I've read that Vickers made Mauser 98 rifles in 404 Jeffery in the olden days. Supposedly several African countries purchased them for their game departments. While these rifles are mentioned in several article on the 404 Jeff, I've never seen a picture of one, or heard of anyone active on the gun boards I haunt owning one. Anyone out there own one, or have pics of one? I would love to see one of these old war horses. Does anyone have more detailed info about their history? I assume that they were a less expensive alternative to W.J. Jeffery's offerings.

There is an old 404 Jeff for sale at Steve Barnett's right now. It has no maker name on it anywhere. I think the barrel may have either been replace or set back at one point, because the sides of the front ring look like they were put in an unpadded vice and the short barrel shank looks like someone used a pipe wrench on it. It's a pretty cool old rifle. Thanks for any info you might have.