I once was a Mauser man...custom built by the late Highsmith of Memphis built in the year of 1955, same year I was born.
Upon holding it in the late 1970's having not seen it since he built it Highsmith's eyes lit...and he mumbled "Built that gun in 1955 for a fellow going to Africa as a light rifle". Judging from the blue wear it had been drug part of the way
"Winchester test barrel"...never did know for sure what that meant. The gun was not marked by Hy Smith but look and quality and a little of the story that followed the gun and Mr. M.V. Highsmith verified it.
I actually ran into the gun two times before I bought it....first time at a gun shop or gun show in Memphis Tn. a year or so later a second time at a Pawn style West Memphis Ark. gun shop on the other bank of the Mississippi river and coughed up the $165 dollar asking price.
1939 Nazi marked action. 24" Winchester test barrel (per HighSmith) Dahl ramped front sight Lyman 48 rear sitting below a quick detach Griffin and Howe side mount. I topped it with a 1x4 Leupold scope.
I once shot a one hole 10 shot 100 yard group that barely went over 1".
It was a stalk deer hunters dream and a running deer's night mare.
I later had the Nazi markings removed metal refinished. Being built in 1939 I often wondered how many people it killed before the gun was liberated.
I grew older lost big timber to hunt and was forced into deer stands along fields...lost interest in deer hunting and sold the gun.
