doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Really need help with ID of rifle

Thanks for reference on proofs, I didn't not see the "c" with crown that is beside the "R". Any idea what that may mean?

The "C" is actually a "G" for solid projectile. Looks closely on the underside of the tubes up to the forend pin and there may be some initials of some sort.

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

ugadeer,
A crown R is a "repair"proof and means it had some significant work done(doesn't specify what).By the way, the 9.3s I have seen with the bore marked as 118/35 usually had a groove diameter of around .358-.359". This makes 35 Rem. bullets useable(verify by slugging the bore).Rifles chambered for 9x58 1/2R S&S may also show 118/35 as bore diameter.A chamber cast will be necessary to precisely ID the caliber.
Mike

thanks mike, as i said my dad and grandfather have been shooting 38-55 ammo in it for 30 years (likely less than 200 rnds in that time frame), i guess the next time i get down there i'll take it to my smith for a chamber casting, i just can't believe that there is no sign of who actually manufactured the rifle on it

Since you have been firing .38-55 cartridges in this gun, I'd assume you might have some fired cases which would have fire-formed to the chamber sizes. These should be as good as a chamber cast to take measurements and positively I.D. what cartridge your gun is chambered for. I'd still slug the bore to verify groove diameter.

38-55 bore diameters were all over the place from manufacturer to manufacturer and it is always advised to slug the bore FIRST before you shoot anything in a 38-55, especially a European 38-55..........To compound the chambering issues, 38-55's were made in two length cartridges and shooting the correct length cartridge, i.e. brass case, is more inportant than a couple thou in bullet diameter........

38-55's were made with case lengths and chambered for 2.125" at first, for MOST early guns, BUT the ammunition and guns were also made, and still are, with a case length chambering of 2.085" or a little over as standardized by SAAMI.......significant difference between the two. You will find both chamberings in various guns as with the varying bore diameter.

Many of the modern factory ammo case lengths are 2.085" and are the shorter case lengths as dictated by SAAMI......suggest you measure what you have before you shoot the gun any more. New brass is available in both lengths for reloading to the correct chamber size.

If the rifle is chambered for 9.3x72R(or even 9.3x57R or 9x58 1/2R S&S),a fireformed original length 38-55 case is not long enougth to use in place of a chamber cast.The new short 38-55 cases are the same as 30-30/32 Win.Spec cases, for ease in loading 38-55 ammo.
Mike

Note also the 9.3 mm cartridges were made in a varying number of lengths. from even shorter than the .38-55 case to more than 3" as I recall. The 9.3x72R is the most commonly seen. 72mm converts to 2.835" so a great deal longer than a .38-55.