Our member, PhysDoc, suggested that I bid on an unidentified John Oberlies target rifle on gunbroker. He knows that I have a bit of a yen for Oberlies rifles. It is gunbroker #676573424 for those who wish to look at it. Anyone who posts a link will be in my debt. The rifle is like many Oberlies rifles, built for wealthy clients in the thirties and forties and never carried in the field. I am amazed every time I find one of John Oberlies' efforts and see no indication that it has ever been fired. I will slap a Unertl on it and find out what it can do. Thank you so much, PhysDoc, for your help in adding to my collection. Bill Murphy in MD

http://www.gunbroker.com/item/676573424

What is up with that front scope block? Never seen one like that, and it makes me wonder the intent. What are the distances between the center of the rear and each center on the front block?

Certainly, the price seems right!

There were scopes of different lengths that were used with target bases. Apparently Oberlies made this gun to be used with either long or short scopes. By the way, as you can see, Oberlies made his own scope bases and case colored them. I will probably shoot this gun with standard long tube Unertls.

Brent, thank you for the link.

the scopes I'm aware of (Unertl, Fecker, Winchester, Lyman, ...) all have variable mount spacings. That is they can be fit to a wide range of block spacings. The different spacing would provide different elevation changes for a give unit of change on the adjustment. I wonder if had a scope with some sort of unusual calibrations - that was my first thought, and why I asked what the distances are for the two spacings. The other possibility is that he uses the same sort of set up for a detachable barrel sight. Sort of a long shot, but just an idea. But on a Swift? Anyway, cool rifle with a little mystery. Wish I could figure it out.

Glad to do it, I can't afford many of the rifles I see, but if I can't buy it, I'd rather that somebody here get it. I am glad that
it went to a good home.

I look forward to reading about how it does at the range.

PhysDoc

Just realized there is no front sight, so that second hypothesis is pretty foolish.

What about the rifle caught your eye and said it was an Oberlies effort.

For me, it was the treatment of the bolt knob and body. Michael Petrov discussed this in a thread whose pictures are now gone.

Eightbore, when you receive the rifle I would most appreciate you posting a picture of the pistol grip area. In all the pictures that were available the seller never took a good side view of the action and pistol grip areas. (Picture 3 and 9 are of this area however were taken at a downward angle and you can't see the grip cap area or its profile very well)

Congrats on the buy it looks like you got a good one!

At the time of his death, Michael and I were planning an addition to his two books, describing Oberlies' guns. He had been searching for years for an Oberlies Springfield 1903, finally found one in the year of his death. Unlike MP, who was focused on Springfields, I am focused on anything Oberlies made. We were to use my ten Oberlies guns for the article. Michael only had the one, but his interest was high. I have saved most of our emails discussing his search. The grip on the Swift is the wavy pattern, but with none of his characteristic silver inlays.

Yes, and most shooters agree that beyond full length scopes, there are several base spacings used for all the others. The standard seems to be 7.25" spacing, (1/4" click), 14.5" spacing (1/8" click) and the other is 21.75" (1/16" click) This applies to most common target scopes like Unertl, Fecker, Lyman, etc.
Stevens probably made a larger assortment of varying scope lengths than any other maker.

Notice that the front base has two locations cut for mounts. What I have not mentioned is that this 1917 Swift is one of a near identical pair of 1917s, one in 30-06, made by Oberlies for the same customer. The pair was split up about 30 some years ago at an OGCA show. I was able to find the 30-06 about ten years ago, on gunbroker, in the hands of the person who displayed the pair at OGCA. The Swift had been sold at the show and disappeared until I found it in Virginia on gunbroker.

Great end to a decade long search. It is always good to hear of success in these types of efforts. Nice looking rifle with unique features and another example of what is still out there in the collectible category that can be had reasonably. It would be nice to see the pair compared when you have this in hand. Thanks for sharing.
Thaine

Thanks for the comments.

In packing for my impending move, I found a nice ten power Unertl of the short variety. I don't believe I ever had it on a rifle, but this 1917 Swift looks like a good home for it. More information in the spring.