Hello Guys (after along break for the forum)

A cobber of mine has just acquired a 1903 sporter that is a bit "unusual".

It is ex South Africa (by about 30 years, looks to be pre WW11) and has been rebarreled and possibly restocked at some stage (by a 'Smith who worked to high standards, its nice work).

The thing is its stamped "25 Western" and no-one previously associated with the rifle knows what that means. We think it could be a 6.5x54 MS necked down, and are planning a chamber cast to measure it.

But if it is a necked down version it begs the question as to why . . . . obviously all gun owners have whims from time to time but is there a more logical explanation??