Ralf Martini is among my favorite gun makers. He’s one of the best in the business, and with such a resume, no wonder.
Born in West Germany, Mr. Martini is a former military sniper turned machinist turned custom gun maker. Producing guns out of Canada, he is registered as a Professional Member of the American Custom Gunmakers Guild and has partnered with Master Gunmaker Martin Hagn — inventor of the Hagn Single Shot, one of the finest falling block single shot rifles ever made.
A beautiful FN 98 Mauser action.
Martini excels as both a metalsmith and a stockmaker — two talents shared by one person less and less these days. His style of gunmaking uses the same classic lines as the original London “Best” magazine rifles from before the wars. While many gunmakers attempt this, few achieve it with such success.
I have just come across one of these classically styled rifles built by Martini Gunmakers’ chambered in the old war horse .375 H&H Mag; this is a classic package in all respects. The satiny black of the traditional rust blue finish, the flawless function of the classic Mauser action, the luster of the stock, and the well-executed checkering are all hallmarks of Martini’s work.
However, the profile of this rifle is what grabs your attention right away. “Racy” is the right term to describe it’s looks. When you bring a gun built by Ralf to your shoulder you really appreciate the sleek feel of the forend and shape of the cheekpiece and butt stock. When you glance down the sights you notice the front bead is neatly nestled in the “V” of the rear Express sight. This is due to a stock perfectly shaped for its intended purpose.
Mr. Martini is a gunmaker who is clearly familiar with what makes a rifle “shootable.” Nothing too fancy, just a rifle that incorporates simple elegance in a package as likely made in 1911 as it was in 2011.
This particular gun is built on a case-hardened FN 98 Mauser action using Blackburn bottom metal. It has a 24-inch Heym barrel with a stepped quarter rib and a standing Express sight lined in gold and marked “50 yds.” A single folding leaf is also lined in gold and marked “100 yds.”
This gun’s barrel is also marked“Martini Gunmakers Canada,” along with the caliber designation “.375 H&H.” Both are marked in gold, as well.
Beautiful 24 LPI hand checkering.
The banded ramp front sight and barrel band front swivel are made by Martini in his shop. The stock is upgraded Turkish walnut with a 14¾-inch LOP over a black rubber pad, single steel cross bolt, a right-hand European-style cheekpiece with shadowline, a classic London style point checkering pattern cut at 24 LPI, and a very understated border engraving with the “MG” logo on the floor plate done by Warren Smith.
This gun is stunning in every way; beautiful to look at and a pleasure to handle and shoot. For those of us drawn to the pre-war guns of London and Europe, this is a modern re-issue.
I might also add what an exceptional value these Martini made rifles are. Now, I’m not trying to say they’re inexpensive starting at $16,900.00. However, they are truly handmade bespoke rifles for the same price as the production-made rifles recently offered from the London trade in the same price range. Mr. Martini’s rifles are but a fraction of the cost of what London thinks is its “Best,” and he certainly seems to have a better idea of what a “Best” gun is.
No doubt one of the great gunmakers of our times, Mr. Martini’s guns reflects what triggers the “want” in all of us as gun collectors.
Duke McCaa and his son Duke “L.D.” McCaa II have owned and operated Gulf Breeze Firearms since 1986 in the panhandle of Florida. They are purveyors of fine sporting and investment grade firearms.
In Great Hunting Rifles, firearms expert Terry Wieland leads the reader on a journey through the history of some of the most exquisite rifles made in the twentieth century.
The rifles featured in the book, all personally owned by the author and described in loving detail, were chosen for their particular importance. Each rifle either represents a particular era of gun making, is historically important, or is simply a paragon of gun making skill. In his treatment of these special rifles, Wieland provides a close look at some individual guns that are superb in a unique way, and which illustrate high points of the twentieth century. Buy Now
