Okay you double rifle gods, I need to identify this rifle that came into a friend of mine. It's chambered in 8 x 57J. It's of German dissent. Please help me figure out what this thing is so I can find out what this things works.

It looks like you'd push the underlever forward to open it. Interesting set up.

That's an odd duck, eh?

quote:

Originally posted by Mike Brooks:
It looks like you'd push the underlever forward to open it. Interesting set up.

It swings! I'm hoping Cal knows!

I bet you'll have better luck at the doublegunshop.com forum. They like German oddities!

Unique for sure! I've seen similar designs before. I may have a book that has several in it, I'll see what I can find.

Friedrich Stendebach...I presume.

Yep, Stenda Werke Underlever Snap Action from Germany back in the day.

quote:

Originally posted by Alaskaman11:
Okay you double rifle gods, I need to identify this rifle that came into a friend of mine. It's chambered in 8 x 57J. It's of German dissent. Please help me figure out what this thing is so I can find out what this things works.

Alaskaman11, is the rifle chambered for 8X47JR {.318}or JS {.323}? This could help to age the rifle.

As a rule most German made doubles are very well regulated, and most designs are overly strong. The designs are aimed at strength and efficiency, but there seems to be no effort to make them pretty, at least to the non-Germanic eye!

I would bet this rifle is very strong, and with proper loads very accurate! I have owned many German made firearms and have never had one that didn't work perfectly, regardless of their looks!

I would love to experiment with that rifle, and really study it's make up!

Please tell your friend to try to avoid modifying this rifle in any way, because it is a fine example of fitting and design.

..................................................................

It must have markings on the frame and under the barrels. German DRs are well regulated? Not the 1924 Greifelt that I once owned in the 80s. It would not put two barrels within a foot of one another.

quote:

Originally posted by dpcd:
It must have markings on the frame and under the barrels. German DRs are well regulated? Not the 1924 Greifelt that I once owned in the 80s. It would not put two barrels within a foot of one another.

If that rifle was very old that is common, because the old loads they were regulated with developed more or less recoil and velocity than any new load book would indicated. The original powder, and primers being far different than any modern powder it takes a lot of experimentation to find the right powder, load, and bullet weight and shape that works.

Many give up in frustration, before they find the sweet spot. Of course it could be that some PLUMBER who thought he was a gunsmith tried to re-regulate it. In that case the only fix is to re-regulate it properly.

This is not only on vantage German doubles, and applies equally to fine English doubles as well.

About the only vintage German doubles in the USA were brought back from WWII as war souvenirs, and most of the GIs who brought them back had absolutely no idea what they were chambered for, and many have had the barrels reamed out, and chambered for shot gun shells, turning fine double rifles to mediocre shotguns. What a waste.

quote:

Originally posted by MacD37:

quote:

Originally posted by Alaskaman11:
Okay you double rifle gods, I need to identify this rifle that came into a friend of mine. It's chambered in 8 x 57J. It's of German dissent. Please help me figure out what this thing is so I can find out what this things works.

Alaskaman11, is the rifle chambered for 8X47JR {.318}or JS {.323}? This could help to age the rifle.

As a rule most German made doubles are very well regulated, and most designs are overly strong. The designs are aimed at strength and efficiency, but there seems to be no effort to make them pretty, at least to the non-Germanic eye!

I would bet this rifle is very strong, and with proper loads very accurate! I have owned many German made firearms and have never had one that didn't work perfectly, regardless of their looks!

I would love to experiment with that rifle, and really study it's make up!

Please tell your friend to try to avoid modifying this rifle in any way, because it is a fine example of fitting and design.

..................................................................

It's a 8x57 JS, I stopped off and took a look today!

Too bad!
I've got almost a full case of 8X57 JR here.

Rifle was made by Stendebach. A mate has one in 8x57r.
Cal

quote:

Originally posted by cal pappas:
Rifle was made by Stendebach. A mate has one in 8x57r.
Cal

What years were they produced?

quote:

Originally posted by Mike Brooks:
Too bad!
I've got almost a full case of 8X57 JR here.

What brand is the ammo, and are you interested in selling it?

Your PM is answered Mac.

There is an article in the Double Gun Journal winter 2001, volume twelve, issue 4. "Two Unusual German Double Rifles" by Fredich Franzen. The article shows 2 diffent guns with one using the Stendebach system & may be of great help in your identification & history.

m4220

Something new today on this unusual rifle, it turns out, its not 8x57, its chambered in 303 British. Its now for sale at Great Northern Guns. We think its made between 1905 to 1914. I think its a real cool Rifle.