three or so years ago.
It was 'stocked and sighted' by an English 'name'.....on a Steyr action. Some loads were mentioned by R.S., as well as the usual history and hunting experience -- Rocky Mountain elk, of course. ;~`).
Thanks to all, for the very nice info and photos posted here, of one of the unsung and unheralded staple calibers of the Late Colonial Umpiahs. That 160gr is a flying drill bit for sectional density.
The bore vs bullet size is new to me, and I'll be posting this URL off to a few other 6.5x53R Dutch Romanian admirers, who may have something to add from their own experiences. One of my six-gunning friends has a simple sporto'd Dutchie Mannlicher in this caliber. It's a hoot to shoot, with very pleasant manners. Reminds me of touching off an over-sized spring air gun, in it's recoil characteristics.
I have read, once, that there is some speculation that WDM Bell's beloved and ultra-light special-order "mannlicher" was not the rotary magazine, classic full stock carbine, but a 6.5X53R Steyr similar to the one's posted here. And, no, I haven't been able to remember that citation, but I couldn't have been the only one to have read it. Hope someday, I'll be re-enlightened by someone with a better mental card file than mine.
The very few assorted 'sighted and stocked' 6.5X53R sporting Lee-Enfields, Lee-Speeds, as well as the more spartan Army-Navy Store issue, that I have examined are out of the same style stables as their Steyr brethern, tho I have never seen DST's on an Enfield!! ;~`)
Lastly, a poster on the SSM BBS who had done commercial game shooting in Australia, owned a custom 6.5-by built on a No. 1 action, here in the states. He was impressed by the ruggedness of the Enfield he used for meat hunting, and had shot the caliber. He thot very highly of the combo as a practical game rifle.
In one of my old hunting books, a Canadian trapper is pictured with his faithful sporting Styer, a .30 Luger in a full military holster, a Hudson's Bay Axe thrust thru the pistol belt, and a very light pack -- in midwinter. He had been the outdoor mentor of the writer, and was the epitome of living lightly on the land.
Next time you spot a 'bubba'd' milsurp No. 1, whilst strolling a gunshow, think of owning y'r own new African magazine rifle. It could start a whole new relatively inexpensive trend, once someone is set up with reamers and good bbls. A classic Brit stock design, some decent sights, and there'll be a WDM Bell 6.5 match at the Vintagers.
Look forward to further info from the users of these interesting guns.
ADDENDUM: from the Enfield collector's board --a gunsmith who does re barreling on Enfield's. Not all 'smith's want to bother with them, for a variety of reasons, including prejudicial ignorance. D & D Gunsmiths of Troy, Michigan. Will be checking them out.
Last edited by JohnM; 07/08/08 11:11 AM.
