9.5X47R rifle Mauser 71 action

[PatBig]

hello, I have a fine target/hunting rifle with what seems to be a Mauser 71 action, chambered in 9.5X47R. It's in near new condition. Very pleasant to shoot, and very accurate. I cannot figure out what the gunmaker's initial on the barrel mean. Can somebody help me? Thanks
Pat

[Axel E]

Valentin Christian Schilling, Suhl, founded 1816, factory at Rimbachstr. sold to Sempert & Krieghoff in 1914, last gunshop sold in 1919.

[algmule]

Hello

Does anyone know why the company V. Chr. Schilling, Suhl, gives two founding dates - 1816 and 1819? I have two ads giving a founding date 1816 and one (possibly two) ad giving 1819 as the founding date.

The last legal activities concerning the company that I've been able to find is from August 1921. It involves a Gustav Mez von Moritz and a Walter Schilling. A Gustav Mez was also involved in V. Chr. Schilling's Zweigniederlassung in Berlin-Schöneberg, closed down in late 1919 if my info is correct. Other people involved in the subsidiary in Berlin were Carl Schlüns (Oberingenieur), Mehlis; Walter Schilling (Kaufmann), Suhl and Walter Prüfer (Ingenieur), Suhl. Apparently (Dr.) Gustav Mez took over the outlet in Berlin in January 1918. Prüfer was involved in the Suhl-business up until autumn 1919. It could very well be that the legal activities in August 1921 refers to the Berlin subsidiary and if so, my info is incorrect as regards when the outlet in Berlin was closed down.

The business apparently continued - in name at least - in the 1920's as they were advertizing under the name V. Chr. Schilling, Suhl from Bahnhofstraße 10. The business then gives 1818 as founding date. I'd appreciate info on whom was in charge in 1925. Krieghoff?

The company name Firma V. Chr. Schilling occurs in connection with another company, a Schilling & Krämer, Suhl. Anyone having any info on the relationship between the companies?

Pat,
I can't give any info on your rifle but wouldn't mind you posting another set of images. Lovely rifle. Thank you for posting.

EDIT: sole owner of Firma V. Chr. Schilling from November 12, 1919, was a Ludwig Bornhöft. He was the owner up until, and including, 1928. After 1928 I have no info. Yet.

Kind regards
Peter

[PatBig]

VC Schilling bolt action rifle

Hello, a few more pictures. Help deciphering the various proof marks welcome. I guess the rifle could have been manufactured in January 1908, am I right? I have shot about 150 cartridges, reformed 45-70 gov brass, CH4D dies, Accurate Molds 38 210R. 15 grains of N110 powder, alternatively 45 grains of Swiss no 2 black powder. Very accurate to 100 meters, no range to try further. Thanks for your inputs

[mike ford]

Pat,
Without detailed photos, including proof marks( if any), we can't say for sure, but more than likely your rifle is built on an M 71 "Type" action. This was a popular type action, for a while, and was made in several different sizes to fit the particular cartridge(Tesching to 12 bore Vogel Gewehr). I have one in 8.15x46R, that fits the cartridge precisely, being much smaller than an M71. In your case, I would expect the action to be shorter than the M71, but similar width. Also, the bolt handle seems different and it seems to have a base for the rear sight( which the 71 doesn't have) but no safety( which the 71 does have). While you can obviously hunt with the rifle( I have hunted with mine also), these features point to it being mainly a target rifle. The 9.5x47R was a popular Schutzen cartridge before the 8.15x46R became more or less standard, but it was powerful enough to have some hunting applications( is sometimes chambered in combination guns- obviously hunting guns).
Mike
Pat, It seems we were writing at the same time. The 108,49 is not the date. Rather it is the bore( not groove or bullet) diameter, expressed in gauge measurement. This equates to about 8.89 mm (.349"). This mark is also often found on various nominal 9.3mm chambered rifles, causing confusion as to the correct nominal cartridge. German barrels are often tighter than the nominal caliber would indicate. Since you have been shooting it, you have obviously worked all that out. As to when your rifle was made, the proof marks weren't required until early 1893, and in about 1911 they changed from marking bore diameter in gauge to mm measurement. Consequently your rifle was made between these dates. The Suhl proof house started marking the proof dates around 1923, the Zella-Mehlis proof house started much earlier. As you already know, you have a nice rifle.
Mike

[PatBig]

Many thanks Mike!

[DreyseM65]

Pat, that is a very nice interesting rifle! Thanks for sharing it and some load data.

Mike, I would love to see your 71 in 8.15 X 46R. I have been looking for one of those for a while.

[mike ford]

Willi,
Funny how things work out, I was looking for a kipplauf 8.15x46R when I found the bolt gun. Also, it is one of the rifles that "turned me off" of shooting black powder. I will try to come up with photos.
Mike