2152hq
(.300 member)
07/04/17 08:25 AM
Re: 1893 steyr 6.5x53R- HuntersLodge Rifles info

I think the rifles that HuntersLodge are selling are Portuguese Navy Short Rifles, Model of 1896.

Steyr mfg of course and made on the 1893 action.
The contract w/ Portugal included Short rifles and also some Carbines.
The Short rifles are yr/mfg marked on the left side 1896.

I've seen a few at shows around the last year or so and finally picked one up at a decent price ($125) that a dealer had bought at an auction and was clearing it out,,wonder what he got it for.

Another Milsurp dealer saw it and remarked about how 'those were the bunch that HuntersLodge was selling". It never rang a bell w/me till I saw this thread.
I'm just assuming these are the 1896 Portuguese versions of course, but I'll give you a little info on what I know of them from personally seeing a few and owning one.

They were all import marked with hand stamped (individual stamps) heavily into the front left side of the rec'vr ring . CAI was the importer.
The Portuguese crest (King Carlos?)is still visible on those I saw and on mine on the top of the ring but some are faint from wear and use and 'patina' (rust!).
Little or no original blue is left,,some bare metal, some pitting especially UNDER the wood line. (I think these rifles went to Colonial Troops in Africa during or after WW1).
Numbers generally match on the action, bbl and trigger guard. The bolts didn't match on any that I recall. No missing bolt head parts and the bolt faces were relatively clean with little or no pitting around the firing pin hole.

No clearing rods on any of them. The rifles were made w/a handguard and all had one that I saw. Some in better shape than others. The pic on Hunterslodge doesn't show one, but I don't know what the pic is of actually. MAybe they have a completely different rifle and I'm typing this all for nothing!

Bores were all fair to poor. But thats just a 1/2 dozen rifles I have seen. Maybe some are better.
The one I have was poor+ but cleaned up to fair with some brushing. Haven't shot it yet,,maybe a gem awaits!

Stocks are dirty , dented and a few cracks. Butt plates are smooth steel and rusty.

Nice smooth Steyr actions,,all of them, Safetys and triggers all worked as they should.

I bought mine with the intention of building a sporter also. I figured if the 6.5 bbl was no good, I'd send it off to JES rebore to make it a 303 or a 375 if the dia will take it. Cost would be another $275 or so. I'll set the bbl back 1 thread in doing so.
Building a sporter from that point is pretty straight forward.

But I'm still really looking for an original sporter as a 'project gun'. Something to restore that needs some help. That's what I've done for the last 45yrs and feel most comfortable doing. But times running low I'm afraid and maybe this Navy Short Rifle will be that Sporter.

Hope this all helps and didn't just confuse things.

I think I can post some pics of the rifle if you'd like them, maybe help make a decision.



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