I realize this is off topic here but I've been unable to find anyone with any info on a German maker named Kohle. In the process of buying this rifle in 30-06 with a 23" or 24" bbl, schnable fe, bbl-mounted sling swivel, oil finish stk, open sights, horn grip cap and butt plate and what looks like a horn (?) fore-end tip. Gun is fairly light (guess = 7.5 lb), "feels" right and has the classic grace of a German gun of somewhere around 1930s to 1950s--I'm guessing here. I assume it's pre-WWII. The gun has wear on blueing and some rub marks on stock to the extent that would be considered normal for its age. Also, there is a longitudinal crack in the fore-end tip that looks like it might have been caused by desiccation (sp) but seems readily repairable. Seller is asking $775.

Anybody out there who might know anything at all about this maker or German makers of this period in general? Went to ShootingWorld but so far, no responses.

Any help much appreciated.

Adley

I have not heard of the maker but that means little. The 30-06 is not a normal caliber for German made sporting rifles. Is it marked 30-06 , does it have a proof date? The gunsmiths of Germany and Austria were not allowed to work on any firearms for others than the allied personal to about 1952. Many gunmakers who had never made a rifle were making them and some are not as well made as they could have been. Can you tell if the action is a military or commercial one? A picture might help, if you cannot post, send one to mjpetrov@acsalaska.net and I’ll see if it tells me anything.

MP,
Thanks for writing. Although I've owned a number of American-made bolt action rifles, I've no experience with European guns and, so, was glad to see someone respond.
Gun is not in house right now. I have it on hold at a retail shop and will be going there tomorrow or next day to put a deposit on it, so your questions come at a good time since I can now look for the answers when I get there. It is marked "30-06" on the bbl. Neglected to note the proof date but will make it a point to get it then. Is there any particular place on the rifle where it's apt to be found? Also, am not sure whether it's a commercial action or a military one. Again, how would I tell?
It probably bears mentioning that the safety is of the Greener type--i.e., a knurled slide button located on the left face of the stock just below the receiver and within thumbs reach for a right-handed shooter. That and other indications of the obvious attention to detail on some of the finer points make me think that gun came out of an established maker's shop. Also, as I mentioned above, one of the salesmen at the shop--someone whom I know to be pretty knowledgeable in fine guns--recognized the name, Kohle, and said it was good maker.
When I go, I'll check out these points and any others you can suggest. Also, I'll try to bring my camera for some close-ups, if possible.

Thanks again,

Adley

Adley

“one of the salesmen at the shop--someone whom I know to be pretty knowledgeable in fine guns--recognized the name, Kohle, and said it was good maker.” With respect I think the important word here is SALESMEN ask him when and where he worked. It was not uncommon for a German maker to mark the name of the town as well as his own name on work.

If you can have them take it out of the stock and record everything on barrel and action, it might answer some questions. If the Mauser markings were removed it’s hard to tell a military from a commercial, the best way is that all military have a round bolt knob and most commercial have a pear shaped bolt knob. Greener safeties are sometimes found on German bolt guns. If you say the work looks good chances are he knew what he was doing. From what little I know about the rifle sounds like it might be a good one. If the shop can do a chamber and bore cast have them do one. Look at the forend piece from the top and tell me if it’s one piece butted to the stock or if the stock was thinned down and the forend tip put over the wood.

Good luck,

MP (Michael Petrov)

I also have a newly acquired German bolt rifle. I just picked it up this weekend at a local show. It has 29 1/8" Krupp 1/2 octagon barrel, full rib, greener safety, etc. It was made by A. Kleszczewski in Berlin in 1927. The only marking on the reciever ring is the 2.75gGBP - no proofs, caliber (it is 8X57J), Oberndorf, nothing. I'm a little confused. The odd barrel length & price are what drew me to it. I will email some pictures to the above address.

2,75gGBP means 2,75 gramm of GBPowder as service load, dont know what GB powder was.allways remeber you have a I-bore. better slug the barrel and see what you have. we have here in krautland a resizing die to make .318 bullets from any .323 bullet. maybe a good idea for you, fits any common reloading press.

GBP stood for "Geweher Blättchen Pulver" which translates to "Rifle Flake Powder". This was the standard military powder of the day, but I have no idea what it might be close to in terms of burning rate in comparison with IMR powders. 2.75 grams = about 42.4 grains @ 15.43 grains per gram.
Miller

alderman and mike ,
that gun was mine a traded it in to the post a few months ago i never actually did any research
on it but i did think it was post war very nicley done up including the greener saftey it was one of those guns when you see it and how good it looked and condition i didnt think twice about buying it
i also thought that it was made for the american market because of the LOP i never altered the gun by way of stock finish or bluing mike ,after i traded that in i went to buy the hoffman from pete harvey allred i hope you bought it even though i traded it for a little less it still is one of the cleanest around fgor that price

paul

pwm,
Can you tell me more about this resizing die to make .318 bullets from .323's? I think I'd like to get one. After much research, I'm finding .318 bullets difficult, at best, to locate.

Thanks,
Bryndon Steele