buckstix
.400 member
Reged: 07/11/12
Posts: 1372
Loc: Whitetail Country
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Friedrich Stendebach Double Rifle 8x57R - Most Innovative Award
Hello All,
I just acquired this most unique German Double rifle in 8x57R cal. My father passed away last weekend and left me a small inheritance.
He was a German immigrant, and very special to me. I wanted to buy something special that would always remind me of him. This is it.
Now, as with most new acquisitions, I'm trying to discover all the "tid-bits" of information about this rifle. Information from the previous
owner and research on the internet has unveiled some very interesting facts, but I'm sure that there may be someone who can fill in
additional information that would be of interest to this forum's audience.
This was built by Friedrich Stendebach sometime between 1907 and 1920. I'm hoping details of the many proof marks I've pictured
might assist in narrowing this range.
Here are the Specs:
Top Pivot Snap Action Lock
Underlever Opening
Pivoting Breach
Bushed Firing Pins
8x57R caliber (.315 bore / .323 groove - measured)
23 inch barrels
Right barrel block top marked: "Stenda Werke"
Left barrel block top marked: "Abteilung Waffen, Suhl"
Both barrel sides marked: "Krupp Stahl"(logo) - "St.m.G./15gr" - "Crown N"
Both barrel bottoms marked: "KRUPP STAHL" - "R.H." - "Eagle" "Crown G" - "Diamond K"(2 ea bbl)
Left barrel bottom marked: "serial no."
Both barrel block bottoms marked - "Eagle" "Crown U" - "7,8 mm" - "57"
Action marked: "serial no."(2 places)- "Eagle" "Crown U"
Forend metal marked: "serial no."
Ghost Ring Rear Sight w/ Vertical Adjustment
Weight is 9#-10oz
14" LOP
Right Trigger is also a Set Trigger
Cocking Indicator Buttons
Safety Indicator Button
Heel Bullet Trap
Steel Butt Plate
Sling Eyes
Interestingly, the frame pivot sockets have what appear to be hardened adjustable gibbs.
You can see them in the 8th picture down showing the frame with the barrels removed.
In searching the internet I found the following patent & ad illustrations.
Also, in 2012 the former owner received this "Most Innovative Design" Award from the German Gun Collectors Association Vintagers
in Mapleville, Rhode Island.
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"You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early."
Edited by CptCurl (28/09/13 11:33 PM)
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gungadoug
.333 member
Reged: 13/08/12
Posts: 285
Loc: NM
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Amazing! What a find. I sure would slug the bores, however, being marked 7.8!
Enjoy! Doug
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buckstix
.400 member
Reged: 07/11/12
Posts: 1372
Loc: Whitetail Country
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Hello gungagoug,
Quote:
"..I sure would slug the bores.."
Yes, I did. See my post above ... ? 8x57R caliber (.315 bore / .323 groove - measured)
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"You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early."
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rigbymauser
.400 member
Reged: 15/05/05
Posts: 2027
Loc: Denmark
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Quote:
Hello gungagoug,
Quote:
"..I sure would slug the bores.."
See my post above ... ? 8x57R caliber (.315 bore / .323 groove - measured)
7,8mm = .307".
Have you done a chambercast?. I have a suspicion you have a 8x57R/360. The bore/groove diameter seem too odd for a German done in 1910s when they already had an established standards for 8x57R & rimless.
Edited by rigbymauser (03/08/13 06:46 AM)
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buckstix
.400 member
Reged: 07/11/12
Posts: 1372
Loc: Whitetail Country
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Hello rigbymauser,
Quote:
".. Have you done a chambercast? .."
Yes, chamber casts were made. As per my posting: "...8x57R caliber (.315 bore / .323 groove - measured)
Note the word "measured". The Bore and Groove diameters were air-gauged for each barrel.
--------------------
"You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early."
Edited by CptCurl (28/09/13 11:34 PM)
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buckstix
.400 member
Reged: 07/11/12
Posts: 1372
Loc: Whitetail Country
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Hello folks,
I got a nice Italian leather case for the Stendebach. I figured it would keep it safe. I should be shooting it this weekend to see how it performs.
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"You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early."
Edited by CptCurl (28/09/13 11:35 PM)
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buckstix
.400 member
Reged: 07/11/12
Posts: 1372
Loc: Whitetail Country
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Well,
As I said above, I got to the range to test fire this special Double today. I didn't have any 8x57R standard ammo, but I had some
Norma 8x57JR with 196g Round Nose bullets. These bullets are both too light, and too small in diameter. According to the
markings on the barrel, the bullet weight should be about 232g. I fired 8 rounds in 2 groups of 4 each, letting the rifle
thoroughly cool between the 4-shot strings.
Not sure why things changed, but R1,L1 & R2,L2 didn't do too bad, giving a right/left horizontal group. When I went back to the
rifle after it had cooled, the group went vertical. I'll be anxious to test some reloads with .323 dia bullets. I have several
hundred 225g round nose that I will be trying.
If anyone has reloading data for 8x57R using 220g - 232g billets, please jump in. I could use a starting point. Thanks
--------------------
"You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early."
Edited by CptCurl (28/09/13 11:35 PM)
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