Sad story. At one time during the early '70's an unaltered Afrika model came into my store, caliber 9X57. No one knew what it was in those benighted pre-Speed days, and its bizarre appearance demanded some alterations. So.... off came the protruding barrel end and the barrel was trimmed to the same length as the foreend, turning it into a kind of oversize Mannlicher carbine.

The bolt handle was altered for low scope and the action drilled and tapped for a Buehler MicroDial mount. On the mount was fitted a Lyman Alaskan scope with no internal adjustments, using one piece 22mm rings. The mount provided adjustments for both windage and elevation. The double set trigger arrangement was replaced with a conventional commercial adjustable trigger.

What emerged was a really sleek, well handling hunting rifle with a slightly longer than usual barrel and full stock. It is in the possession of the same owner to this day and has seen many an hour in the hunting field. Desecration? Yes, but it could have been much worse.