Old German Hunting Rifle? 9x57mm?

[jim_ish]

Recently purchase this old rifle, any information would be appreciated.

As best I can figure this one shoots a 9X57mm bullet (available at Buffalo arms) as one stamp on the barrel is Crown B over 8.7mm over 57. The receiver is stamped Crown over B as well.

If the caliber can be confirmed I will order up a box and head to the range (my 13 year old son likes to post his shooting video's on youtube under zehnerdygamer) when it gets warm.

I will try to get pictures tomorrow.

Thanks,
Jim

[jim_ish]

Oh, some of the pictures were not too large. Can it be determined who made the rifle and when?

Thanks,
Jim

[jim_ish]

Oh, some of the pictures were not too large. Can it be determined who made the rifle and when?

Thanks,
Jim

[mike ford]

jim_ish,
For some reason, I couldn't get the photos to come up. Based on your description of the markings I, too, believe your rifle is chambered for 9x57. My own 9x57, and all the others I personally "slugged" accept .357-.358" bullets. However others report barrels as small as .352" groove diameter. It wouldn't hurt if you "slugged" your barrel to determine it's groove diameter. This caliber is one that is easy to load for. It is easy to fireform 8x57 cases, and(as stated above) many rifles accept standard .358" bullets. If a fired case will easily admit a .358" bullet, that diameter may be used even if the groove diameter is slightly smaller. A German friend just used Norma loading data for the 358 Winchester in handloading for his M88 9x57.
Mike

[mike ford]

jim_ish,
For some reason, I couldn't get the photos to come up. Based on your description of the markings I, too, believe your rifle is chambered for 9x57. My own 9x57, and all the others I personally "slugged" accept .357-.358" bullets. However others report barrels as small as .352" groove diameter. It wouldn't hurt if you "slugged" your barrel to determine it's groove diameter. This caliber is one that is easy to load for. It is easy to fireform 8x57 cases, and(as stated above) many rifles accept standard .358" bullets. If a fired case will easily admit a .358" bullet, that diameter may be used even if the groove diameter is slightly smaller. A German friend just used Norma loading data for the 358 Winchester in handloading for his M88 9x57.
Mike

[jim_ish]

Thanks for the caliber conformation, I don't have reloading equipment but will pick up some ammo and give it a go.

This rifle has seen a rough life but the bore is good and I appreciated the history, here is another try at the pictures.

Jim

[mike ford]

jim_ish,
I still couldn't get the images to open, but don't believe you caused the problem. Diz reported the same problem on another thread ( I also had the same problem on that thread). Also, you might notice my double posting. This has been happening to me and some others, for a long while, but recently I have been unable to delete the second one. Let us know how the rifle shoots.
Mike

[mike ford]

jim_ish,
I still couldn't get the images to open, but don't believe you caused the problem. Diz reported the same problem on another thread ( I also had the same problem on that thread). Also, you might notice my double posting. This has been happening to me and some others, for a long while, but recently I have been unable to delete the second one. Let us know how the rifle shoots.
Mike

[Axel E]

Me too, I cannot open up those thumbnail pics. Obviously there is something wrong with the forum. For some time now I worked around the double post problem by leaving the page immediately after pushing the "post reply" button. All I can say right now: apparently a hunting rifle in 9x57 built post-WW1 on a left over military action. Are there any other numbers or letters below the 8,7/57 markings? Is it a large or small ring 98 receiver?

[sharps4590]

Chalk me up as #4 who couldn't pull up the pictures. Posting for me has also been a little goofy with "are you sure you want to leave this page" and " you must wait 30 seconds between posts"...or something like that.

[Fred]

Some of the issues might be with our host not the vBulletin software. BlueHost has had problems today.

[jim_ish]

Dropped the rifle off at the local gun smith to get a refinish as the finish is so poor.

I can cancel if others feels this is not wise.

Jim

[mike ford]

jim-ish,
It is your rifle and you are free to do with it what you will. If it were my rifle, I wouldn't turn it over to someone else to polish and blue it. These jobs usually wipe out the writing, dish the holes, and turn the edges. Also over zealous sanding may result in the metal being "proud" of the wood. On the other hand, a proper hand polish , sanding and checkering job will be quite costly. If it were mine, I would want to know more about it, before I decided to spend a lot on it. I could have the work done, anytime; but once done, it can't be undone.
Mike

[sharps4590]

As Mike said, it's your rifle to do with as you please. My thoughts about old rifles is unless they are an absolute boat anchor or trot line weight leave them as is. It's their story to tell and ours to hold for and pass on to future generations. All the wear, dents, dings and missing blue are a part of their history whether we know the stories or not. Call it character if so inclined. They're only original once and also as Mike said, once it's gone, it's gone forever.

A good cleaning and a little preservation is all I would do but, that's me. If one has to have new looking and shiny, go for it. Bear in mind a lot of hot blue solutions applied to old German steels often come out plumb colored rather than the nice rust blue of the originals.

[Nathaniel Myers]

I'll agree with the previous folks opinions. The only people I would trust to refinish the gun the cost would be prohibitively for an older gun like that.

Personally I like a rifle with wear. I hate brand new shiny pickup trucks. It would be like picking up a brand new hammer.