The accompaning photo's show a neat idea for scope mounting a Martini which uses an old set of Tasco rings and gives excellent clearance for loading/unloading

Interesting concept . I tend towards Weaver type bases , but for bigger optics barrel clearance can be a hassle , and getting cartridges in or out of the chamber can be a pain as well . What is the base block made of , and would it be better to machine it out of a single piece or is two better ? Nice looking gun by the way .

I machines the base in two halves both of bright mild steel.

There are three allen head screws bolding the base to the barrel and four holding the ring base to the lower one. The idea is that I can have several bases screwed to rifles and then swap the upper section as necessary.

Don't use bright mild steel, it turns a pinky colour in the bluing solution as the photo's show!

Nice iron. What calibre are you running in that?

BTW, the mild steel is full of free cutting agents like lead and sulphur to help with the machining process, this is what stuffs the bluing up.
It's called 'foxing' when you get that red or pink colour.

Cheers