model 1416 Anschütz 22. While it came with a nice enough walnut stock I decided to replace the original with an OEM Anschütz walnut thumbhole stock. Not sure why every rifle doesn't come with a thumbhole, seems so much more natural to hold & shoot. ;-) PS.... did you know walnut shells have been used to clean compressor blades on jet engines in the past? They simply throw them into the engine while it's running.....
You need to remove the swinging block action to clean the bore. No hassle, no damage! I owned a Mk II or Mk III, probably the latter, but would have to find some old notes to work out which one. Still a few being shot here in NZ 🇳🇿, basically as fun guns. The earlier BSA Model 12 and 15 have slightly deeper rifling, probably to cope with black powder fouling and some of those rifles have been converted to .22 WMR for pest control work, obviously with sighting telescope, as well.
The scope brings back a lot of memories. About 1960, my dad purchased a Winchester M52 which had a J.W. Fecker scope and mounts almost identical to this. I was only 12 at the time so I don't remember the power, but it was pretty high. This scope had a ring with a spring mounted in it right behind the front bell which was supposed to keep the scope from getting out of position when the gun was fired. This was necessary even with a .22 since the Fecker moved to and fro as easily as yours does, making me wonder if your scope might have had a similar spring at one time. You thought the gun might be able to hold inside a nickel at 50 yards (?) It can. My dad would make our own targets by drawing a circle around a nickel and painting it white. The 52 with the Fecker scope would stay well inside that nickel all day unless one of us pulled a shot. I'm not so sure how that would work out anymore, considering how the quality of .22 ammo has deteriorated, with even some of the high dollar stuff being less than reliable. Anyway; beautiful gun and scope, and the first of that type I've seen. Thanks for always doing a great job!!
Great recollection! Thanks for writing. They're a special scope for sure - and with the M52 - incredible accuracy possible. Your dad bought well - he must have known guns and scopes. All the best.
I sometimes regret that I never bought a BSA Martini International. My fellow club members were shocked when I bought an Anshutz Mod 54 in 1962 instead of the BSA Mk 111. They all said the Anshutz would never beat the BSA. Incidentally there never was a BSA Martini International Mk 1. It was just the BSA Martini International. When they made a new one they had to call it Mk 11.
How funny: in the vault are a Walther UIT of 1964 and it has the same bolt as your example of 20 years later. Great but not greatest in my vault. Well… made a 13 mm ctc grouping on 100 m with diopter! Very great is a A-54 super match for prone shooting, large hook included. I put recently a scope on it and had to get adjustable mounts because there is a step between front and back 11 mm dovetail groove. Best is my Martini MKII. Still with the original Parker Hale adjustable diopter. So heavy, so stable. Consistently < 1 MOA groups on 100 m . With SK standard +, SK Rifle Match, GECO rifle or RWS rifle match”S”. I am already 5 years waiting until the owner of a French Unique T-2000 finally passes this treasure to me. Maybe I will add a FWB, Haenel or Hämmerli as well. Still regret that I didn’t bring home that Schulz& Larsen and Remington 5xx-T , each 150€ . Stupid me.
@@UnitedStatesOfGuns it might be a running target rifle as well, in which case it should have a balance weight that screws on the end and (originally) a wooden buttplate as per the UIT rules
I like your videos, I am just not a collector and can apricate where you are coming from. I just want to play with stuff and probably make guys like you pill your hair out. However, you torched on a few things here lately with your .22 videos in my wheel house. I have a Winchester 52B I bough in a pawn shop in 1987, it was just to odd to pass up. It is a custom target rifle from 1950 with no sights on it and needed to be reblued. It is a great shooter and I love to show it off and let others have the opportunity to shoot historic rifles. I put Redfield Olympic peep sights on it, but it is based for a target scope like the one on your Martini, I suspect the owner went both ways with it. I always wondered who did the gunsmithing on this rifle. 6 months ago I finally figured it out; it is one of Al Freeland's Winchester 52B's that came out of his Rock Island shop, and I have documented proof who it was made for. It began life as a barrel action sold through Al Freeland - who sent it over to Eric Johnson who put one of his barrels on it and sent it back to Al shop to be made into a prone rifle. It was a real cool fine that I think I have done well with it for history.
