A fellow AR member was kind enough to lend an original Oberdorf Type M bolt, so another AR member gunmaker can make and install a copy for me. I'm gauging interest in folks getting in on a run of these. While these don't seem to be a hot commodity, I've been looking for one for several years now, with no luck, so picking up a few doesn't sound like a bad idea to me. If a run is done, it will be at least several months before its undertaken. Anybody interested?

IMHO, Why?

Why not. Folks still like spoon or butter knife handles. If people were only interested in factory rifles, there wouldn't be much for for custom gun builders.

Demand for these is almost non existent. For the occasional one needed, not too hard to make it up out of bar stock

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Kobe:
IMHO, Why?

Different strokes for different folks! Like I said, not a hot commodity, but some very odd people, such as myself, like them very much.

I have made and welded on many over the years. I never could quite see the point of them and for my own use they hurt my widdle hand when I try to operate them quickly. But, the customer is always right. Even if he's really, REALLY, R E A L L Y wrong.

quote:

Originally posted by speerchucker30x378:
I have made and welded on many over the years... But, the customer is always right. Even if he's really, REALLY, R E A L L Y wrong.

Exactly!!! Weve established that some people like them, and some folks hate them (which has always been the case anyway). Now, who wants one, or a few!

quote:

Originally posted by Duane Wiebe (CG&R):
For the occasional one needed, not too hard to make it up out of bar stock

Yes, but how many folks have access to an original Oberndorf bolt, so that it's made very close to the factory original. This may not matter to some folks, but it matters to me, and perhaps, to others as well.

No thanks. I only like the BRNO type, the Mauser ones don't look as good. I do get calls for them, about three a year.

quote:

Originally posted by z1r:
Why not. Folks still like spoon or butter knife handles. If people were only interested in factory rifles, there wouldn't be much for for custom gun builders.

So, are you saying you might be interested in a few (wink, wink, nod, nod)?

quote:

Originally posted by dpcd:
No thanks. I only like the BRNO type, the Mauser ones don't look as good. I do get calls for them, about three a year.

Maybe I'm an Oberndorf Mauser and Mannlicher Schoenauer snob, but I hate the BRNO type handle. Spoon handles may hurt Rod's widdle hand, but, with all due respect to your opinion, BRNO handles hurt my eyes!

quote:

Originally posted by ColoradoMatt:

quote:

Originally posted by z1r:
Why not. Folks still like spoon or butter knife handles. If people were only interested in factory rifles, there wouldn't be much for for custom gun builders.

So, are you saying you might be interested in a few (wink, wink, nod, nod)?

Put me down for NONE, sorry.

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Kobe:

quote:

Originally posted by ColoradoMatt:

quote:

Originally posted by z1r:
Why not. Folks still like spoon or butter knife handles. If people were only interested in factory rifles, there wouldn't be much for for custom gun builders.

So, are you saying you might be interested in a few (wink, wink, nod, nod)?

Put me down for NONE, sorry.

No problem, figured that out from your first post . The winky winky comment was directed at mike.

ColoradoMatt, judging from your interest in pre-selling them, you seem to be far to hung up on the logic of the time expended and the return on the project. That's not what it's all about. You're making them because you got a bug up your ass and you can't let it alone. One way or another, you're gonna get your finger stinky fishing it out. Do what I do with muzzle brakes and other stuff I make.

Run off a half dozen and justify it by calling yourself a collector. LOL

Gunsmith Rod Henrickson Brakes by Rod Henrickson, on Flickr

Well...guess you found out about the level of interest anyway.

quote:

Originally posted by speerchucker30x378:
ColoradoMatt, judging from your interest in pre-selling them, you seem to be far to hung up on the logic of the time expended and the return on the project. That's not what it's all about. You're making them because you got a bug up your ass and you can't let it alone. One way or another, you're gonna get your finger stinky fishing it out. Do what I do with muzzle brakes and other stuff I make.

Run off a half dozen and justify it by calling yourself a collector. LOL

I have nothing to gain, financially, from this. I traded a nice action for a few bolt handle jobs that included a spoon handle, if I could get hold of an Oberndorf to copy, as that's the only spoon I like (and I've wanted to build a reasonably close copy of a Type M for years). I mentioned all this to another gunmaker friend I know, and we both thought that a run of these would be nice for the custom trade, as a commercial source hasn't been available for several years now. I talked to the fellow doing my handle and he said he might consider doing a run. Didn't know such an inquiry on AR would ruffle anyone's feathers, or make insults fly. Oh, well, that's the Internet for ya.

As for having a bug up my ass, I have a colony of rare German Rhinocerous beatles, with Mauser banners on their backs, permanently living in my colorectal tract. Years ago, I tried fishing them out, but I guess my bung hole is just too tight!

quote:

Originally posted by Duane Wiebe (CG&R):
Well...guess you found out about the level of interest anyway.

I found out the folks who are disinterested, that's for sure!

Spoon is my favorite utensil

LOL

I don't think anyone's really ruffled, insulted or insulting. Everyone seems interested in the project, but they just don't know what they would do with them after the project is complete.

