They have one at the pawn shop, I don't know anything about these, but it's cock on close, which I don't really care for. It's also chambered in 7x57, which I have always wanted. So what are they worth in surplus condition, and are they any good for sporterizing or customizing? Can they be converted to Cock on open fairly easily? I think that I would try and keep it in 7x57. I have never warmed up to the stock style, no protruding grip, but it would probably end up as firewood anyway, all I want is the barrelled action.

You can really have a ball sporterizing one. The straight stock isn't all bad and usually the wood on those will refurbish nicely.The cock on closing is not a real hinderance as it will aid on extraction and ejection.The British military thought so.Your first shot is the one that matters any way. If it is in useable shape and not over priced I for one would go for it. With the ecconomy doing its thing you are going to see a lot of closet rifles. In fact it's already started.. roger

quote:

Originally posted by Rub Line:
They have one at the pawn shop, I don't know anything about these, but it's cock on close, which I don't really care for. It's also chambered in 7x57, which I have always wanted. So what are they worth in surplus condition, and are they any good for sporterizing or customizing? Can they be converted to Cock on open fairly easily? I think that I would try and keep it in 7x57. I have never warmed up to the stock style, no protruding grip, but it would probably end up as firewood anyway, all I want is the barrelled action.

Be your own judge.....I'd let someone else have it....

There are (or at least was) some VZ-24 rifles in 7 X 57 for around $150 on the milsurp sites.....a far more worthy place to start.

The Chileans were of high quality and workmanship. If the gun is in original good or better condition it is worth far more as a collectors piece than a donor. If it has been altered and is in good condition $150 would be a good price. It would make a fine 7x57 sporter. There is plenty of aftermarket wood for it.

They are a small ring, small barrel thread action. The '95 has no gas relief holes in the receiver or bolt and no gas shield on the bolt shroud like a M98. Although these can be added by a gunsmith. There is a safety lug on the rear tang behind the bolt root. They cock on close, but after hunting with both types, I think it is superior to COO once you become familiar with it. To me it is faster, and requires less effort. Much easier to work the bolt from the shoulder if you need a f/u shot. I think they make a much sleeker looking rifle than a '98. Plenty of aftermarket do-dads available just like the 98's too.

I like 'em, and have built several fairly nice rifles on the actions after suitable alterations. I've found the original barrels to be quite accurate with the Hornady 154-gr spire point, have killed several deer with it. Other bullets may also prove accurate, as they also have in my rifles, but so far at least the Hornady has a 100% success rate, it has shot very well in ALL military 7x57s I've tried. Not necessarily the commercials, just the militaries. My first thought was that apparently it's either the twist rate or the throating but I don't question success.

Can easily be altered to upcock, can even have a complete 98 bolt fitted if you shell out the shekels. Several types of triggers and hinged bottom metal are available. Like any other action there are dogs and there are thoroughbreds, mostly depends on the smith.

The ones made by Ludwig Loewe are antiques under the law and so no FFL or 4473 is usually required to comply with federal law, a lot depends upon the particular dealer.
Regards, Joe

Here is a good bit of info.
I have one I was going to sell but the price was too high.
It shoots wonderfully with the military barrel and a simple Boyds stock.
Frank

http://randyrick.us/AustrianFirearms/rm1912.htm

quote:

Originally posted by Frank Martinez:
Here is a good bit of info.
I have one I was going to sell but the price was too high.
It shoots wonderfully with the military barrel and a simple Boyds stock.
Frank

http://randyrick.us/AustrianFirearms/rm1912.htm

Wrong action. That's the Austrian Steyr 1912 M98 Mauser. The 1895 is a small ring made by Lowe, Berlin.

My error. Try this http://www.gunbroker.com/Aucti....aspx?Item=182917851
Frank

I like them too. Got 3 or 4 around here.

The Loewe made are pre 99 so can classify as an antique.

You didnt say if it was sporterized or not.

Like Bobster said, 150 +/- max for a cut one, if all is in good condition.

You can leave it in the original 7x57, nothing wrong with that round.

I agree, its a quality made rifle and the COC is not a hinderance, just not overly popular in this country.

They're very nice; the first gun I bought all by myself was one of these from Century Arms- I was fifteen, I think the old man had to sign for it when the MAILMAN DROPPED IT OFF

Made by Loew, it had some marks on the stock/handguard that were made by the checkered rear sight slides of the its neighbors wherever it had been stored for who knows how long.

Beautiful metal, and accurate. I had the proper bayonet for it from an earlier excursion with my father to Clark's Guns in Virginia.

1967/$39.95

I think one in the same shape now brings $800 or so.

How many mowed yards did it take to earn 39.95?

I mowed yards all summer at .50 a yard a couple of years after that to get $45 for an 09 Argie
Worked my azz off. Got the rifle cause the carbine was $5 more.

quote:

How many mowed yards did it take to earn 39.95?

-summer job as a chip boy in a machine shop.