That's fantastic Chuck - you know you have a super accurate and high value rifle there! Well done on tracking down the provenance. Thanks for the note!
Hi USOG That scope is sort of like a Unertl I have on one of my 22-250s except no spring around the tube, Does it work the same as one where you have to reset it after every shot? And if you have one like mine with the spring can you make a short video on the PROPER way to use one, Mine is from the sixties I think its beautiful but I have watch videos and people have told me a mixture of things but in short I have not been able to make the thing work yet, Its on its original barrel a Vintage Fhifer I hope im spelling that correct so any info on proper usage of Spring Unertls would be greatly helpful Thank you Joe. PS your 22s are nice all of them!
Thanks for the info! I haven’t gotten into foreign vintage scopes too much yet. I have a decent collection of vintage us production scopes and the fecker is the only domestic scope with the paralax in the center that I know of
The parallax adjustment looks the same an 8X Fecker scope in my collection. I suspect that Fecker made this scope for P-H. The Mk II was superseded by the Mk3 International about 1950. For many years it was the only Olympic-quality target rifle available in a mirror-image true left-hand version, which my lefty wife still proudly has. The knob on the right side merely allows the trigger and breech block assembly to be removed for easy cleaning. That also allows a cleaning rod to pass through the barrel from the breech, protecting the crown. Wonderful rifle you have there, sir. Thanks for sharing it.
Hi Mike, long time-no "talk". I’ve been on your Patreon team for a couple of years but have missed out on tons. Haven’t even been able to go up to the VFGPA Range for a long time as I’ve been in the hospital. I would like to have a more private conversation with you about a rifle that would be well-suited for me. We’ve talked about it before & I’d like to "reprise" that chat…about an easily cycled target rifle. I love my Tikka with the “Extended Bolt Handle", and it’s capable of using every foot/inch of the ~250 yards available to use at the Range here on Southern Vancouver Island. Membership prices jumped from $200 to $300 in one year because of some property that was being sold. So now that the Range owns significantly more land, hopefully a long-distance rifle range will be created. Campbell River has a Range that’s ~750 yards, but that’s a long drive from Victoria! I digress. Hope you and yours are doing well, and thanks very much for sharing another great video. I really should take advantage of my Patreon membership! Whatever. Be well! (Brent, aka: "The Sunrise Kid”👨🏼🦼from "WestCoaster’s" UA-cam videos/"channel"). Hey! Have a great day.
Hello! Wonderful to hear from you! I'm glad you're better - out of hospital. Please send me an email at usogbyemail@gmail.com and I'll get back to you; looking forward to speaking with you on a call. Take care and all the best!
Another direct hit on my points of passion, Sir! I still house and shot all through high school a BSA Martini International Mark III bull gun, with Parker Hale eighth minuit sights. Wonderful triggers for the three pound era and lock times that are great even today. Mine is a prone rifle and too heavy for position shooting, but I did it anyway (back when I had hair and muscles)! You are most correct about relaxation/meditation. One cannot shoot well and concentrate on anything else. An ancient sports study showed that accomplished shooters (unconsciously) only released shots between heartbeats. When they didn't, poorer hits were statistically more likely. Ah, the zen of precision shooting. Thanks for another informative video.
I shot 3 position in high school using a Remington 40x with Al Freeland accessories. Shot competitively for 20 or more years afterwards. After high school, I started my passion for collecting match rifles that I still do to this day. Fast forward 40+ years and I still practice 3 position small-bore. The passion has never left but I am not as sharp as I once was. Still fun going down to public shooting range and blowing the minds of younger and older shooters by out shooting their scoped rifles with iron sights. Never get tired of that. BTW my favorite is the BSA International MK2.
