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I recently returned from deployment and finally picked up a drop bolt single shot I purchased while gone from my FFL

It was advertised as a German Rifle in 32 Winchester Special











I believe it is Belgian sourced based on the proof, if German at all.

The engraving is better when seen in person as the close ups make it feel comic like and it is not when properly viewed.

I assume it was rechambered in 32 Win Spc as the stamping of the cartridge on the side of the barrel is crude. The original may have been a 8mm variant of sorts,

I am trying to figure out who might of made it and what the actual action patent is?

I am also trying to find out how the lever on the side of the action is supposed to function. I thought it a safety in in one position it appears to lock the bolt closed and in another allows the front trigger to shot, but I have not figured out how to activated the rare trigger.


It is a sweet little rifle.

Open to opinions and suggestions

Sweet is the operative word here; that it is. An over all picture would be nice so we could see how the front end was handled. If I was to wager, I would say it was probably originally an 8.15x46R. This was a popular schuetzen and stalking rifle cartridge. The folks over on ASSR recommend using 32-40 load data. I would slug the bore and do a chamber cast so you can be certain. You might want to cross post this in the German Gun section of this site. Those folks are equally helpful and will probably want some clear pictures of the marks to decipher them for you.

Nice looking little gun, I bet it would be a pleasure to carry after whitetail in the woods.
Thaine

Thaine has you started down the right path. A couple of overall pictures would help. One photo showing the action open and another photo so that we can see the sights, if present. A photo of the upper surface of the upper tang will show us if it had a tang sight.

Looks to me to be some sort of Martini variant. It is a double set trigger action. The rear trigger "sets" the front, making the trigger pull (front) very light.

Yes, slug the bore as those dimensions vary widely. A chamber cast will tell you what has been done. Most of those rifles use some variant of a .30-30 or .32 Winchester Special case. Lead alloy bullets only.

I find the engraving immensely attractive. What I can see of the proofs (ELG) are Belgian. The fantastical beast and folate engraving might suggest a French/Belgian influence.

Why lead alloy only?

Chamber cast done and it is 32 WIn SPC.

Bore slug at muzzle .320

I will post some pictures tomorrow of entire gun and sights

A very handsome rifle. I love the engraving, especially the bird dog dragon. It is delightfully whimsical.

Jerry Liles

I believe the rifle was marketed in Germany. There is no mistakeing the Belgian proofs, but it has a Bavarian cheekpiece which screams German market.
Mike

At one time the .32 Win Spcl. was somewhat popular in France, or at least they made a number of rifles for it. Those are the only in that caliber that I've seen made outside the US. So I'd guess a Belgian-made rifle for a French customer. (My guess may well NOT be as good as yours....).

But it does look kinda Germanic and the Germans and Austrians DID love them a Martini!

Double post: sorry!

Why lead bullets? Many rifles built along those lines have relatively soft steel barrels. With lead alloy bullets, you can shoot a lot and wear will be nil. That may not be the case with jacketed bullets. There are several score of different bullets & bullet moulds available.