I think you will find that people only show genuine interest when they actually need something. When they do need it, and can't get it, then it's always a big panic and they can't understand for the life of them why no one has one. I would make the fawkers anyway and piece them out one at a time. (as long as it doesn't run into a lot of money) I have made runs of a lot of oddball stuff and it all eventually sells. 8 months from now, some goof will remember reading here that someone was gonna make a run of them and there you will be holding a basket of them with an evil grin and an invoice that would choke a mule. But they will have to buy it because you're the only one that has it. If memory serves someone was inquiring about one on this forum a year or so ago.

Damn the current interest and make em anyway.

quote:

Originally posted by speerchucker30x378:
If memory serves someone was inquiring about one on this forum a year or so ago.

Damn the current interest and make em anyway.

There's a strong chance it was me.

quote:

Originally posted by richj:
Spoon is my favorite utensil

Nice!

An opinion about ANYTHING will start a fight in a phone booth.

Make up a couple dozen...when I need one or someone needs one I'll know where to send them.

quote:

Originally posted by Duane Wiebe (CG&R):
An opinion about ANYTHING will start a fight in a phone booth.

To further that Duane:

An opinion on an internet gun forum is much like setting 5 women and 5 men at a table, filling them full of whiskey and saying:
SO WHO DO YOU THINK IS GOING TO WIN THE FEDERAL ELECTION ? ! ? ! ?

The only difference is that, no one gets physically hurt and nothing gets busted on internet gun forums.

quote:

Originally posted by srtrax:
Make up a couple dozen...when I need one or someone needs one I'll know where to send them.

I imagine that is what will happen.

I got one about 10 years ago from Brownells for my 6.5X54MS Greek conversion

I don't know why the Europeans like them. I like a smooth bolt knob, no flat bottom, no Checkering. I can operate a bolt fastest with that design. I do like a straight handle best, also for ergonomics.

quote:

Originally posted by Nakihunter:
I got one about 10 years ago from Brownells for my 6.5X54MS Greek conversion

That must have been just before brownells quite offering them. They offered two or three shapes including the BRNO, OBerndorf, and perhaps one other Mannlicher style handle. The were made by Meier Works.

What would be the cost?

quote:

Originally posted by LongDistanceOperator:
What would be the cost?

Don't know yet.

I would likely buy 1-3.

quote:

Originally posted by Vol717:
I don't know why the Europeans like them.

They are not exactly common on modern European guns anymore, so I would not really say Europeans like them all that much...

quote:

Originally posted by LongDistanceOperator:
What would be the cost?

quote:

Originally posted by skl1:
I would likely buy 1-3.

I will let all interested parties know about cost and availability as soon as I know. Getting these made is not a top priority for the maker, as he is busy filling current orders. At this point, he's not entirely sure if he is even going to do a run, but if enough folks are interested, that would certainly influence that decision. Thanks

I see no advantage to this type give me an regular bolt handle any time.

Just because some thing is old does not make it better.

quote:

Originally posted by p dog shooter:
I see no advantage to this type give me an regular bolt handle any time.

Just because some thing is old does not make it better.

Thanks for adding your opinion, p.d.shooter. My own personal reason for having this handle design reproduced has absolutely nothing to do with a notion of it being old or better. Nor have I, or anyone else on this thread, made such an assertion. From a practical standpoint, I happen to think the model 70 style handle shape and angle is about the most ideal for efficient bolt manipulation. My reason for having this handle made is largely aesthetic, which, for me, is reason enough. My favorite handle for open sight guns is the standard commercial Oberndorf, again, partly for aesthetics.

I always liked the look of the spoon bolt handle but they do hurt my hand when cycling the bolt. This was my first and it will be my last rifle with a spoon bolt handle. I still like the look.

Nice! Can you tell us more about that rifle?

It's a Christoph Funk Pre-War engraved Mauser sporter in 6.5 x 68 Schuler. I purchased it from Champlin Firearms several years ago. It didn't have the scope or rings so I had JJ install a new set of rings and the Zeiss scope.

quote:

Originally posted by JV:

quote:

Originally posted by Vol717:
I don't know why the Europeans like them.

They are not exactly common on modern European guns anymore, so I would not really say Europeans like them all that much...

Voere is the only company I know of that offers a current rifle with a Mannlicher bolt. Merkel did for a while, but most of the newer rifles don't have it.

quote:

Originally posted by ColoradoMatt:

quote:

Originally posted by p dog shooter:
I see no advantage to this type give me an regular bolt handle any time.

Just because some thing is old does not make it better.

Thanks for adding your opinion, p.d.shooter. My own personal reason for having this handle design reproduced has absolutely nothing to do with a notion of it being old or better. Nor have I, or anyone else on this thread, made such an assertion. From a practical standpoint, I happen to think the model 70 style handle shape and angle is about the most ideal for efficient bolt manipulation. My reason for having this handle made is largely aesthetic, which, for me, is reason enough. My favorite handle for open sight guns is the standard commercial Oberndorf, again, partly for aesthetics.

I concur with that logic, Darrel Holland makes a really nice M70/tactical bolt handle for replaceing the one on the m700 Rem. It is wonderful.