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Shooting & Reloading - Mausers, Big Bores and others >> Mannlicher Discussion forum & Archive
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paradox_
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Loc: Australia
Rebirthed Purdey –Mannlicher-Magazine conversion
      #310600 - 18/01/18 03:41 PM

I recently acquired this Model 1908, proofed in 1909 (early example), and retailed retailed by Purdeys in 1909
It is now chambered for 243Win. I know…. I hear you all cringing., and saying that isn’t going to work.
With some trepidation I made the purchase knowing the inherent problems that can be incurred when dealing with “ non parent” cartridges in the Mannlicher magazines. Feed and magazine issues, and failure to keep the original character of the rifle being the most common problems.
I was pleasantly surprised on receiving the rifle, it’s in fine, excellent condition and the bore is new!!
Proof marks indicate the rifle went back to its birthplace for the rebarreling, Id like to think to Steyr, but probably not??. ( Photo barrel marking)
It appears everything was done to keep the rifle as true to its originals specs as possible, the barrel profiled to the channel and most of the original furniture kept. The rear sight blade is a replacement.
A recoil pad was added (shame).
I’m guessing that the mounts and scope were added at the time of re barrelling, and I can date the scope to 1970.
Although the front mount covers the ring It is non the less tasteful and in keeping.
Now here is the good part. The Original magazine has been modified and a copy of the guide ring found in the later ( post 1924) models added, the front and rear guides in the magazine body are retained The 243 cartridges are held correctly removing any risk of jamming. Photo shows an early " 03" for comparison.
It feeds bullets ranging from 75GRHP-105GR RN & SP and no matter what I do I cannot get them to jam. Photo shows how the retaining ring supports the cartridge neck.
The long 105GR do exceed SAMI MAOL (2710), even when loaded 00:20 off the lands but all bullets function and feed correctly. No jamming, no third cartridge syndrome. The barrel appears brand new, with standard 1:10 twist.
So it can be done!. I’m not advocating anyone should destroy a perfectly good Mannlicher, and 243 would not have been my first choice. However for those who own an example whose barrel is beyond hope, and then there are options. Just make sure your smith knows what he is doing!
I am about to start load testing, and will report back.

Eric


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--------------------
Walk softly and carry a big stick

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lancaster
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Reged: 06/05/08
Posts: 9033
Loc: There's a lighthouse in the mi...
Re: Rebirthed Purdey –Mannlicher-Magazine conversion [Re: paradox_]
      #310604 - 18/01/18 05:25 PM

austrian proofmarks, no doubt



--------------------
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Waidmannsheil
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Reged: 19/04/13
Posts: 2443
Loc: Melbourne Australia
Re: Rebirthed Purdey –Mannlicher-Magazine conversion [Re: lancaster]
      #310606 - 18/01/18 06:40 PM

Looks superb, really well don. And a Purdey none the less. Super.

Waidmannsheil.

--------------------
There is nothing wrong with vegetarian food, so long as there is meat with it.

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Rothhammer1
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Reged: 06/01/17
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Re: Rebirthed Purdey –Mannlicher-Magazine conversion [Re: Waidmannsheil]
      #310607 - 18/01/18 07:22 PM

Very, very nice.

I, too, would prefer 'all original' but that's one mighty fine MS regardless.

It would be nice to have a 'pre war' MS chambered for a readily available cartridge. That's why I've long admired the M1924 (.30-'06).

Your 'M1908-.243' seems to be a very well engineered conversion, and guilt free (someone else did it). Sort of a 'best of both worlds' with low number, fitted case, original provenance, yet a near 'fresh' and proper modification.

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Citizen of the Cherokee Nation

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kuduae
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Reged: 13/01/10
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Re: Rebirthed Purdey –Mannlicher-Magazine conversion [Re: Rothhammer1]
      #310609 - 18/01/18 09:34 PM

The NPF Nitro proofmark shows it was rebarreled and proofed in Ferlach, Austria, not in Steyr, where the NPV (Vienna) mark was used.

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Rothhammer1
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Reged: 06/01/17
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Re: Rebirthed Purdey –Mannlicher-Magazine conversion [Re: kuduae]
      #310610 - 18/01/18 09:44 PM

What he said ^

From 1939 Stoeger:



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Citizen of the Cherokee Nation

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Eck
.275 member


Reged: 10/09/06
Posts: 64
Loc: Burke, VA
Re: Rebirthed Purdey –Mannlicher-Magazine conversion [Re: Rothhammer1]
      #310615 - 18/01/18 11:19 PM

Beautiful rifle!

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Carpetsahib
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Reged: 29/04/07
Posts: 435
Loc: Western NC
Re: Rebirthed Purdey –Mannlicher-Magazine conversion [Re: paradox_]
      #310617 - 18/01/18 11:33 PM

Congratulations! That is a beautiful rifle. Can you tell whether the rotor has been modified to fit the .243? It looks like it is unaltered from this vantage point.

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paradox_
.375 member


Reged: 12/05/07
Posts: 645
Loc: Australia
Re: Rebirthed Purdey –Mannlicher-Magazine conversion [Re: Carpetsahib]
      #310660 - 19/01/18 07:16 PM

Carpet

Very good question, I have another original 1908 on the way, so will compare closely. Im inclined to say not.
Thank you Kuduae, I was confusing the original NPV, with the later NPF...any chance do you think that the Ferlach PH might tell me who sent the rifle for proof after rebarrel???