Same here, I did my required rifle shooting course at a Club with a BSA Martini action rifle, mostly because I am left-handed and left master eyed. However, my father had taught me to shoot with a Rifle No.1 Mk III* SMLE.
I own three win 52’s, one of which is a 52D. I recently purchased a BSA mark IV and all I can say is wow! What a work of art. I love shooting the martini. The next rifle I add to my collection will be another martini.
For a number of years I owned a Winchester 52 manufactured in 1919 (serial number 21). It was fitted with a Unertl external adjustment scope much like the one in this video. On a quiet day with match ammunition it would shoot minute of angle ten shot groups at 100 yards.
Thank you for explaining that scope. I’ve seen them or something similar and never understood how the springs and adjustments worked.
Very fine scope - I've been shooting the BSA and the scope is sharp and clear.
Hi-Lux scopes makes a 20x replica of that scope and is available as of this posting.
Always great content and I’m sure many viewers agree that there is something very relaxing and enjoyable about target shooting with a 22.
That scope must grow a mm between cold and hot , it better be floating .
Hi Philip - Remarkable action, rifle and scope. I'm sure there are newer ways and means but I'm not so sure anything being made today is more accurate....at least for me. God Bless.
Excellent pair of rifles the BSA is a really great find beautifully built work of art I love the scope design
Great video and another trip down memory Lane. I had a MkI in 1970 with which I shot my first possible at 25yds in Lydd Army camp Kent . The highlight of these BSAs was the MKIII then finally a MkIV version and a colleague John Hesketh had one of which I still have a photograph of he with his rifle, but the number crunchers were starting to impact on BSA production and it truly was not held in the same regard as the MK II or III. Not long after of course Anschutz started to make their mark and that was the start of the slippery slope for BSA and I gravitated to one of them too. Your MKII looks in remarkably good condition ad the scope was used in Any sights competitions, that being said, as you mention the aperture sights could still best most scope set ups if that era. I used a Tasco with the external adjustment system which was semi affordable in those times and I subsequently went on to install it on one of the first 17 Remington centre fires imported into the U.K. with reasonable results but then went on to a Redfield 3200 and then hand carried a 6400 back from the states both with internal adjustment, which had a very fine cross hair and 1/8 MOA centre dot, which when installed on the Anshutz Super Match of the day enabled one to easily place all shots in the ten ring such was the inherent accuracy of those target rifles with good target ammo coupled with the excellent optics. I have Gun Digests going back to 1954 and they feature many of the very interesting items you bring to our attention from the past
Picking up my BSA International Mk 4/5 today.
Can't wait.
Also have a BSA 12/15 (an older BSA Martini target model) and a very rare, Vickers Martini target rifle.
Love these old, single shot Martini's.
Can't miss with those : ) I've always thought the BSA trademark one of the best
That scope on that BSA made me think of a fire lookout tower close to where we live. And in the tower is a great big fire spotting apparatus. It consists of a table a big compass and something similar to a rifle scope. So if the ranger spots a forest fire he can pinpoint its location and relay that to the fire crews. I'm sure the thing is close to 100 years old but I just wanted to point out it was built by Leopold.
Thanks for the note. I learn every day - had no idea Leupold made such a device out there!
@@UnitedStatesOfGuns would you happen to have any idea what a mklll in as good of condition as this one with a scope mounted similar to this one be worth. it still has all the original sites and a ball grip stored in the original wood case which is also in near perfect condition. This one has been stored away and protected for a very long time. any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. A side note for Mr. Turkey please pardon the intrusion to your comment, I thought it would be more likely to be seen this way and thank you for your understanding.
I have a BSA Martini. Dropping the action out is as easy as taking a bolt out. Pull the under lever down, unscrew and pull out the knob and the whole action drops out in one block. You can then clean and oil. Assembly is just the reverse.
everyone is happy to see a BSA, I owned two of those
That thing is definitely cool
I love CCI quits as well. I had one out of a brick stuck only four inches into a 16” barrel.
