"Original Buchel Meister" Model 7226, Proof Marks & Dating

[Old No7]

Waidmannsheil to all.

I recently acquired an Original Buchel Meister in 8.15x46R and I'll post some images of it in the Schuetzen section later, after I get it out shooting some. For now, I thought I'd start off with the proof marks, to see if what I've learned on this site over the last six months is correct, as well as asking for some help to fill in the gaps on a couple of marks I can't quite interpret.

We'll start off with an easy one... The leftmost image of this 3-image picture:
* Shows the "1st Proof" mark, along with the "Nitro Proof" and stylized "Nitro".

In the center image:
* I believe the "Stylized B" is a Buchel Mark? (Am I correct on that guess?)
* Below that is a single "W", which I think is the someone's mark at Buchel? (Any ideas on that?)

On the right image, in descending order, I see:
* The letters "FS" in an oval (I am not sure what that means?)
* "B1.G" is the lead bullet proof, over an "11gr" (for an 11 grain charge, I believe).
* Then we have the "B. U, G" proof marks (single proof assembled, final inspection, for a rifle).
* Below that is the "7.7m/T" ("m/T" = mm?) bore size before rifling, with a case length of "46" below.
* It was proofed in September 1925 per "9.25", on ledger number "28", most likely in Zella-Mehlis.



Here is the Buchel Meister model number I believe I have:



Lastly, based on the "9.25" date code, it appears that my Buchel rifle falls right in line behind this grouping (with a slight gap in the actual serial number):


From a chamber cast, I've also determined that my Meister has 6 grooves with narrow lands in the bore.

I'd appreciate any other insights on the marks I don't know about, or perhaps guessed wrong...

Waidmannsdanke!

Old No7

[yamoon]

Where did you get the Meister information?
Thanks Mike

[mike ford]

Old No7,
There are two signs your rifle was proofed in Zella-Mehlis. The first is the word Nitro in script, Suhl used block letters. The second is the ledger number (28), Suhl didn't stamp the ledger numbers. One other thing is the 11 gr under the Bl. G., which is the bullet weight, rather than the charge weight. This translates to 169.8 grains.
Mike

[Old No7]

Thanks to Mike F for confirming the Zella-Mehlis connection, and the bullet weight too (so "gr" means grams then -- gee I feel not-so-smart, duh... -- and not "grains" like my American-reloading wired brain had thought).

For Mike (yamoon), a friend who collects single shots had sent me those pictures, I just added in the highlights. He'd gotten them from Google images I think. He has several "System Aydts" in his collection, but he's never had a Buchel -- yet has wanted one for quite awhile. I will have to check my German reference books though, as it might be in there.

I'm curious if anyone knows about the "stylized B", the "W" or the "FS in oval" markings.

Old No7

[Axel E]

The "stylized B", in fact the twisted together letters EFB, is the mark of the Ernst Friedrich Buechel/Büchel Company, Gothaer Str.. 4 , Zella – Mehlis, founded 1837. The Meister Action was invented by Cuno Büchel, who ran the company until his death in 1921. From 1921 to 1935 the company was run by a Richard Ansorg, then taken over by another Z-M gunmaker, Udo (not J.G.!) Anschuetz, another of the 86 Anschuetz listed as active in the Z-M guntrade.
"FS in an oval" is the mark of the barrelmaker Fritz Seyfarth, Hermannstr. 5, Zella – Mehlis.
The W is a mark of an unidentified craftsman who worked on that rifle.

[Old No7]

Wunderbar -- Vielen danke for your contributions Axel.

Old No7

[ThomasLBrandon]

Can you post a photo of the automatic latch lever?

[Old No7]

Can you post a photo of the automatic latch lever?

I think this image will show you what you want to see...



It has "DRGM Buchel" * lettered in the grip's handle at the bottom.

Old No7

* Edit to add:
D.R.G.M. stands for "Deutsches Reiches Gebrauchs Musterschutz" -- meaning a protected patented design under the Reich Government. (For those not aware...)

[norsk]

Here are some pictures of an "Original Buchel Meister" that belongs to my brother-in-law. It was brought back from WWII by his stepfather, and has languished unfired ever since. I took these photos a few years ago, but I could still get access to the gun if anyone has any more questions. Serial number is 3965.

Schutzen3.jpgSchutzen1.jpgSchutzen4.jpgSchutzen6.jpgSchutzen8.jpg

[norsk]

Some more pictures

Schutzen9.jpgSchutzen10.jpgSchutzen11.jpg

[yamoon]

Very nice.
Mike

[Old No7]

Here are some pictures of an "Original Buchel Meister" that belongs to my brother-in-law. It was brought back from WWII by his stepfather... Serial number is 3965.

Wow, norsk -- that is stunning!!!

St. Patty's Day or not today -- color me green with envy!

...and has languished unfired ever since.

Well, that is a shame really....

Myself and others on this forum will help you address that problem if you wish!

Old No7

[norsk]

Don't think I haven't asked to get my hands on it for a little while!! Unfortunately, the stock is badly broken at the wrist, and there is a story behind that. Ben, the stepfather, was in an Army photographic unit that closely followed the combat troops across France and Germany. While driving down a road in Germany, they realized that they were being shot at from a group of trees, and so some of the soldiers returned fire. As they approached the trees, they discovered a wounded German (I don't know if he was a soldier or civilian) who was holding the rifle by the barrel and was swinging it against a tree to destroy it, but only succeeded in breaking the stock. I knew Ben personally, and I do believe this is a true story, as he was not given to telling wild "war stories". Ben always called the gun a "German sniper rifle". He brought the rifle back as is, and no one has ever attempted to repair the stock, which is a good thing! I'm sure it could be repaired, but it would require a good craftsman to do it. I offered to get it repaired when I took the photos, but my brother-in-law wasn't really interested at the time. I guess it's time to ask him again. I know a couple of good gunsmiths here in WI that may be interested. Then, if I could get you guys to help me make some 8.15 x 46R ammo.........