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Joined: Sep 2020
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Hi everyone,

I'm a new member to this group as of today and this is my first contribution. I've kept a small but growing collection of German and Austrian hunting guns for some time but nothing until now that I thought was noteworthy for discussion. I recently purchased the subect rifle in an unlikely place and the more research I do, the more I'm becomming convinced that it was made for and owned by the Crown Prince Rudolf - heir apparent to the imperial thrown of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. A couple of curious observations include the lack of side clips, "SAFE" instead of "SICHER," the complicated inlaid horn "drop points" in the stock, and the unusual 9.5x47R target chambering. The bottom rib looks to be marked with both "6.83" and "7.48," presumably the dates of manufacture and re-proofing. Any insight or individual conclusions would be very much welcomed.
Thanks,
Ian





















Last edited by Ian (WI); 09/21/20 05:33 PM.
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Passed thru the Zella-Mehlis proof facility so the top number, maybe June 1903, is the date ,& the 700 number is the ledger number for the month. Being that high on the tubeset, it should date between 1900 & 1912.

Cheers,

Rainey
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Unique mid-centre Sears.

Cheers,

Rainey
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Mr. Raimey,

You've no doubt taught this lesson to a few people before me, but I need to ask you what you see that points to the Zella-Mehlis proofing as I don't see a "Z-M" mark?

Also, please excuse my ignorance, but what are mid-center sears (the term doesn't seem to be readily recognized via my literal internet searches)?

When I have the rifle in hand, I'll take better photos of the dates on the rib to confirm a 6.83 or 6.03 as you suspect since this would greatly influence my theory of princely provenance.

Best,
Ian

Last edited by Ian (WI); 09/23/20 09:29 AM.
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That is certainly a royal crown, indicating some archduke, prince or other royalty.
Prince Rudolf of Austria however died in 1889.

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The position of the date & ledger number is undoubtedly that of Z-M. There is another set of proof marks lower on the flats, along with multiple preliminary stamps higher on the tubes(Klett or Kelber-jagged encircled K??), that have been worked off or are washing out by odd light reflection which could point to an earlier pass? Just the >>mm<< touchmarks alone date it to circa 1911. To be more in-line w/ the >>mm<< stamps, the date code might be 1909? Just need better images of the marks along the lower rib.

Ah, I use the Old English spelling of sears:

https://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=270357&page=all
Keßler, O. Geyger, H. Schepring.....

Cheers,

Raimey
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Too, the screws in the water-table above point to some assisted open or novel addition to the platform.

Cheers,

Raimey
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Upon closer inspection, I'd hazard a guess that the Z-M date is 6.09 and the ledger number is 749 for June.

Cheers,

Raimey
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Fantastic information, Raimey! Thank you for taking the time to explain all of this as it's all fascinating to me and I'm starting up the steep part my my personal learning curve with all of this. I'm looking forward to providing detailed photos of the worn/earlier marks as well as the date and ledger number. Assuming your 1909 date is true, the hunt is on to find a Prince or Archduke of that time with a first initial "R."

Best,
Ian

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Perhaps Archduke Rainer Ferdinand of Austria who lived till January 1913?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archduke_Rainer_Ferdinand_of_Austria

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