I used to own the exact same BSA that you showed. Mine had a big Unertyl scope. It was one of the most accurate .22's I ever owned. By the way, the trigger group drops right out of the bottom of the receiver and is very easy to put back in. The trigger group is a sight to behold and the machine work and finish are superb. I aiso owned the model 12 and 15 BSA Martini's. While they were not in the same catagory as the International Match, they were nice little rifles.
Pls
Too true.
I wonder if the telescope on your Martini rifle is missing the return to battery spring, which is mounted behind the front scope mount and attaches to the tube body on similar rifle scopes. The crosshairs on these telescopes are indeed very delicate, many of these crosshairs were made using spider silk - I know, hard to believe but true.
I love this channel, I'm glad I am a subscriber.
Thank you for your kind words and for being here 🙏
Beautiful guns, but the action of the BSA Martini International Mark II reminds me of the Martini-Henry.
I just picked up a KKM chambered in 22 hornet very similar to yours, wood stock 1961 date of manufacture I beleive.
Hope I can afford to shoot it! Thanks again for the fine vid. You're a gentleman sir.
Just bought another CZ bolt .22LR for my mental well being. Great explanation on the scope. Love the mechanics of it. Thanks.
Collecting precision rifles is addictive and I have found hard on the wallet but it keeps me sane LOL.
Incredible. Loved both of them! Thanks for sharing.
These were also available totally left handed. I have two with 7/8 inch scopes. Sometimes these are really great deals as the scopes are sometimes as valuable as the rifle. Left handed sights are also out there if you look long enough.
Amazing - I had no idea - this one seems to shoot less than dime size groups at 50 yards with sporting ammo - to me that's pretty good. Thanks for the note.
If you unscrew that large knob on the right hand side, and pull out, the trigger unit, rather large, drops out from the bottom. One huge group. Easy to remove and replace.
Thank you!!!
Love old target rifles with old scope that are 2 feet long..my favorite to build.
Ive got a BSA similar to yours..with a Uberti style scope on it..very well made rifles..sold a nice one to a fellow in Ontario a couple years back..beautiful..it had diopter sights..& was longer.
I think the little wheel on the receiver..drops the trigger group out..but its been a while since I looked at one.
I was actually going to buy that EXACT walther, I hummed and hawed about it over night considering what I was going to do about that tan paint and decided Id probably just have it sandblasted, when I went back to buy it in the AM it was sold .. then low and behold I see it on none other than USOGS channel, so funny. Hope you enjoy it sir
Should be fun to shoot that combination. Thanks for showing. Very interesting video.
Wow great Video. I saw a similar one with similar scope at a well known gun store in Vancouver a month or so ago. It sold fast. Gorgeous rifle.
Truly that is a beautiful gun.
Thanks for the sharing , enjoyed it much brother.a very interesting topic , see you on the next one, and happy shooting.
What a gorgeous rifle. I have a Kimber government model that was used in Army training. I have put a 6 - 20 x 40 nikon scope on it, but have not had time to sight it in.
That's a scarce rifle - your Government Model - super accurate rig - people compare them to Anschutz target rifles.
These are surprisingly inexpensive, my brother got his B.S.A. Mark II (without any scope, just an aperture) for around 200 bucks and it's in pristine condition, great shooter, actually one of my favorite rifles from his vault, at last one that seems to be made with my proportions in mind, that's apparently quite rare.
Exquisite rifles! Love them!
I find all .22 rimfires relaxing to shoot.
They're quiet, the ammo is inexpensive and even those in the lower price range can be very accurate.
My sentiments exactly! : )
I'm 67 years old but when I was 13 my father bought me a BSA rifle with a Martini action. Outstanding training rifle. My Dad shot in the UK and was a decent county level shooter and got to take part in the Nationals at Bisley a number of times. These were the pistol contests, where if you scored less than 95 out of 100, you were not good enough to be "invited" to take part... Just a little bit above my personal level of ability...
