Martin:
Thanks for the information and good story of the .577 Snyder double. It would be a rifle I would like to own as well. Yes, I have three original sporters on the 1888 action. All three are 8x57 ( j / I ) bore on two and an "S" configuration on a the third. Two seem to be built by the same maker. Barrel length and configuration, engraving style, sights, etc. Both have lovely tapered octogon with two leaf open sights.
Stock styles almost identical. They differ in that one is original magazine configuration for the 5 cartridge clip and the other modified with no extended magazine, but an intigral 3 round magazine that requires no clip. This one has Mannlicher style claw mounts installed, but no scope was with it.
The third is a full lenght carbine with shrouded barrel jacket as with the military. I have hunted deer and russian bore with the one with open sights. I suppose I should switch this over to the Mauser catagory!!
I have great interest of sporting guns in South America. I have a collection of Argentine and Chilean military Mausers and Argentine Remington Rolling block that I love to shoot. Mi esposa is Chileana.
I have been to Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Brazil and Peru. I have seen a few guns for sport, but not many so far. I would like to here more about this.
Thanks,