Makers Mark I.D.

[vintage hunter]

Probably a long shot but does anyone recognise the makers mark in photo #3? The rifle is a 45-70 built up on a Siamese Mauser action. I read an article about such conversions when I was a kid in the 1978 or 79 Gun Digest and have wanted one ever since. Found this one at a gun show 8 or so years ago. According to the article a number of Siamese Mausers were imported in the '60's but were in such bad condition the majority of them were scrapped for their actions and were built up into 45-70 sporters by the importer. However, I don't believe this is one of them as this one exhibits a higher degree of workmanship than one would expect from a semi mass produced rifle utilizing a military action. The action is bedded and fit and finish are excellent. I've been trying to find out some info on who may have built this one since I've had it but have been unsucessful so far.

Information

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[browningautorifle]

I don't think they were mass produced in 45-70 but done on an individual basis by whomever got them. It's just that this model woked out well in 45-70 so they were done. I think it was done to a good standard, I would have gone that far myself if I had done it. Once you do a bit of clean up and a bead blst and blue or park, they sure look better than they started out...That little chess pawn on the receiver ring should tell the maker. Someone here will know. How does it shoot? Just great I'll bet!

[Tarheel]

VH, I don't recognize it but there is a well known gunsmith in Greenwood, SC on the Mauser Central forum who goes by the moniker of "Clemson" who might be able to help. If you want I can flash the pic to him in a PM and see what he says. You don't have any idea what geographic area it came from do you?

[vintage hunter]

Tarheel, I got the rifle at a gun show in Columbia, S.C. from a guy who does shows in SC, NC, and Georgia but he did'nt say nor did I ask where he picked it up. See what the guy in Greenwood has to say about it, he just may know something.

Jim, it does shoot very well, better that I expected it would. With a scope and handloaded ammo it shoots consistant 3 shot groups that measure 1 1/2'' at 100yds. Ammo recipe consists of Rem. 405gr SP bullets and a teaspoon of IMR 3031 powder, MV 2080fps. Gonna have to tame it down some though, I have a disc problem in my neck from a work related accident years ago and it's getting so I can't handle the heavy recoil anymore.

[Bruce McAskill]

There was a company that was doing the conversions in the late 70's and early 80's. The receiver I think was made in Japan at the Kokura Army Arsenal.

[Mike in Wis.]

Your makers mark on the barrel = Federal Firearms Co Inc.; PO Box 145; Oakdale, PA,15071

If you were to remove the barreled action from the stock, chances are you would find Federal stamped somewhere on them.

The current owner's web page is Federal Firearms Co. Inc.


"Federal Firearms was started as Small Arms Manufacturing, a barrel factory started in 1958 in Presto Pennsylvania By Jerry Taucher and some other associates. Then in 1967 Jerry and his associates started a wholesale and retail location called Federal Firearms Co. Inc. located just 2 miles from the Barrel plant in What used to be referred to as Federal Pennsylvania.... In 1974 Jerry bought out his partners and became the sole owner of Federal Firearms Co. Inc. Which has become a retail store and repair center selling all major firearm brands. In 1990 Jerry retired and turned the operations over to his son Bruce."

Also Found this... "Distributors of the Diamond Lapped Star Barrel, sold M-98, Santa Barbara,FN Supreme, Interarms Mark X and Sako actions and Fajen Stocks. Good barrels, I have a few, similar to ER Shaw back in the day 60-70's. They would rebarrel your action or make you up a complete rifle from any one of their actions or stocks. Their std bbl was 21.95 and a premium 3.00 extra (68-70 time frame). HorseHead, looks like a chess piece was their trademark/proof mark. The Star bbls were 4140 CM 6 grove button rifle and capable of moa or less, and diamond lapped. Their gunsmith work and bluing were nice, neat and fairly quick. Look at some old American Rifleman magazine of the 60-70's and they were a steady advertiser."

I'm not exactly sure of the original relationship... but Small Arms Manufacturing is now the OEM barrel making division of ER Shaw. So at some point Federal apparently became a seprate entity and retail store.