Hi Brian - Thanks for the anecdote - yes indeed the BSA rifles are outstanding. The 95/100 would have sent me directly to the Guinness and anyway, every shot hits in the pub : ) All the best to you Brian
I have a cadet martini in 22 bee. With a j.W fecker scope. Also have a Martini in 22 rimfire with peep sights. The 22 bee is a 25x20 Winchester necked down to 224.
ANOTHER GREAT VIDEO, INTERESTING AND INFORMATIVE!! COOL RIFLE came close to purchasing one of the BSA 22lr, just wasn't I believe the INTERNATIONAL but did have a very nice rear peep sight set-up!!! Unfortunately at that time, I did not quite have the money to get it but I DO NOW!! HOPE I HAVE ANOTHER CHANCE TO GET ONE!!!😊😊
I have a Schultz and Larson that was probably made near a hundred years ago, but, it shoots very very tight.
Like you say, a high quality BSA target rifle is a "jewel" to find. Where, I do not know, but still looking and searching. Thanks for the info.
And yet another cool toy from the collection! 😎
As for the BSA, there are left handed versions of the internationals MkII, III, and IV for sure, and they aren't super rare. They are are completely reverse receiver and stock, but most of the sights are right handed, since they came separate.
EDIT: I meant to say that the left handed versions are not super rare as compared to the right handers, not that there are more lefties than rights. I've been looking for a LH MkIII for some time now and out of 5 I've seen total, one was left. I have noticed that target rifle makers are much less averse to making left hand models.
Very interesting rifles, thanks for the upload.
Target shooting is very relaxing. Too bad is is not encouraged or taught anymore. Used to shoot in sea cadets and boy scouts in indoor ranges. Still enjoy the sport today and have several target rifles. Thanks for showing the BSA Martini. it is one of the few rifles left on my bucket list. Very much enjoy your channel.
When I shot 4p winter league many of the ranges we shot were in closed down hs and middle schools. The old days when marksmanship was noble and guns not frowned upon amn tought in public schools.
Ps-i have the same bsa as you review from 25 years ago during my league shooting. I was a poor shot but enjoyed the company
Not take down,that screw drops the action out.
All the best from NZ
Now I know! Thank you! All the best to you in NZ
The removeable cassette action is the famous "Francotte" patented modification.
Oh boy! I had a BSA MARTINI INTERNATIONAL like that several years ago. I regrettably traded it 😭 and wish I had it back. Mine had a Litschert scope on it similar to the scope as yours. Very very accurate rifle indeed. Thanks for a great video 👍
Hi Paul - They're something aren't they : ) I'm sure you'll find another if you like.
That scope is amazing! Hard to believe such precision would come from what looks like a couple kids cobbled it together from pipes in the garage.😀 but I’m sure when you’re holding it it’s easy to see it’s a precision instrument.
So going back a few videos, I just took possession a few minutes ago of an old Lakefield Mossberg 500. I had the barrel cut down to 19” and threaded for chokes. Man that thing runs slicker than snot! Big ole wooden corn cob forend, and stock. Just love it. Now I have to wait a week to try it. 😬
Hi Jim - I have to make a video on the Lakefield Mossberg 500 - a tank of a tough and slick shotgun. Have a great shoot!
@@UnitedStatesOfGuns Omg, is it ever a tank! Lol
Love your channel. Love to see wood on a gun not like all the new plastic Rambo junk guns out there on youtube no plate carriers just good old rifles. I have extreme envy your collection fantastic.
I have a BSA MK2 and by far it is the slickest and fastest lock time of any rifle I ever handled. Off bench and with bipod, I have fired several groups in the .30 inch range at 50 yards and that's with the Parker PH25 rear and globe front sight. I was using a variety of off the shelf ammo cheaper ammo like CCI standard velocity and more budget "target" ammo. I read somewhere the barrel blanks were sourced from the USA and the gun was guaranteed 1 inch or less at 100yds. I don't care where they sourced the parts. Just glad they produced this rifle. What a work of craftsmanship indeed. Could you imagine the cost of producing this gun today? I also have the BSA Century bolt action and it too shoots like a dream. TY for posting this review!
