the names of the single shots that the average swiss farmer, or villager used to hunt chamois in the Bulle region of switzerland from the 40-70's? I have a distant relative that was a famous woodburner from that area, and did many pices depicting life in the area, and there were plenty that had double barrel shotguns, and several rifles in them with the game they had shot. One of the single shot looks to be similar to a martini action. they have a lot of detail and almost look like a painting( I have a few prints of his work).I would like to get as much info on the firearms as possible...thanks in advance.....Bob

The Swiss barrelled Martini actions in 10,3x60R (300 gn x 2070 ft"), a local version of the British .450/.400 BP. Could it be that ?

its not a question that I have the answer for, I am hoping someone else could come up with it....but I would hazzard a guess that, that caliber may be quite over bore for a small chamois...the shotguns were hammer guns and everything had slings mounted....bob

The Martini action was (may still be) very popular in Switzerland, but there are also a number of proprietary falling-block actions there, in Austria, and Bavaria which are made by local gunsmiths. Some, but not all of these have actions derived from the Martini. You find these chambered for a number of different cartridges, some of which would be quite suitable for Gemsbock und Rehbock schiessen!!

[ 02-15-2003, 06:12: Message edited by: eldeguello ]