C D Gun Shop Wiesbaden

[Thomasg]

PXL_20240824_162924512.jpg I have just taken in a Beautiful post-WWII Mauser that I believe was made by FN in Belgium. This rifle closely resembles many of the post-war Browning Hi-Power rifles I have handled in the past. I appears that the rifle was sent to Germany where much of the custom work was done. A gorgeous Mannlicher stock with oak leaf checkering. They jeweled the bolt and follower, engraved the chamber area and floor plate. Re-chambered the rifle for .300 Win Mag. On the top of the barrel it is marked "C D Gun Shop Wiesbaden" (in English).
Does anyone know who or when this gun shop operated?

[Thomasg]

A few additional pics. PXL_20240824_163029115.jpg PXL_20240824_163124710.jpg

[mike ford]

Thomasg,
Send photos of the proof marks, if it was re-chambered to .300 Win Mag in Germany, the proofs should show it. The trigger and scope mounts seem to be American, but ERA made Canjar type triggers and American type mounts within their wide variety of items. Hints can be gleaned from makers marks on these items. The animal on the floor plate looks like an Elk, but the "Crowns" on the antlers seem to be "Red Deer", so I believe it was engraved in Germany. Engravers didn't always sign their work, but sometimes would, especially if requested by the owner. A close inspection of the engraving may show a happy surprise.
Mike

[Thomasg]

Here are the photos of all the visible proof marks. There are two marks I struggle to identify. On the barrel there is a "star" or "crown" over and "S". On the bolt there might be a crown over a "PV". Also see the inscription on the barrel. Thank you Mike, Tom PXL_20240824_144124060.jpg PXL_20240824_144136400.jpg PXL_20240826_132308594.jpg PXL_20240826_132341798.jpg

[Thomasg]

Hello, a close up of the floor plate and trigger guard PXL_20240826_132421360.jpg PXL_20240826_132429443.jpg PXL_20240826_132434690.jpg PXL_20240826_132439186.jpg detail., regards, Tom

[mike ford]

Thomasg,
The visible proof marks are Belgian, and the engraved name of the gunshop obviously was applied by the hands of someone other than the engraver that did the other, fine engraving. This leads me to suspect, without any proof, that the rifle may have been a "high grade" FN rifle that was merely scoped and had a Canjar (or EAW) single set trigger added and possibly rechambered in that shop. If that is the case, it would have been re-proved due to the rechambering. The barreled action would have to be removed from the stock to show these marks. If there are no proof marks under the barrel, The FN rifle was likely only sold in the shop and the rechambering (and possibly scope mounting and trigger) was likely done in the US. We need to see under the barrel.
Mike

[Thomasg]

Hello Mike
Unfortunately the underside of the rifle did not reveal any secrets. The bottom of the action is marked with two very small stamped squares with the number "3" in them.
Thank you for looking,
Tom

[mike ford]

Tom,
Since that is the case, I believe the re-chambering to 300 Win Mag was done in the US.
Mike