You've got two of the best - as you know - the MK2 is a diamond; I recently bought a Vickers Jubilee - can't wait to make a video. Take care and thanks for the note.
Great video Sir...
The scope could be a Unertl, which although German sounding in name, were actually made in the USA. When I started shooting benchrest competition in the 70s those scopes were quite common and where I learned CL/CD (clockwise left, clockwise down). The micrometer adjustments tended to not be marked and I watched more that one shooter trying to get one sighted in use up a bunch of ammo because they were turning the wrong way.
I have a Unertl Programmer scope on a heavy benchrest rifle and that scope had amazing optics back in the 70s. No compromises for length and weight it was about 30 inches long and weighed about 3 pounds.
The Internationals were made in absolutely mirror image left handed versions. I have two Mark IIs and just found a nice left handed mark III. There was not a mark I, but the model 12 and 12/15 you describe were manufactured before. The really hard things to find are the left handed rear aperture sights. Old scopes like that are Unertyls, Lischerts, and Lymans, among some lesser known brands. They are regularly for sale on e-bay. Some 7/8 inch scopes are more expensive than the rifles. Hi-Lux optics makes Malcoms that are more or less reproductions.
I had no idea - thanks for writing.
@@UnitedStatesOfGunsI just found a reference to a mark I, so they do exist but they are not very common and there are also mark IVs and mark Vs. The mark III has a free floated barrel, unlike the mark II. The mark IIs are accurate, but take a warm up shot or two. They are not too different from the mark IIIs, but the mark Vs have a thumb hole stock. Old West Scrounger in Martinsburg, WV has a lot of these for sale right now (4/2/24). Not sure about the others as the left handed variants are generally in very good condition like my new mark III. These come with aperture sights and never fitted for 7/8 inch scopes. The takedown knob just drops the trigger group for cleaning. I attended an old style military school and we had a basement range, locker room, cafeteria dining hall, and indoor assembly room. It all worked, but EPA lead regulation in 1968 appeared to be the impetus for building a new building with a better ventilated range.
I know you enjoy the Swiss straight pulls, I’d love to see you try out some diopter sights. For me it took the pleasure of shooting to a new level not to mention shooting under an inch 100 yards easily with irons is a rush! Would love to see you try them out!
Hi Emory - Good idea! I have a few of those and should make a video. My favorites are the Swiss 7.5x55 Martini action rifles - remarkable rifles although slower for sure. Thanks again.
@@UnitedStatesOfGuns absolutely my pleasure and would be thrilled to see a 7.5 martini! Such a gorgeous rifle!
Work of art that BSA, thanks for sharing. The scope & mount blows me away too. I thought I had a pretty cool scope mount on my vintage 30-06 FN Mauser, it's a Pachmayr swing away that allows me to use the iron sights if desired. Keeps it's zero very well too. They simply don't make kühl stuff like that any more.
Speaking of kühl, I'm looking forward to the Anschütz video. The newest & most costly rifle I own at the moment is a Model 1416 Anschütz 22. While it came with a nice enough walnut stock I decided to replace the original with an OEM Anschütz walnut thumbhole stock. Not sure why every rifle doesn't come with a thumbhole, seems so much more natural to hold & shoot. ;-)
PS.... did you know walnut shells have been used to clean compressor blades on jet engines in the past? They simply throw them into the engine while it's running.....
You need to remove the swinging block action to clean the bore. No hassle, no damage! I owned a Mk II or Mk III, probably the latter, but would have to find some old notes to work out which one. Still a few being shot here in NZ 🇳🇿, basically as fun guns. The earlier BSA Model 12 and 15 have slightly deeper rifling, probably to cope with black powder fouling and some of those rifles have been converted to .22 WMR for pest control work, obviously with sighting telescope, as well.
