Hello and PCSing to Germany this August

[MattieA65]

Hello,
I have been a member for a year or two. My German guns include: a MS M1908 that has been re-chambered to 8x57; a MS M1952 in 30-06; and an Austrian gunsmithed 98 Mauser in 270 Winchester that needs a new stock.

The M98 is not currently accessible. It is in Colorado and I am in Virginia. But basically, it has almost all the features I like. The octagon-to-round barrel has a full-length integral rib. The bottom metal is 'shotgun style,' with double set triggers and a hinged floorplate with a lever-type release. It has a tang safety in addition to the safety on the bolt sleeve. However, it has no scope mounting system, which seems a bit odd for a 270 Winchester.

In any case, I PCS to Heidelberg, Germany in 3 months. Should I take this gun to Germany and see a gunsmith there about getting the rifle re-stocked and a scope mounting system installed? I would prefer a retro kind of scope mounting system, and an Oberndorf Type ___ stock. I don't know the letter type, but it is the kind with those long oval-shaped side panels below the action and a schnabel fore-end.

[mike ford]

Mattie,
I would encourage you to carry your rifle (and others) with you for the work you described. There will be gunsmiths in Heidelberg or nearby that will be happy to mount a scope in claw mounts for you. Many of the Rod and Gun clubs I remember from the 1970s have closed, but I'm fairly confident that the Heidelberg will still be open. I also encourage you to join and participate in the club activities. You may be discouraged from carrying your guns, by people that don't know any better. Don't listen to them, if you follow all the procedures, you shouldn't have any problems. Be sure to have proof of ownership in the US (bill of sale, US customs documents, or "Transportation" shipping documents with make/model/serial #/ caliber noted). With one of these, you won't have to get permit to import them, when you return. You should buy others while you are there and import them. I also advise not to listen to anyone saying hunting is too much trouble or too expensive. I'm sure things have changed a lot since I was there and it may be harder. Do whatever it takes and you will have some of the most enriching experiences of your life. I envy you for the opportunity you and your family are about to have.
Mike

[MattieA65]

I'll give it a shot if I at all can!

[MattieA65]

Last time I was in Germany was '89-92, and I know what you mean about ignorant people trying to discourage one from doing things that are perfectly legal. I joined a Schutzenhaus in Goppingen and had a lot of fun. They had a good Christmas party. Bought a few guns through the Patch Barracks Rod & Gun Club. Also bought an Anschutz M1907 from, I believe, the Grafoenwehr Rod & Gun that I wish I still had. I was kind of thinking that in addition to hunting in Germany, one could also go to Eastern Europe, which is probably a lot easier to do than back then.

[mike ford]

Mattie,
Since you were there 89-92, your experiences are more current than mine. You mentioned being in Grafoenwer( training,I presume), during my time there,Graf had especially good hunting.One of my hunting friends in Rottendorf near Wuerzburg was the son of Graf's forester and grew up there. While still at home, he helped his father shoot the shooting plan. His home was full of trophies including Red Deer,Roe Deer,Boar,Auerhahn(no longer hunted), and Birkhahn(also no longer hunted).As I was leaving,Graf was being extensively modified to provide manuever room for the M1 tank. I am sure that even with the changes, there would still be good hunting there, as well as the other training areas. I hope our troops are still able to take advantage of it. You mentioned Eastern Europe. I think it is possible to arrange hunts there, but the trophy fees may be pretty expensive; on the other hand they have great trophies avaliable. I know conditions have changed greatly since I was there, but I'm sure we would still have some opportunities under what ever agreement the US is working under. It would be very helpful to the GGCA, if you could send back information relating to this as well as the Rod and Gun Clubs. As an aside, if you do try to hunt in the Eastern European countries, things will be much easier if you go ahead and get a German annual hunting license(Jagdschein).

[MattieA65]

Mike, I have been looking up Rod & Gun club stuff, and hit pay dirt, I think. The Heidelberg Rod & Gun is very active, and they have a Flickr link to thousands of photographs of service members hunting and fishing in Germany and Europe. IMCOM has a "Hunting and Fishing Resources in Europe" guidebook that includes lists of gunsmiths, fishing places, guides, lodges and the like, from as far away as Namibia.
I was last at Grafoenwehr/Vilseck in 2006. It had changed a lot from 1991. The billeting was a lot nicer and the place was more oriented towards those assigned there than to transient units going through gunnery rotations. The maneuver areas had a lot less wear and tear, and so the place was well-tended in the German fashion. From what I've heard, it's even nicer now than in 2006! Must be hard on the maneuver units to avoid even more off-limits areas than before.

[mike ford]

Mattie,
That is great, I'm really happy to hear at least some clubs are still active. I'm pretty sure my old club at Kitzingen has closed-many good times. It would be good if you could send back a copy(s) of the guidebook as well as information on the clubs still active, as well as info on the requirements for getting a hunting license and booking hunts in State Forests. This would be a good service to GGCA members who are also service members or parents of service members.
Thanks in advance,
Mike