doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com Classic Varmint Rifles

Hello Folks

I am in need of some "education" (my father would say that I need a LOT more education across a very wide range of issues !!).

In my parts inventory I have a Mauser "intermediate" action from a 1910 Model B sporter.

A possible "plan" for this action is to make up a rifle that loosely resembles what I see referred to (in today�s terms) as a "walking or carry about" varmint rifle.

It would be great to honour the origin of this action (dated 1910) with a build that reflected the style of that period or something close to it.

Could you folk help me out with photo�s or references ( I can interloan books) of rifles that you think might help me form a view of what a high class bolt action rifle of this genre from the period 1910 to about 1930 was like.

Since you are planning a varmint rifle, it almost has to be scoped, so you need to decide whether or not you want to alter the original bolt to accomodate a scope.

If you should decide to go with a period scope, such as Lyman, Unertl or Fecker with external adjustments, you would not need to alter the bolt, so that choice might be a good one to consider.

You could also avoid drilling and tapping the action, since putting both bases on the barrel is an option, although you might have difficulty obtaining the ring spacing required for 1/4" clicks if you take that option, unless you choose a scope with an exceptionally long tube, such as a Lyman Targetspot, Unertl 1 1/4", or Fecker 1 1/8" scope. If you don't mind drilling and tapping the action, a Unertl or Fecker Small Game scope or a Fecker Woodchucker would be good choices.

You would also want to use a stock with a higher than usual comb to accomodate the height of the scope tube. This Griffin & Howe stocked Model B might give you some ideas about stock design:

Thanks xausa - In the meantime I have thought of a clearer way of expressing what I'm thinking of - the French have an expression something like "esprit retro" meaning generally "in the spirit of the past".

So I am not seeking to "duplicate" a period rifle, rather acknowledge it.

The Photo you have posted is exactly the sort of inspiration I can learn from and take forward.

Michael Petrov's book "Custom Gunmakers of the 20th Century" shows many examples from that era.

The "Guns and Gunning" 1934 by Captain Paul A. Curtis deals with many custom rifles of that era- especially R.G. Owen's masterpieces-

German or American styling? That's the big question. For German work, the best place is all the multiple online auction houses/Gunbroker, etc. There is also a German rifle collector's site on this website you're looking at.

For American rifles, you need to start with these photos here:
http://finegunmaking.com/page33/page26/page26.html
and then branch out from there.

To me, a "walking around rifle" denotes quick shots being taken up close. Were it me, I would opt for a set of quality sights and fore-go the scope, keeping it trim and nicely balanced.

And a more open pistol grip than the example pictured. I would go with the general layout of a European "stalking rifle" with a bolt action. Slim, trim, with an unfashionably long light barrel. Unlikely to be a bench rest accurate rifle, but a game killer that is easy on the arm and easy on the eyes.

But what caliber? Retro-wildcat? Plain vanilla like a .243? In between (.250-3000, .257)?

To me, the term 'walking varminter' implies the ability to take small-to-medium game and varmints out to perhaps 350 yds while at the same time remaining light enough in weight to be comfortable to carry for several miles.

If you want to shoot deer or small game at close range then iron sights are fine, but if you want to shoot varmints then the accuracy and sighting requirement levels rise dramatically. A scope of 6x is perfectly adequate for shooting out to 350 yds on objects even as small as crows, while iron sights won't do much good on a crow at much beyond 90-100 yds.

Scope mounting is a problem with any period rifle having any monetary value or charisma, and the Kurz has an abundance of both. I agree with the previous poster who suggested a Unertl or Lyman external-adjustment scope with the bases mounted on the barrel, unless the receiver has already had some sort of mount installed or provisions for one such as a square bridge. A side-mounted offset scope a la Krag or levergun would also possibly eliminate the need to alter the bolt.

I personally would choose (for a Kurz Mauser walking varminter) a relatively short-&-light barrel, say about 24" with a muzzle dia of 0.600" or less, and in some sort of period chambering such as the 6x57 Mauser or 22 Newton or similar.

Sling swivels are a MUST on any rifle intended to be carried for any distance at all (except for a DGR of course), especially in hilly country. Also a leather-covered or rubber butt pad is desirable to prevent slippage.

I personally like DSTs for use in the field. Yes they're slightly less accurate from the bench but it's been my experience that they perform better on (non-DGR) game than the typical single-stage trigger, due to the shooter's much-improved letoff timing.
Regards, Joe

I did this very thing a few years ago using an FN single shot action as the basis for a classic 22-250 varmint rifle. I tried to stay retro, but as I got deeper into the project, some of the "period" influences were eschewed for more practical or elegant features. It turned out to be the best piece I own. I'm glad to send you some pictures of the finished work as I don't subscribe to a host site. Perhaps the finished work will inspire you in your efforts.