Thanks Michael!
The scope brings back a lot of memories. About 1960, my dad purchased a Winchester M52 which had a J.W. Fecker scope and mounts almost identical to this. I was only 12 at the time so I don't remember the power, but it was pretty high. This scope had a ring with a spring mounted in it right behind the front bell which was supposed to keep the scope from getting out of position when the gun was fired. This was necessary even with a .22 since the Fecker moved to and fro as easily as yours does, making me wonder if your scope might have had a similar spring at one time. You thought the gun might be able to hold inside a nickel at 50 yards (?) It can. My dad would make our own targets by drawing a circle around a nickel and painting it white. The 52 with the Fecker scope would stay well inside that nickel all day unless one of us pulled a shot. I'm not so sure how that would work out anymore, considering how the quality of .22 ammo has deteriorated, with even some of the high dollar stuff being less than reliable.
Anyway; beautiful gun and scope, and the first of that type I've seen. Thanks for always doing a great job!!
Great recollection! Thanks for writing. They're a special scope for sure - and with the M52 - incredible accuracy possible. Your dad bought well - he must have known guns and scopes. All the best.
Coming back on my previous reply: a FWB .22lr vintage is coming my way…
They made a fully left handed version. I used to own one.
I sometimes regret that I never bought a BSA Martini International. My fellow club members were shocked when I bought an Anshutz Mod 54 in 1962 instead of the BSA Mk 111. They all said the Anshutz would never beat the BSA. Incidentally there never was a BSA Martini International Mk 1. It was just the BSA Martini International. When they made a new one they had to call it Mk 11.
Thanks David! You bought a great rifle. The BSA is just so unique...especially now. Thanks also for the Mark II clarification. I had no idea : )
That bsa is nice.
walnut shells to blast walnut furniture, how fiting
i used to target shoot ... I have a ANSCHUTZ MATCH 54
How funny: in the vault are a Walther UIT of 1964 and it has the same bolt as your example of 20 years later. Great but not greatest in my vault. Well… made a 13 mm ctc grouping on 100 m with diopter!
Very great is a A-54 super match for prone shooting, large hook included. I put recently a scope on it and had to get adjustable mounts because there is a step between front and back 11 mm dovetail groove.
Best is my Martini MKII. Still with the original Parker Hale adjustable diopter. So heavy, so stable. Consistently < 1 MOA groups on 100 m . With SK standard +, SK Rifle Match, GECO rifle or RWS rifle match”S”.
I am already 5 years waiting until the owner of a French Unique T-2000 finally passes this treasure to me. Maybe I will add a FWB, Haenel or Hämmerli as well. Still regret that I didn’t bring home that Schulz& Larsen and Remington 5xx-T , each 150€ . Stupid me.
There should be a spring to reset the scope back forward
Actually some had springs and some did not and were completely optional when used on 22 rimfire.
I believe the Walther is a KKM, setup as a metallic silhouette rifle
Thank you - I'll have to look them up. I also have to get that paint off : )
@@UnitedStatesOfGuns I think they quit making them in the early 1990s, it should have very nice wood with stippling underneath
@@UnitedStatesOfGuns it might be a running target rifle as well, in which case it should have a balance weight that screws on the end and (originally) a wooden buttplate as per the UIT rules
Muy bueno tu vídeo saludos desde Argentina
Do you have one of the Walther Bolt rifle Sniper modrls JR they are called ?
