Borrowed from another forum.

"Here is a rifle marked Nowatny of Prague. I believe it was manufactured by Haenel and sold to Nowatny, a retailer, though there are no Haenel markings on it, even under the woodline.

Markings indicate that it was originaly in 8MM. It is now in .35 Whelen but the groove diameter is .354" which make me think that the bore was worn out and then rebored in Germany or Austria to 9x57, brought to the US where 9x57 ammo would have been difficult to obtain so rechambered to .35 Whelen.

The peep sight is not meant to be a peep sight as we are accustomed to them but is used in conjunction with the express sight and front sight to sharpen the focus of the iron sights as we today use the little diopters that stick on our glasses in competition shooting. I wonder if the Lyman sights mounted on These Haenels that have iron sights as well are for the same reason.

The stock has been refinished several times and the sling mounts have been located in two other places on the stock previously.
Vlad"