| buckstix |
| (.400 member) |
| 31/12/17 10:54 PM |
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500 Jeffery - Please Help Identify Unknown Maker
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500 Jeffery - Please Help Identify Unknown Maker
Hello All,
I've posted this here from another site in hopes that just maybe, someone can help to identify the maker of this 500 Jeffery rifle.
The rifle was built on a Military 1928 BRNO VZ24 action, as evidenced by the Military Proofs / Markings and the 1928 Military Acceptance Stamp.
Specs of the rifle are as follows - holds 2 down-1 up, - 26" barrel. - 9 lbs 1 oz, - 14-5/8" LOP, over a 1" LimbSaver pad. (the LimbSaver recoil pad may be a more recent addition based on the remnant of a "Widows-Peak" black spacer) The barrel has a 3 leaf Rear Site and an interesting Ramped Front Site with a small bead, and a "Flip-Up" Ivory Moon Bead.
Although the rifle has a very "German" look to it with its "Butter-Knife" bolt handle and its "side-panel" stock, I'm thinking it was built in the U.S. because the caliber marking is the English caliber designation "500 Jeffery". The stock wood has a very coarse distinctive grain, but its not a laminate. The bottom of the barrel, just ahead of the action, is stamped "BITER" with the stamping "12.4.1998" below it, which I'm assuming is the build date, December 4, 1998.
If anyone has suggestions, or comments as to how I might determine the maker, please feel free to respond.
After the original pictures above were posted, I relieved the tang, and matched the stock wood to the thumb-slot on the action. I also inspected the Mercury Reducer in the stock and while I had the recoil pad removed, I drilled another hole and added a 3/4 pound Tungsten Bar to better balance the rifle. This addition brings the rifle's weight up to 9 lbs 13 oz. (up from its original weight of 9 lbs 1 oz) When fully loaded the weight is 10 lbs 3 oz. The increase in weight reduces the rifle's recoil by over 10%. The added weight balances the rifle's heavy 26" barrel. It was somewhat muzzle heavy, but now balances exactly on the center of the action, making it more comfortable to carry.
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But, the one question that still begs to be answered ... is ... Who / What is BITER?
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| lancaster |
| (.470 member) |
| 01/01/18 12:37 AM |
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Re: 500 Jeffery - Please Help Identify Unknown Maker
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cant help but it looks also american made to me
seems to be a good solid rifle
| kuduae |
| (.400 member) |
| 01/01/18 06:00 AM |
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Re: 500 Jeffery - Please Help Identify Unknown Maker
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As there are no official, civilian proofmarks (at least you don't mention them), the rifles was certainly put together in America. The custom hardware was availble in the USA. Bought such a "Williams Streamlined" front sight ramp and "Whitworth Express rear sight with base" myself from Brownells in the 1990s. The custom bolt handle blank was also offered by them as "Meier Butterknife Bolt Handle #1207".
| 93x64mm |
| (.416 member) |
| 01/01/18 07:46 AM |
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Re: 500 Jeffery - Please Help Identify Unknown Maker
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At just over 9lbs it would have been a 'biter' Buckstix!
Good job adding that extra weigh & hence better balance.
Might have to watch that bolt handle too as it may give you a good smack on your hand upon firing.
As a further note an extra recoil bolt behind the rear of the magazine may help reduce the chance of a stock splitting from this heavy hitter!
Another great work horse for the collection mate, I think a lot including myself would like to see your loads on this one.
All the best for 2018
93x64mm
| Rule303 |
| (.416 member) |
| 01/01/18 08:40 AM |
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Re: 500 Jeffery - Please Help Identify Unknown Maker
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Nice looking rifle and the additions you made buckstix look good and are practical.
Certainly put together in the US going by the way the date is laid out, Month/Day/Year.
| buckstix |
| (.400 member) |
| 01/01/18 01:18 PM |
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Re: 500 Jeffery - Please Help Identify Unknown Maker
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Quote:
At just over 9lbs it would have been a 'biter' Buckstix!
Good job adding that extra weigh & hence better balance.
93x64mm
Hello 93x64mm,
Thanks for the reply.
I tested the rifle today with some reduced loads. Only fired 8 rounds because it was only 3 degrees today. When the weather warms up I'll shoot a little more.
Quote:
Nice looking rifle and the additions you made buckstix look good and are practical.
Certainly put together in the US going by the way the date is laid out, Month/Day/Year.
Hello Rule303,
Thanks for the reply.
The date layout really isn't really a clue. German date would be Day/Month/Year ... so it would be the 12th of April, 1998.
| Wayne59 |
| (.400 member) |
| 01/01/18 01:25 PM |
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Re: 500 Jeffery - Please Help Identify Unknown Maker
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I didn't know that you could put a 500 Jefferys in a standard length action. Learn something new every day.
| grandveneur |
| (.400 member) |
| 01/01/18 10:21 PM |
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Re: 500 Jeffery - Please Help Identify Unknown Maker
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http://forums.nitroexpress.com/showflat....amp;Search=true
Schüler used only standard action for his rifles 12,7x70 with a vertical magazine and spring clips on the side to hold the cartridges. It was a compromise just like for the cartridge 11,2x72. Only the cartridge 10,75x68 was a perfect cartridge for a standard Mauser action , a poor ballistic but a good compromise.
It's better to use a magnum action , but the problem of the rebated rim of all this cartridges , except the 10,75x68 , remains.
| Rule303 |
| (.416 member) |
| 02/01/18 08:14 AM |
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Re: 500 Jeffery - Please Help Identify Unknown Maker
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G'day Buckstix, I think the US is about the only country that dates month,day,year. Not sure about your Northern neighbours.
| buckstix |
| (.400 member) |
| 03/01/18 12:25 AM |
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Re: 500 Jeffery - Please Help Identify Unknown Maker
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Hello Rule303
Thanks for the reply.
Yes, Canada also uses Day, Month, Year.
| buckstix |
| (.400 member) |
| 06/01/18 02:39 AM |
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Re: 500 Jeffery - Please Help Identify Unknown Maker
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by buckstix:
[/QUOTE].
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After another week of daily searches on the internet for a gunsmith named "BITER", I finally found a clue. This ad appeared "one time" in the June 1994 issue of Field & Stream Magazine. I've been following-up with phone calls, and hope to get more information later this evening.
| buckstix |
| (.400 member) |
| 06/01/18 02:40 AM |
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Re: 500 Jeffery - Please Help Identify Unknown Maker
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Quote:
Originally posted by buckstix:
.
.
After another week of daily searches on the internet for a gunsmith named "BITER", I finally found a clue. This ad appeared "one time" in the June 1994 issue of Field & Stream Magazine. I've been following-up with phone calls, and hope to get more information later this evening.