Thread: Oldest active hunting rifle

Greetings All,

This is my Martini chambered in .30-40 Krag. It falls a little outside longshot's criteria of "still out there actively knocking over critters" but this is due to deficiencies in the owner rather than the rifle. The action was made in 1881 and is now on its third barrel and fourth cartridge. The woodwork seems original although the fore end has been cut back. Has the rifle been knocking over critters in the 40 years I have had it? Regrettably no. Has it snuck along in the Kaweka's? ready for action? Yes. Does it shoot well enough to do the job? Definitely. Is the cartridge up to smack over a deer? Hell yes. Has it had an active hunting past? Probably. There are some notches in the fore end band that may indicate past success. Will it be taken hunting again in the future? Definitely.
Regards Grandpamac.