doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com A little Dutch rifle

Not to cast any shade on LRF's lovely Mannlicher. The only "work" I did on this was to pull out my wallet. I don't know who did the work nor when but someone put a lot of effort into this. The stock was originally a military one. You can see the cheekpiece was added as it does not have the same 'tiger striping' as the butt. The pistol grip was added and, in hand, one can barely make out a seam in the checkering. The finger grooves were also filled in and checkered but I haven't been able to find a seam in either one.

Probably the most unusual feature is the magazine. The clip release lever in the trigger guard was changed to a 'bottom metal release' and the loaded en bloc clips are loaded in from the bottom. It's a little clumsy but the work is first rate.

Pictures (hopefully):

Hoot, you didn't and what a nice rifle.
The mag is neat, if you can take any closeups and detailed pics I would like to see them

And if you ever pull the metal out of the stock would like to see details inside. Especially the triggers

Neat little rifle, and remarkably skilled work.

Is there any sign that it was ever fitted with a scope?

If not it is a little hard to understand the rationale of inserting the clips from underneath, unless to prevent the empty clips dropping out and being lost.

LRF, give me a couple days and I'll see what I can do. We're close enough that you could examine it in person as well. Just holler.

Parabola, not that I see. No D&T side or top so I think not. I also don't understand why one would go through all the trouble, because it's considerable, "just to" load from the bottom.


Edited to add: Oh! Still in the original 6.5x53R chambering. Missed that on the original post.

Can you still load a clip in from the top?

If so the object may have been to avoid losing the empty clip on chambering the last round.

Nope. None of this was mentioned in the auction (and that's OK--maybe they didn't know). When received, I tried to load it like my other Dutchmen and no bueno. The loaded clips would insert (but not far enough) but not lock into place. The lock has been turned into a 'bottom metal latch' as opposed to the original clip latch. It's a little awkward but it's not a battle rifle anymore so five rounds will suit for my applications.

Neat rifle.
I'd guess the magazine conversion was done as a way to save the 'clip'. Though the traditional hindged door on the bottom always worked well and you see it
often on GEW88 sporters and other Mannlicher types.
Maybe the maker had thoughts of a center line 'scope mounting when building it.

I'm thinking loading this one would be easiest if you close the bolt.
Turn the rifle upside down and pop open the 'door' on the magazine.
Drop the enbloc-clip w/rounds down into the magazine.
Then close the door w/spring compressed mag follower down onto the enbloc clip and snap it shut.

Yessir, that's what I do but it is awkward in comparison to my other Dutchmen. Thanks for the compliment.

Guts for LRF...

Sorry for the focus on at least one. Holding the rifle in one hand, the camera in the other doesn't make for a good set-up.

Thanks, when I was fitting up my triggers and sear lever I hadn't thought about the 2 different heights on the trip levers on the sear lever. I have attached a pic of my setup. Now I do have good trigger pull for both when triggers are set or when using just the front trigger alone. However, next time I disassembly my rifle, I will investigate if this new information could improve my rifles trigger system.
I also noted the difference in the sear itself. My gun is from Styer 1896 and I see yours is from Hemburg 1917.