Lancaster,

This rifle is chambered for the same cartridge as Podewils Grundig. Podewils had Dave Davison at CH4D make him some dies about seven years ago. It seems that Dave made four sets at that time in case someone else wanted some, so I have ordered a set.

Podewils & Dave came up with the name "12.3 x 62mmR Grundig". As you may have seen in the photos above, my barrels are marked 47 & 48 bore. The case is probably based on the .43 Mauser, although modern .43 cases seem a little undersize in the head.

It seems that the crown over V mark was only applied between 1891 - 1894 so dates the rifle fairly well.
"G" is for a rifled barrel designed to fire bullet
"U" is for black powder final test
"R" indicates a retest after repair

I can't find any info for the round stamp bottom right on the second photo.

The only history I know of this rifle is that it came from the estate of a well known collector who was a fellow member of NZ Antique Arms Assn. I have two other rifles from his estate, a Martini in .360 2 1/4" and a (cased)Westley Richards Improved in 577/500 No2 Express.

Steve