I like your videos, I am just not a collector and can apricate where you are coming from. I just want to play with stuff and probably make guys like you pill your hair out. However, you torched on a few things here lately with your .22 videos in my wheel house. I have a Winchester 52B I bough in a pawn shop in 1987, it was just to odd to pass up. It is a custom target rifle from 1950 with no sights on it and needed to be reblued. It is a great shooter and I love to show it off and let others have the opportunity to shoot historic rifles. I put Redfield Olympic peep sights on it, but it is based for a target scope like the one on your Martini, I suspect the owner went both ways with it. I always wondered who did the gunsmithing on this rifle. 6 months ago I finally figured it out; it is one of Al Freeland's Winchester 52B's that came out of his Rock Island shop, and I have documented proof who it was made for. It began life as a barrel action sold through Al Freeland - who sent it over to Eric Johnson who put one of his barrels on it and sent it back to Al shop to be made into a prone rifle.
It was a real cool fine that I think I have done well with it for history.
That's fantastic Chuck - you know you have a super accurate and high value rifle there! Well done on tracking down the provenance. Thanks for the note!
Hi USOG That scope is sort of like a Unertl I have on one of my 22-250s except no spring around the tube, Does it work the same as one where you have to reset it after every shot? And if you have one like mine with the spring can you make a short video on the PROPER way to use one, Mine is from the sixties I think its beautiful but I have watch videos and people have told me a mixture of things but in short I have not been able to make the thing work yet, Its on its original barrel a Vintage Fhifer I hope im spelling that correct so any info on proper usage of Spring Unertls would be greatly helpful Thank you Joe. PS your 22s are nice all of them!
👍🏻👍🏻
What rifle is in your intro???? Looks awesome
Hi Dayton - That's a Remington Model 8 in .35 Remington. It is just as you described : )
@@UnitedStatesOfGuns Awesome! Do you recommended someone adding it to their collection as well? I love different / weird firearms
Looks like a fecker scope?
It's a Parker Hale Target Scope 8x - quite clear and sharp
Thanks for the info! I haven’t gotten into foreign vintage scopes too much yet. I have a decent collection of vintage us production scopes and the fecker is the only domestic scope with the paralax in the center that I know of
Unique means nothing else like it. There is no such thing as very unique. Just a pet peeve of mine.
Airgun sir how much
Is that a Unertl scope atop the BSA?
Hi Craig - It's a Parker Hale Target scope - 8X - quite clear and sharp
The parallax adjustment looks the same an 8X Fecker scope in my collection. I suspect that Fecker made this scope for P-H. The Mk II was superseded by the Mk3 International about 1950. For many years it was the only Olympic-quality target rifle available in a mirror-image true left-hand version, which my lefty wife still proudly has. The knob on the right side merely allows the trigger and breech block assembly to be removed for easy cleaning. That also allows a cleaning rod to pass through the barrel from the breech, protecting the crown. Wonderful rifle you have there, sir. Thanks for sharing it.
@@UnitedStatesOfGuns why didn't you say that in the video?
BSA guns are not all that rare in Canada.
Add po sir pls
Hi Mike, long time-no "talk". I’ve been on your Patreon team for a couple of years but have missed out on tons. Haven’t even been able to go up to the VFGPA Range for a long time as I’ve been in the hospital. I would like to have a more private conversation with you about a rifle that would be well-suited for me. We’ve talked about it before & I’d like to "reprise" that chat…about an easily cycled target rifle. I love my Tikka with the “Extended Bolt Handle", and it’s capable of using every foot/inch of the ~250 yards available to use at the Range here on Southern Vancouver Island. Membership prices jumped from $200 to $300 in one year because of some property that was being sold. So now that the Range owns significantly more land, hopefully a long-distance rifle range will be created. Campbell River has a Range that’s ~750 yards, but that’s a long drive from Victoria! I digress. Hope you and yours are doing well, and thanks very much for sharing another great video. I really should take advantage of my Patreon membership! Whatever. Be well! (Brent, aka: "The Sunrise Kid”👨🏼🦼from "WestCoaster’s" UA-cam videos/"channel"). Hey! Have a great day.
Hello! Wonderful to hear from you! I'm glad you're better - out of hospital. Please send me an email at usogbyemail@gmail.com and I'll get back to you; looking forward to speaking with you on a call. Take care and all the best!
Sir add me pls sir