doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com OT: Field Grade Dickson Magazine Rifle in .270?

Gents: My latest acquisition is a surprisingly rough, somewhat abused but still very shootable, Dickson-marked magazine rifle in .270 caliber, sporting the Frederick Street address and post-1954 London proof marks. Where can I turn to find out more about this seemingly unusual gun and whether it is worth restoration?

With the caveat that this is not an area I know a lot about, my overall impression is of a circa-1960, foreign-built rifle marketed as an entry level, utilitarian gun by a making-ends-meet firm trading on their still-great name. Although I can find no markings to suggest the rifle or action was imported, the overall quality of the gun reminds me a bit of Czech Brnos from the same period. The cartridge for which it's chambered suggests, perhaps, that it was intended for the North American market.

The "calibre," maker's name and address are all engraved in a single line along the top of the barrel, all serial numbers match on the barrel, bolt assembly and stock, and the gun appears to be all-original, except for a possible aftermarket safety. It has an island rear sight with one standing, open "V" sight and two additional leaves, marked 100, 200 and 300 yards; as well as a stippled ramp front sight with platinum bead and missing removable cover. It appears to be a Mauser-type action, and the bore is still in excellent condition.

The rifle's major, non-cosmetic flaw is that the bolt handle shaft and knob appear to have been ground flat on the upper/outer side, removing nearly half of the original steel, to provide clearance for a scope ... at least that's my best guess. A workmanlike job was done of polishing and reblueing, but it still looks odd, and I'm thinking of someday having a new handle welded on, and perhaps replacing the safety with a traditional 3-position type.

Any guidance will be much appreciated. TT

I hate to tell you this, but you should have bought Zbrojovka Brno bolt gun from this period (a pre-ZKK). These are the best bolt guns ever made, and you would have had enough $ left over to put top shelf scope on one. I feel to many on this board get suckered into buying big name guns which in many cases tends to be a big mistake. What is use of stupid 300 yrd leaf sight?

PS....
Here is a gem from Salzburg Austria just in case you don't go for stuff from behing the "Iron Curtain"....
Many folks don't like separate bolt head, split receiver (makes scope mounting a bitch), and piano playing fingers bolt handle reach. Me thinks neat plate release and finger recocking capability makes up for that. Kinda neato if you ask me.

Jagermeister: Many beautiful rifles out there, and I too admire those old Brnos. You imply that I got "suckered" by a big name and spent a lot of money ... been there and done that, but it was a long time ago. In this case, I spent little and can't get hurt too bad. Any information on this gun will be gratefully received. Thanks. TT

Jaegermeister,
What's stupid about a 300 yard sight? Sure, most would prefer to use a scope at that range, but your question implies that a target can't be hit it that range using iron sights. I beg to differ.

TT, It's tough to tell with out looking at the rifle obviously, but in my limited experience with Brit magazine rifles I can tell you that just becasue something looks a little "off" doesn't mean it's aftermarket. The UK produces the prettiest shotguns on the planet, but they seem to have focused a lot less on asthetics with some of their bolt guns. Additionally, we've all seen or heard of what some of the less informed have done to fine guns to make them "shootable". Someone on this very board found a high grade Lindner that had been chopped down for cowboy action shooting. Go figure. With your Dickson, rest assured that the quality is there. If you bought it right then you can put a little money into it to make it right and still be ahead of the game.

The first guy to bounce this off of would be Michael Petrov. He's on the board. He can at least set you on the path.

Best

Nick

Thanks, Nick. I had a PM out there for Michael P. I hope he and others will weigh in. TT

If there are no "foreign" proof marks on it (Czech, Belgian, Austrian, German) then it's probably a BSA action. Pictures would tell the tale. DeHaas has a write up of the BSA in his bolt action books, and I can't remember if they're in Olsen's bolt books or not.

Sorry I received no "PM".

I'm not the most knowledgeable on post-war sporting rifle. As Steve pointed out if there are not foreign proofs then it might have been a UK made action. Pictures would be a BIG help for everyone, if you can't post them send them to me and I'll post them for you.

John Dickson & Son
Phone
+44 (0) 131 225 4218
Website
http://www.gunandline.com

21 Frederick Street
New Town
Edinburgh

I can't get their website to work. Might call or write them for info on your rifle.

Hi, guys. I finally found my rifle's brother on the Web. Here's the link, if it works:

http://www.londongunroom.com/firearms.htm

Mine is not this clean, and has the bolt modification described above. But then, I also paid about half this price. In all, an interesting shooter for rainy days, I guess ... and the only Dickson in my gunsafe! TT