Custom Martini Rifle has me stumped

[Marcusdg]

Hi there, this is my first post. Really appreciate being able to come pick your brains.
I recently picked up a new rifle and it has me stumped. Ive done a fair amount of research but can't quite figure it out. It is a Peabody and Martini action made by the providence tool company. I'm quite sure it was customized at a later date. The barrel is stamped W. F. Gabbert 7.62/51R 4.5. 1895
The receiver is also stamped 4.5. 1895. So I thought it was a 7.62x51. I'm confused because of the R behind the 7.62x51. The chamber also looks to me like its for a rimmed cartridge but I can't be sure. I can't find anything online about a rimmed 7.62x51, except some say thats the same thing as a 30 30 win. Wrllbthis is definitely not a 30 30. A 30 30 shell is fairly loose in the chamber and the extractor doesn't catch it. Any help would be much appreciated. I'll try to upload some pics.

 

[Marcusdg]

I'm sorry those images are very blurry. They were clear on my phone, not sure what happened.

 

[crgchck]

There was a European cartridge of 7.62x51r that was dimensionally similar to the 30-30, which is likely what it was originally.. not sure what the 4.5 is referring to but if a 30-30 cartridge is loose in the chamber, it may have been reemed to a 7.62x54r and just not restamped.. is the 30-30 floppy inside or just loose fit.
it’s definitely a rimmed cartridge

 

[elkguide]

M1872 Peabody-Martini | MilitaryRifles.com

www.militaryrifles.com

 

[Marcusdg]

There was a European cartridge of 7.62x51r that was dimensionally similar to the 30-30, which is likely what it was originally.. not sure what the 4.5 is referring to but if a 30-30 cartridge is loose in the chamber, it may have been reemed to a 7.62x54r and just not restamped.. is the 30-30 floppy inside or just loose fit.
it’s definitely a rimmed cartridge

30-30 is floppy inside. I put a .243 shell in just to see, since a 243 is simply a necked down .308 and a 7.62x51 is quite similar to a .308. The .243 shell felt right until about a half inch was sticking out. It started to get tight and I didn't want to force it and get it stuck.

 

[Bountyhunter]

Go to a gunsmith and have him do a chamber cast with cerrosafe. You can get dimensions from that. Beware if i remember right you only have 30 minutes as it cools dimensions change.

 

[crgchck]

30-30 is floppy inside. I put a .243 shell in just to see, since a 243 is simply a necked down .308 and a 7.62x51 is quite similar to a .308. The .243 shell felt right until about a half inch was sticking out. It started to get tight and I didn't want to force it and get it stuck.

It really sounds like it is 7.62x54r.. though a .308 body is also tapered from the bast to the start of the bottle neck, the 54r is more predominant.. it’s slightly smaller in diameter in the front and larger at the base. with the .308 brass tightening up 1/2” or so from chambering it makes sense as it’s getting to that smaller area..
Casting the chamber and checking the dimensions would be ideal but if you do not have the ability to do so or a nearby smith, I can see the headache. If casting is not an option, maybe go by local shop that has 54r ammo and see how it chambers

 

[WKB]

So yes, the Metric nomenclature of .30WCF or 30-30 is in fact 7.62x51R. This was a popular single shot chambering on the Continent along with 5.6x52R (22 Savage Hi Power) and 6.5 x52R (25-35 WCF) for small game such as chamois and roe deer. However it sounds like this rifle's chamber has been reamed to accept a larger cartridge such as 30-40 Krag, or perhaps a Wildcat. The reason I have serious issues with the 7.62x 54R line of thought is because the 54R often shoots a .310-.313 bullet. If this has a .308 bore, I have my doubts that this would be rechambered to the 54R. However, all of this is supposition. get it checked by a gunsmith and get the chamber cast.

 

[Marcusdg]

Thanks. This is very informative. Any idea what this gun may be worth?

 

[Marcusdg]

Just an update here. So I took the gun to a gunsmith and had a chamber cast done. The gun is in fact a 307 Winchester. 2 different gunsmiths looked at the gun and felt like the gun is just fine to be fired with factory ammo. I'm still thinking that handloading some light loads may be a good idea. Any thought would be appreciated.

 

[Mlkman55]

Just an update here. So I took the gun to a gunsmith and had a chamber cast done. The gun is in fact a 307 Winchester. 2 different gunsmiths looked at the gun and felt like the gun is just fine to be fired with factory ammo. I'm still thinking that handloading some light loads may be a good idea. Any thought would be appreciated.