Quote:
This is one of the many rifles brought back from Oberndorf after the factory was occupied by French troops. These Mausers were cobbled together from various parts, and it is certain that this rifle was originally chambered for the 7x57 cartridge. In the 1960s, a change in French gun regulations (Daladier Decree Law of 1939) classified all firearms firing a "military" cartridge as Category 1 – War Weapons. Since the 7x57 had been adopted by Spain as early as 1893, all rifles chambered for this cartridge were no longer legally owned or usable for hunting. Many of these rifles were re-chambered for the 7x64 and obtained proof marks from the Saint-Étienne Proof House. However, the 7x57's case base diameter is larger than that of the 7x64 Brenneke, resulting in a significant expansion of the 7x64 case during firing. Another modification was also applied, converting the rifle from 7x57 to 7x57R by changing the bolt head and extractor blade. We occasionally see one or two of these, but the quality is too often mediocre to be of any real interest.
DORLEAC www.dorleac-dorleac.com
MrD, If the gunsmith took the barrel out to rechamber from 7x57 to 7x64, if he found that the chamber wasn't cut properly, surely he would have shortened the barrel at the chamber end to time exactly 1-2 turns so that the sights are again correct & headspace accordingly for that? So if done correctly then it would be a fantastic piece indeed!
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