I'm looking at a Christoph Funk Sporter

[sbakf]

I'm looking at a Christoph Funk sporter. I don't know anything about them, but it looks a bit like my vintage J.P. Sauer & Sohn.
Mauser action is all numbers matching with a S/N of 49,386 under the large receiver ring (commercial action). I'm dating this action about 1911 (ref. Speed's book). Funk barrel is the typical octagon shape tapering to round at the muzzle. One fixed and one hinged rear sight with ramped front sight. Levered magazine cover (Maser number "86" only inside) and double triggers. Funk S/N on the barrel is 24114. Unlike my Sauer, there are no Funk numbers stamped anywhere either on the action or sight bases. The rifle is not fitted to its original stock - it's a poor copy in style, but nice nevertheless.

Anyone have any info that might help me date when this rifle was assembled? Owner said he slugged the barrel and got a measure of 0.320-0.323 (might suggest post-WWI). Nitro proof marking on the receiver is 2.5 gG.B.R./St.M.G. (suggests 1912 or earlier).

[mike ford]

Steve,
Can you post photos, including proofmarks under barrel. The 0.320-0.323" groove dia.really indicates pre-WW1, instead of " Post". The "S" bore came in ca. 1905 and after 1920 was restricted. Your dating of 1911 seems about right, and 8x57IS would be ok for this time.It would be interesting to see if it has a "repair" proof, for rechambering to 8x60S.
Mike

[sbakf]

Mike,

I bought it last night, but won't get it until early next month. I can't find much info on these off the internet. I did find one website that displayed a few of these Funk Mausers and one was described as a before 1923 model - its S/N was 34237.

http://www.christophfunk.dk/gun-collection/

Steve




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[mike ford]

Steve,
The bore is marked 7.8, which would match to 0.318-0.320" groove dia.,but the action has an "S" stamped on it. I can't quite make out the proof mark directly over the mm in 7.8mm, it could be the bottom of an "R" or a "K"( if K, not a proof mark). Can you tell what it is?. With no way to know, I wonder if it is one of the civilian hunting rifles pressed into service as a sniper rifle until supply caught up, and were replaced. They were inspected and marked by a plaque on the stock, whether for "I" or "IS" ammo.If so, it may have been rebarreled after the war to meet restrictions on "IS" rifles. The Imperial acceptance mark would have been lost in the rebarreling. None of this can be proven, Axel, do you have an opinion?It looks to have been hot blued without accounting for a special barrel steel, hence the off color.
Mike

[sbakf]

More photos (6-10)

Yes - I did take note (before buying) of gap between stock and trigger assembly. Seller was nice enough to mention this flaw before I said anything about it. Scope is said to date to the 50's or 60's. I have no info on dating the claw mounts.


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[sbakf]

More photos (11-15)

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[sbakf]

More photos (16-20)

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[sbakf]

More photos (21-25)

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[sbakf]

Steve,
The bore is marked 7.8, which would match to 0.318-0.320" groove dia.,but the action has an "S" stamped on it. I can't quite make out the proof mark directly over the mm in 7.8mm, it could be the bottom of an "R" or a "K"( if K, not a proof mark). Can you tell what it is?. With no way to know, I wonder if it is one of the civilian hunting rifles pressed into service as a sniper rifle until supply caught up, and were replaced. They were inspected and marked by a plaque on the stock, whether for "I" or "IS" ammo.If so, it may have been rebarreled after the was to meet restrictions on "IS" rifles. The Imperial acceptance mark would have been lost in the rebarreling. None of this can be proven, Axel, do you have an opinion?It looks to have been hot blued without accounting for a special barrel steel, hence the off color.
Mike

Mike,

Sorry, I was looking and posting photos - didn't realize you had posted. The proof marks over the 7.8mm are a large crown and a smaller crown over N. As to what you're saying about the barrel color vs receiver - I've seen this color variance many times before (internet searches) on these old German sporters. This is what my Sauer looks like - that is, barrel is plum color and receiver is blue. It's been said by some that this mismatch indicates the barrel was hot blued and the receiver rust blued. I'm beginning to think barrel and receiver were probably once of the same color (when new), but the metal composition of the barrel makes it turn plum in color with advanced age.

Where are you seeing the "S" on the action?

Steve

[algmule]

..........

[ellenbr]

Looks like a nice brace of jagged encircled Ks stamped. Can you post an image of those?

Cheers,

Raimey
rse

[sbakf]

Where are you seeing the "S" on the action?

Damn - the "S" must be short for snake. What would the "S"- stamp indicate?

[sbakf]

Hello

Steve, could it be G.B.P. instead of G.B.R.? It looks to me as if the "right leg" (sorry) of the R actually is a full stop. If so it´s Gewehr-Blättchen-Pulver.

I realize you may have mis-typed it in your post. Happens to me a lot. If so sorry for pointing it out.

Kind regards
Peter

Peter,

I typed it wrong without thinking (I know better) - it is G.B.P. as you say. Another photo with Mike's "S" included. I need another cup of coffee.

[sbakf]

Looks like a nice brace of jagged encircled Ks stamped. Can you post an image of those?

Cheers,

Raimey
rse


Raimey,

I tried enhancing, but picture still isn't clear. I'll ask seller to send another photo.

FUNK MAUSER (CALIFORNIA) pix330516000.jpg (ENHANCED X2).jpg

[ellenbr]

Ah, now worries just wait until you have it in hand. I can drive down to view it for myself.

Cheers,

Raimey
rse