Welcome everyone to the 217th edition of ‘Hot Gat or Fudd Crap?’, one of our many series here on TFB. If you’re new to the series, this is where we look at the most obscure firearms that are actually for sale and ask the question – is this Gat a sweet deal or only have Fudd appeal?  Each week the TFB staff weighs in with their thoughts, but readers get the final say in the poll at the bottom of each article.

In our last edition, our poll showed that you, the readers, decided the custom Springfield M1 Garand was just fudd crap.  

HGFC – Alternate History or That’s Enough For Me? — Poll Results

At this time the original auction has ended without the rifle selling. However, it has been relisted, and to that end, we hope this modern M1 will find its way to a new home in the very near future.     

In this week’s edition of HGFC, we look at a BSA Martini Cadet chambered in 218 Mashburn Bee. As is tradition, this strangely chambered retro gat is currently up for sale on GunBroker for $1,999 Starting Bid with No Reserve.  

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP?

Baby Martini or Obscure and Teeny?

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Baby Martini or Obscure and Teeny?

Let’s see what the Staff had to say about this week’s offering:

“The perfect rifle for a fudd who wants to recreate the battle of Rorke’s drift with prairie dogs” – Rusty S.

“The very first fudds probably frowned at that optic and called it a ‘too cool tactic.'” – Doug E.

A classic, interesting chambering – Matt M.

Selling this long-scoped gat is GunBroker seller Brown Dog Gunsmithing, located in Athol, ID.  Let’s see what they had to say about this strangely chambered BSA.  

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Baby Martini or Obscure and Teeny?

Up for bid is this BSA Martini Cadet chambered in 218 Mashburn Bee & 16X Unertl Target Scope. 

This Birmingham Small Arms Co. Martini Cadet is stamped Commonwealth of Australia VIC on the side of the action.  The butt stock is stamped Commonwealth of Australia Mily Forces Victoria.  Serial number stampings of 14886 match on the butt stock and action.  The rifle is custom barreled with a Shilen barrel and chambered in 218 Mashburn Bee.  The barrel is 28 inches long and a heavy contour.  The custom forend is a heavy target style and matches the Shilen barrel contour.  It is equipped with a sling stud.

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Baby Martini or Obscure and Teeny?

All in all, this gun is in excellent condition.  It is used and shows field wear.  Please see the pictures as I have tried to give the best depiction of the guns condition with the pictures.  The butt stock shows some minor scratches and dings from field use.  Despite the wear there are no structural flaws such as cracks.  The stock is equipped with a rear sling swivel and front stud.   The stock sports a steel butt plate.  Length of pull is 13 ¾ inches.  As would be expected the original butt stock shows more wear than the custom forend.  The forend is in excellent condition.

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Baby Martini or Obscure and Teeny?

The gun is equipped with a 28-inch barrel.  The bluing is in excellent condition.  There are some minor scratches here and there from field use.  There is one spot on the top of the barrel where the bluing is gone.  Please see the pictures.  The bluing on the action is also excellent with some minor scratches.  Overall, the bluing on the action and barrel is excellent.  The bore is excellent. 

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Baby Martini or Obscure and Teeny?

The rifle comes with a 16X Unertl Target scope.  The reticle is a Lee Dot.  The cross hair is very fine with a small dot at its center.  There are 3 scope bases on the rifle barrel for the Unertl scope.  The scope is in very good condition.

Please view all the pictures before bidding.  I have tried to give the best depiction of the gun’s condition with the pictures.  There are many close ups with special attention given to areas showing any imperfections.

Shipping:

The gun will be shipped Fed Ex Ground and will be insured for the purchase price.  The buyer will pay a flat $125.00 for shipping and insurance.

Sales Tax:

Idaho state sales tax will be collected if the buyer is an Idaho resident.   Sales tax will be collected by Gunbroker based on the ship to address.

FFL:

The gun must be shipped to an FFL holder. Please have your preferred FFL email a copy of their FFL to hunter@browndoggunsmithing.com thank you. 

Payment:

Payment must be made with a credit card using the Gunbroker Checkout System. This is the only payment method accepted. Thank you.

Restocking Fee:

A 15% Restocking Fee along with the Gunbroker Listing Fee, Final Value Fee, and Sales Tax collected will be charged to the customer, if the customer backs out on an auction that is won and paid for.  I am willing to work with anyone to cancel an auction that has been won and paid for, but only before the item is shipped, and only if the customer agrees to pay the above-listed fees.  A refund will be issued for the full amount paid at checkout minus the above listed fees as long as the item has not been shipped.  There are no refunds once the item has been shipped.

Inspection and Returns:

All sales are final!  Returns will not be accepted.  Thank you.

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Baby Martini or Obscure and Teeny?

If you’re not familiar with 218 Mashburn Bee, don’t worry, you’re not the only one. 218 Bee was developed by Winchester in 1937 primarily as a varmint cartridge. Then of course someone decided it could be better, and the 218 Mashburn Bee was born.  Either way, I wouldn’t plan on finding it at any local sporting goods store.

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Baby Martini or Obscure and Teeny?

I’ve always been a fan of a classic Martini-Henry rifle. It’s just a timeless classic design paired with a simple falling block action. This rifle has some interesting history behind it.  While I’m not sure what this gun is worth, I do think this would be a very interesting addition to the right collection.

What do you think? Is this BSA Martini Cadet worth it for a shade under $2k or would you rather find a rifle in a chambering that’s not so obscure. As always I leave it up to you, the readers, to decide.

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Baby Martini or Obscure and Teeny?

What do you think?  Is this BSA Martini Cadet a Hot Gat or strangely chambered Fudd Crap?  Be sure to let us know in the comments below, and cast your vote to let us know if this BSA Martini Cadet chambered in 218 Mashburn Bee is a Hot Gat or Fudd Crap: