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Griffin & Howe # 535 Martini # 6 Takedown in 22 long rifle
Guns International #: 103528150 Seller's Inventory #:
Category: Rifles - American Bolt Action - Griffin & Howe Rifles
Seller's Information
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Seller: James Birch
Member Since: 6/17/18
First Name: James
Last Name: Birch
State: Ohio
Zip: 44004
Country: United States
Phone: (440) 997-0428
Number of Active Listings: 8
Total Number of Listings: 80
Seller: Private Seller
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: US Postal Mondey Order, Certified Bank Check
Description:
UPDATE: 5/26/2026. I had an email inquiry and a phone call about the gun this morning. As soon as I get the gun back after the new forearm is fitted I will post new pictures of the gun as well as a price for the gun including the work thus far completed. Thank you for your understanding.
Incidentially, I do have some pictures of the G&H forearm style which will be used. I also pictures of another Martini I had completed and it is very similar to what this gun would look like if completed. Simply email me if you want to see these pictures.
The Rifle is currently at the stockmaker's and having the new forearm completed. The pattern will be the typical G&H pattern of a staight forearm with a slight half circle at the rear end of the forearm. This is the exact pattern forearm of three G&H Martini's known, G&H # 511, G&H # 831, and G&H # 2851. The front of the forearm will contain a buffalo horn tip. Once this is completed, the new price will be determined. But, I don't expect to have the gun back until at least the end of June or the beginning of July. The stockmaker is going to be gone for a week to teach a Master's Class in Checkering in Los Vegas, NV.
For sale is a Griffin & Howe barreled ( Barrel # 535) Martini # 6 Takedown Actioned gun with the rebated frame.
Note that this is partially complleted. However, all the parts necessary to complete the gun are included and pictured.
I have used the best gunsmiths in the country. If you want me to point you in the direction of individuals who could the metal and wood working for the gun, just let me know.
The barrel number (535) indicates that that gun was built in 1926. I have been researching G&H rifles for about the past 21 years. I also have all of Michael Petrov's information on G&H guns. I am currently attempting to assemble complete database of all G&H guns ever made . . . it will never be complete, but every number and gun identified helps to tell the whole story . . . .
In an early circular from late 1923, G&H advertises that they will remodel 22 rifles as well, noting the 1922 Springfield and the Model 52 Winchester as as candidates for such a build. And, during this time G&H also advertised the BSA action (which this is) as available for building a .22.
Additionally, G&H in their early advertisements in The American Rifleman (Jan. 1, 1925/Dec. 15, 1925 advertised and pictured Martini Actioned .22 rifles. By 1927 they were promoting the 1922 Springfield and Winchester Model 52 actions as well. By 1927, the Springfield and Winchester actions were the most chosen actions for a customer who wanted a custom built .22.
Normally, the 24" barrel was utilized in many of G&H's .22 guns. During the latter part of the 1920's, G&H did provide "Short Barreled" guns in all calibers, if desired. Barrel # 535 is 21 1/2", factory length by G&H. The ghosting of the original sight (removed) can be clearly seen.
Therefore, with the serial number being what it is, and the advertisements from that time, I am 99% certain it was originally on a Martini action. What happened to the original one? Maybe someone wanted to rebarrel it to a sligher bigger caliber. A person could simply change the extractor, convert it to centerfire, and then simply rechamber the barrel to a new caliber.
So, my intention was to "Restore" the gun as best I could using original parts. That is what I have done with the gun.
I obtained a Martini # 6 with the rebated frame in the Takedown version. These guns were factory drilled and tapped on the back of the tang for an Optional BSA # 8 sight. I used the man I consider to be the best Martini gunsmith in the country take the gun and barrel to complete.
The action was trued up, refaced, and the barrel was then fitted to the action. The takedown screw with the pin was hand-fitted as well. I had him cut a dovetail, and install a new barrel lug on the bottom side of the barrel. I also had him slight level the top of the barrel to flow in line with the top of the action. Keep in mind that Martini made many models (and to some drgree) sizes of their actions. The Model 6 Martini was the smallest, a lightweight, sporting gun. I fgured that it would be the best size (proportionately) for the gun build. I think it looks great with the barrel attached. But, just a little barrel showed over the top of the action, so, again, I had the gunsmith just level it off to the top of the action. Many, many Martini's you will see have this done to the top of the barrel.
Griffin & Howe would often times fit a pistol grip stock to the Martini-actioned guns, and then, extend the lever down in front of the pistol grip and attach a ball at the end of the lever. I actually like the Westley Richards sporterized Martini's with the slim-strainght gripped stocks and the small forearms with the horn tip on the forearm. This is what I envisioned this gun to look like.
Griffin & Howe .22's are much, much scarcer than other calibers. It had to be a special (well-off) individual who ordered one. Considering that Winchester and other Manufacturers made excellent .22's it is no coincidence that a G&H .22 was an uncommon rifle.
Some Examples: In March of last year, Guyette & Deeter sold a Model 52 Winchester that was a numbered G&H gun. It was in terrible shape. needed everthing for the restoration, and even had holes drilled in the barrel for scope blocks. Evidently, it had at one time been fitted with a scope. The gun I have listed here is in far better condition. It sold for 11K. Kramer sales sold a 1922 Springfield last year that was a decent gun for just less than 8K. While I like the Springfields, they are a heavy gun. And (personally) I don't care for a heavy .22.
The only other G&H Martini .22's I have seen in the last several years were sold by Steve Barnett Fine Guns and Rock Island. Both guns were long barreled, and engraved by Fugger. They were wonderful . . . and so were the prices. Well over 20K each.
Regarding the pictures and parts:
That rough sight blank I got from G&H themselves to fit to the gun. I sent the barrel into them, and they sent that one back with the barrel. It will need to finshised, with a dovetail cut on the top to fit the sight, and then 2 thin lines cut on the side to fit the sight hood. Now that the rear sight has been fitted to the gun, a good gunsmith can easily figure out the correct height needed.
By the way, G&H didn't like to put cuts in the barrels to mount a sight (note Petrov says this as well). Therefore, I chose the factory drilled and tapped action for the build. I wasn't going to touch the barrel to have a sight put on it.
I was planning on using the orignal butt stock wood. Single shot rifles of this era frequently had a "Grip Pad" fit to them. G&H often did this. Fay Mershon made them, and then, when Pachmayr bought him out, they continued to produce them for only a short while afterward. These are not really for recoil, but rather for a good grip at the shoulder when you are holding the gun steady for a shot. You especially want this if you are using a tang type sight. And, there is no recoil with a .22! Luckliy, I was able to get a NOS Pachmayr grip pad to use. It is included with the gun.
The barrel did not have the typical "Barrel Band" sling for this gun. Instead, they had a simpler swivel that simply attached to the bottom of the barrel. In the 1925-26-27 ads, this type of swivel is shown on the 1922 Springfield guns. I do have a barrel sling (pictured) that you might want to fit and use with the gun.
The bore is average. There are a couple dark spots (see the picture). I think they are fouling. I don't have any Tetra-Bore Cleaner here, but have used it before on barrels that were a lot worse than this one. And they cleaned up beaufitully. It is shootable, in my opinion. And, I feel that is fine because this is not the kind of gun you will be using for precision target work. It's a 50 yard shooter.
Shipping and Insurance are extra.
If you have any questions, simply call or email me.
Thank you.
Price: POR
Curio/Relic: Yes
Rifle Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Barrel Length: 21 1/2