1888 Commission Rifle Sporter

Here we have a sporterization of an old German infantry rifle. The military barrel and stock have been replaced, the bolt turned down and double set triggers added. This particular example is chambered in 8 x 60. At the end of WWI, the Treaty of Versailles stipulated civilians could not own rifles in military calibers. Presumably, this provision was intended to keep the German government from hiding military rifles in the hands of civilians. By reaming the chamber 3mm deeper, a former military rifle chambered in 8 x 57 became a civilian rifle in 8 x 60. The barel, intended for a .318" diameter bullet, suggests this gun was built prior to adoption of the deffinitive 8mm Mauser .323" bullet we all know today. Brass is formed from 30-06 cases - a simple operation, but in practice this particular gun wants a very specific case OAL. A few thou too long and the bolt won't close, and a few thou too short and the extractor won't grab the case rim.

Mannlicher Schoenauer 1903 Carbine

From Greek military rifle, to world famous hunting rifle, the reputation of the Mannlicher name starts here. Chambered in 6.5 x 53 Mannlicher, this light and handy rifle had enough punch for all but the toughest African game. The cut down stock made this an affordable gun for me. Also, I imagine the lack of double set triggers hurts its value. I shoot a lot of military two stage triggers, so this one doesn't bother me. In operation, the Mannlicher rotary magazine is smooth as glass, just don't hit the cartridge eject button by mistake.

Remington Model 4

This gun needs something in the picture to give a sense of its diminutive size. As a seemingly scale version of the big black powder rolling blocks, it was impossibly cute and quite impossible to pass up. Remington made piles of rolling blocks, but today examples in excellent condition are not that common. Its really a kid's gun, but I wouldn't let one of the snot nose rug rats near it today.

Remington Model 8

This unusual auto loading rifle was yet another example of John Browning's design genius at work. An autoloader based on the long recoil principle, the Model 8 and its later development Model 81 outlasted several other less successful early 20th century auto loading designs. As hunting rifles, the .25, .30, and .32 caliber versions were best limited to deer size game. For police organizations it was an ideal instrument with which to fight crime and guard prisons. I believe either a Model 8, or 81 was included among the weapons used to end the criminal careers of Bonnie and Clyde. Chambered in .32 Remington, a long forgotten cartridge, this early example is still in pretty good cosmetic shape, although the bore is a little frosty. I neck up .30 Remington brass and use 170 gr. flat nose bullets, which they still make for the .32 Winchester. Considering its 30-30 class power and semi auto operation, the gun has a significant kick.

Remington Model 12

One day I decided it was about time to buy an old Winchester gallery gun. Of course it had to have an octagonal barrel. After reviewing prices at the next gun show, my commitment to the Winchester brand faded. When I spotted this Remington it was love at first sight. As has happened before I've come to the conclusion its a little too pristine to shoot, so I still don't have a gallery gun shooter. Maybe next time.

Bartells Double Rifle

This is a well used old grocery getter chambered in 9 x 57r and equipped with an unusual set of Kersten locks. There are some Merkel rifles around today with this type of lock, but it seems to be used more on over/unders and is uncommon on side by side doubles. The locking lugs on the barrels get in the way of reloads, so hit what you're aiming at the first time. The trigger guard, grip cap and butt plate are all carved from (Cape Buffalo?) horn. The gun is in very good condition, but the right barrel has seen significantly more rounds than the left. The original owner must have been a good shot. My chronograph shows a fairly consistent 50 foot per second higher velocity on the tighter left barrel.

Mauser ES350

Between the wars, Mauser produced a series of military training and sporting rifles in .22LR. The intricately detailed bolt looks like a scale model of the model 96 bolt. This example is a nice sporting/target rifle, with a beautiful high polish blue finish and checkered stock. The micrometer sight is a gunsmith addition. In spite of having some rust pitting near the muzzle, the gun is good for 2" 100 yard groups from a sand bag. The receiver bears a mauser banner, and there is a deeply struck Mauser cartouche on the stock.

Winchester 94 Carbine

As soon as I started buying guns, I had to have a Winchester. To an American kid, nothing smacks of wild west like a Winchester, so what if the settlers carried Sharps, Springfields and shotguns. I liked this one because it was made during WWII. Its hard to fathom, at a time when Russian children were working seven days a week in armaments plants, we were still making nicely turned out civilian hunting rifles. The gun has been refinished and a rifle type crescent buttstock substituted for the correct carbine style. The stock was already on, and it didn't occur to me at the time how much that sharp edge would hurt.

Mannlicher Schoenauer 1950 Rifle

As the 1950 modes were only around for two years, there could not have been that many made. This one caught my eye because it was unmolested and had a three digit serial. Chambered in .270, the gun is pleasant to shoot, but has an extremely tight chamber. If a case has been fired in any other gun, it won't resize down enough (no matter how far down I set the size die) to chamber. As long as I don't use brass from any other gun its okay, but at some point I may have a custom set of dies made for it.

Mannlicher Schoenauer 1952 Carbine

Representing a slight refinement of the 1950 rifles, the most notable difference in the 1952 is the swept back bolt handle. This pristine example is chambered in 30-06. Once again, for reasons beyond comprehension, I managed to find a gun without double set triggers. At about 6.5 pounds, the best use of this rifle today is to punish unsuspecting friends. "Recoil? No no, not at all. You'll barely feel a thing."

Mannlicher Schoenauer MCA Rifle

Finally an MS rifle with double set triggers. I knew if I kept on buying them eventually I would get one. This gun had seen little or no use. Although the metal finish is first rate, the wood suffers for having been produced with modern manufacturing techniques. It lacks the fine hand cut checkering of the older guns. The receiver is drilled and tapped for a scope mount, and being chambered in .243 it will some day get an appropriate varmint scope. All I'll need then is a ranch and an endless supply of squirrels. I believe the MCA was the last hurrah for the venerable 1903 action.

Browning Auto-5 Lightweight (20 gauge)

I have no idea why I bought this gun. The stock has been cut for a woman, or other person of small stature, and consequently does not fit me well. It was cheap, and its a pretty little gun. If I ever meet a woman who likes to shoot...