ASSRA Forum - Swinburn's Patent for Martini Rifles

Remington40x Junior Forum Member Offline Posts: 48	Swinburn's Patent for Martini Rifles 07/10/10 at 19:52:21 Can anyone explain to me what Swinburn's patent was in relation to Martini rifles? The results I got on Google weren't helpful at all. Thanks.
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whitey hanson Senior Forum Member Offline Posts: 379	Re: Swinburn's Patent for Martini Rifles Reply #1 - 07/10/10 at 21:15:01 Contact Gert or DD (Doug) I am sure they can help you. Whitey
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DoubleD

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Re: Swinburn's Patent for Martini Rifles
Reply #2 - 07/11/10 at 10:18:59

Take a look at Gert's website for details. http://users.telenet.be/Gert.Claes1/index.html

My sole experience with the Swinburn is to shoot one for 2 years in South Africa. I was allowed to shoot it, but not take it apart.

I had limited resources; one mould, and what ever type blackpowder the powder company choose to give me and could never get the gun to shoot accurately.

This poor accuracy goes with a story that is some times seen; that the company making the Swinburns were using reject MH barrels. Based on that one gun and barrel, it would be easy for me to believe.

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Douglas, Ret.

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Remington40x Junior Forum Member Offline Posts: 48	Re: Swinburn's Patent for Martini Rifles Reply #3 - 07/11/10 at 17:52:36 Thank you. That's a great site. I'd not seen it previously. The rifle I'm inquiring about is lined to .22 rimfire, so the original barrel isn't likely to be an issue. Should be here in a week or 10 days. If I can get my daughter to help, I'll post some photos once it arrives. Rem
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MartiniBelgian

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Re: Swinburn's Patent for Martini Rifles
Reply #4 - 07/12/10 at 14:03:21

The only martini thing about the Swinburn other than the rear-pivoting block is the exterior similarity - it actually is pretty different in that it has tangs, a hammer and V-springs. And also an abomination of A 3-lever extractor too... It was Natal military issue, if for no other reason that they couldn't get Martini's at the time. Stock configuration is better than a Martini though - but that's about the only advantage it has - that and the cocking lever on the side.

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Remington40x

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Re: Swinburn's Patent for Martini Rifles
Reply #5 - 07/25/10 at 14:41:33

Picked the Swinburn Martini up on Friday. Metalwork is in pretty good shape, save for a few screw heads that have been mutilated by the usual ham-handed screwdriver wielder sometime in the last 125 years, forend has a couple of extra holes in addition to the usual British style sling swivels for position shooting. Engraving is still crisp and clean - better than the photos showed, actually. Front sight is a Redfield, not a Parker Hale, which was something of a surprise. No additional front sight inserts in the holder on the rear of the forend.

The action can only be opened if the rifle is cocked. Is this the way they all work or is there something not quite correct inside that I should have looked at? The cocking lever is slightly loose when the rifle is uncocked. Is this normal?

Thanks.

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Richardwv

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Savoring life one cartridge
at a time........
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Ganotown, West Virginia, West Virginia, USA

Re: Swinburn's Patent for Martini Rifles
Reply #6 - 07/25/10 at 21:15:38

To answer your questions. The lever opening the action should also cock it. If it has to be cocked by the cocking/decocking lever on the side of the action first, there is something wrong internal. Same for the cocking/decocking lever. It should be under tension in either position. I've got two of the pattern and both showed the work of ham fisted "gunsmiths" before I bought them. Some folks just can't resist taking apart their rifles to "improve them" even though they don't have a clue how to put them back together. Based on your description I suspect that the parts aren't aligned correctly inside, since the sear being too far forward would block the action from opening. Cocking it would move the sear rearward allowing the block to operate. Of course broken parts are another possibility, but I still think incorrect assembly is more likely.

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Richardwv, A recluse in training along Back Creek in the hills of West Virginia.