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kuduae
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Re: Rebirthed Purdey –Mannlicher-Magazine conversion [Re: paradox_]
      #310668 - 19/01/18 11:28 PM

Quote:

...any chance do you think that the Ferlach PH might tell me who sent the rifle for proof after rebarrel???


Is there a number with a R prefix somewhere on the barrrel, maybe covered by the wood? This number may contain the gunmaker's Ferlach "house number".
BTW, STT is the encoded proof date, May 1988.

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Carpetsahib
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Re: Rebirthed Purdey –Mannlicher-Magazine conversion [Re: lancaster]
      #310669 - 20/01/18 12:14 AM

Quote:

austrian proofmarks, no doubt



I hear that kangaroos (canguros?) are particularly fond of edelweiss.

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Waidmannsheil
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Re: Rebirthed Purdey –Mannlicher-Magazine conversion [Re: Carpetsahib]
      #310685 - 20/01/18 07:43 AM

So much so that is now extinct.

Waidmannsheil.

--------------------
There is nothing wrong with vegetarian food, so long as there is meat with it.

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paradox_
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Loc: Australia
Re: Rebirthed Purdey –Mannlicher-Magazine conversion [Re: paradox_]
      #310699 - 20/01/18 05:59 PM

Kuduae

Thank you. When did the actual date stamping finish and the encoding start, or do the two methods overlap....sorry if you have covered this in previous discussions. Better photo below



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NitroXAdministrator
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Re: Rebirthed Purdey –Mannlicher-Magazine conversion [Re: lancaster]
      #310707 - 20/01/18 07:09 PM

Quote:

austrian proofmarks, no doubt





Ha ha.

And the .243 would be perfect for just those big Austrian hopping mouses ...

Even though the .243 is not traditional, I reckon a carbine in this choice is great for Australia. Handy for scrub hunting of feral pigs. Alpine feral goats. Perfect for a Gippsland Hog deer hunt. Great for fallow, chital deer, and still capable on reds, and rusa. Handy for a chamois hunt in NZ. Perfect calibre for skippies. Sacrilige coming, but probably better than a 6.5x54 M-S for smaller medium game in Australia ! Ha ha ha, I've always said why have a 6mm when the 6.5mm is far better ... except if one is locked only into heavy RN 160 gr 6.5mm's ...

Nice purchase.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
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BrittanyMan
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Reged: 31/05/16
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Loc: Midwest USA
Re: Rebirthed Purdey –Mannlicher-Magazine conversion [Re: lancaster]
      #310795 - 22/01/18 06:10 AM

Given the choice, I too would prefer it was something more traditional than a .243 Winchester but that is a very nifty & functional set up & in a useful & easily obtainable caliber. Enjoy it for what it is.

I wish I owned it.

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paradox_
.375 member


Reged: 12/05/07
Posts: 645
Loc: Australia
Re: Rebirthed Purdey –Mannlicher-Magazine conversion [Re: BrittanyMan]
      #310816 - 22/01/18 06:26 PM

The fact it was rebarreled at Ferlach helps to justify its rebirth somewhat, as well as its English provenance . IT sits quite comfortably , even for a purist like me!!
Ill share my Holland & Holland 1903, when I get a chance to take some pics.

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Waidmannsheil
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Reged: 19/04/13
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Re: Rebirthed Purdey –Mannlicher-Magazine conversion [Re: paradox_]
      #310817 - 22/01/18 08:24 PM

Looking forward to seeing those.

Waidmannsheil.

--------------------
There is nothing wrong with vegetarian food, so long as there is meat with it.

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twobobbwana
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Reged: 25/11/11
Posts: 299
Loc: Queensland, Australia
Re: Rebirthed Purdey –Mannlicher-Magazine conversion [Re: Waidmannsheil]
      #310882 - 23/01/18 05:07 PM

Lovely rifle.

Some cartridge conversions can be done.

I had a hand in converting a Greek military mannlicher to .257 Roberts.

It had been rebarelled and restocked by a local "legend" but it never fed. The magazine cover wouldn't close.

After inletting the stock so the magazine cover would close. I added the "shoulder support wings" (made the part) to the magazine (had a later Mannlicher M72 ?? .270 magazine to copy from) removed the fins between the cartridges on the magazine spool (just like the later mag) relieved the rear of the magazine where the case heads fit and spotted and fit, spotted and fit.

It's not as slick to feed as a genuine Mannlicher factory sporter but it's pretty good. I need to get hold of it again and I'll do a polish which will improve it. You can load cartridges into the mag from the top. It feeds from the magazine into the chamber and will empty the magazine when the little button is pushed.

Hearing on these forums about the critical fit of the individual beds for the cartridges on the magazine spool astounds me when I recall the M72 factory mag, with no fins between the cartridges.

As an aside a mate of mine had a half stocked rifle and a full stocked carbine in .243, both factory rifles, and the calibre certainly wouldn't put me off owning either. Traditional or not.

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