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MartiniBelgian Oldtimer Offline Posts: 707	Re: Swinburn's Patent for Martini Rifles Reply #7 - 07/26/10 at 12:58:05 There should be a crosspin through the lever 'ears' pushing back the hammer to the cocked position - I can imagine that if the pin isn't there, the hammer wouldn't be pushed back and so prevents opening the action when uncocked. Could be something else too, but that is the 1st thing I am thinking of...
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Remington40x

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Re: Swinburn's Patent for Martini Rifles
Reply #8 - 07/27/10 at 10:30:17

Richard and MB:

Thanks.

I guess it's going to get another UPS ride, as there's no one locally I'd trust to fool with it. I could probably return it to the seller, but it's very nicely engraved, has a fairly well figured butt stock and hangs beautifully when pointed at a target while standing on my hind legs. Besides, I got it for a small fraction of what I've seen others (admittedly still in original center fire configuration) sell for at auction, so there's some room to have some work done without falling too far into a hole.

Rem

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MartiniBelgian Oldtimer Offline Posts: 707	Re: Swinburn's Patent for Martini Rifles Reply #9 - 07/27/10 at 15:59:51 They're not so hard to take down and reassemble, and mechanically, it is pretty easy to figure out how they work - I would at least disassemble it in order to get an idea on whatever is wrong. Well, at the very least pop the block s you can take a peek at the innards...
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Remington40x Junior Forum Member Offline Posts: 48	Re: Swinburn's Patent for Martini Rifles Reply #10 - 07/27/10 at 19:42:14 MB: Do you have disassembly instructions?? I'm not completely ham-handed, but there are a number of screws and at least one fairly battered pin and I'm loathe to do any more damage through ignorance. Rem
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MartiniBelgian

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Re: Swinburn's Patent for Martini Rifles
Reply #11 - 07/28/10 at 05:46:49

Well,
In that case just pop the block Martini fashion - that will allow you a look inside at least: The block usually is retained by a split pin - just drive it out.
To pop out the block, all the is required is to partially open the action (you'll have to cock it, of course), and push down firmly with your thumb while moving the lever a bit both ways (up and down) - the rear of the block should pop right out, without undue operator force. Getting it back in the 1st time could be a bit more tricky though, depending on the wear and tear of your action.

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MartiniBelgian Oldtimer Offline Posts: 707	Re: Swinburn's Patent for Martini Rifles Reply #12 - 07/31/10 at 07:05:46 Rem, How 'bout some pics of your purchase? I would be interested, as a Swinburn owner...
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trapdoor Dick

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Re: Swinburn's Patent for Martini Rifles
Reply #13 - 08/06/10 at 18:48:51

Hi group. I have been trying to find out a little more about the Meyers-Coune Belgian single shot. Being as it "kinda sorta" looks like a Martini the first thing I did was to try and email Gert Claes. The email was returned. Anybody have any further contact info on him? I don't think I posted anything here on it yet. Undecided

Here's a picture diassembled. Anybody got any ideas?

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HPIM3902.JPG (148 KB | 7 )

Democracy is two wolves and a lamb deciding what to have for dinner. Liberty is a well armed lamb. - Benjamin Franklin

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harry_eales

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Re: Swinburn's Patent for Martini Rifles
Reply #14 - 08/07/10 at 02:41:50

trapdoor Dick wrote on 08/06/10 at 18:48:51:

Hi group. I have been trying to find out a little more about the Meyers-Coune Belgian single shot. Being as it "kinda sorta" looks like a Martini the first thing I did was to try and email Gert Claes. The email was returned. Anybody have any further contact info on him? I don't think I posted anything here on it yet. Undecided

Here's a picture diassembled. Anybody got any ideas?

Hello Dick,

You can PM Gert simply by clicking on his 'nick name' (martinibelgian) in the left hand column beside any of his posts. You'll find one of them immediately above your enquiry in this thread.

Gert is a gentleman of the first water and has always been very helpful to me. Bear in mind that, if you don't get a reply immediately it is the summer holiday season over on this side of the pond.

Harry

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