+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 12

Thread: what exactly do we have here...

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    Legacy Member Noobtubes's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2019
    Last On
    06-11-2021 @ 01:28 AM
    Location
    Lebanon, OR
    Posts
    17
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    12:23 AM

    what exactly do we have here...

    Hi all,
    I picked up this sporter argentine from a pawn shop today for $200. It doesn't seem to be an exact match for any of the 1891 models I know of. It has been polished and cut but the #'s match on everything from the stock to the sight. It isn't long enough to be a full rifle and it has a matching # bent bolt but the barrel seems too long for a carbine. The front sight has original markings on it so I sort of doubt the barrel has been snipped. Anyone familiar with these?
    Information
    Warning: This is a relatively older thread
    This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Posts
    All Threads
    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #2
    Legacy Member Paul S.'s Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    04-08-2020 @ 06:58 PM
    Location
    Back and forth between Sydney and Southern California
    Posts
    1,594
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    03:23 AM
    At a guess, it's a standard 1891 Argentineicon Mauser that someone bought at a bargain price and then tarted it up as a sporter rifle - a very common activity back in the day.

  4. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  5. #3
    Legacy Member Noobtubes's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2019
    Last On
    06-11-2021 @ 01:28 AM
    Location
    Lebanon, OR
    Posts
    17
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    12:23 AM
    Thread Starter
    Hey, I was thinking that too but the barrel is too short for a long rifle and it has a bent bolt, do you think it started life as a carbine?

  6. #4
    Legacy Member Eaglelord17's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 08:56 PM
    Location
    Sault Ste. Marie, ON
    Posts
    1,257
    Real Name
    A.N.
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    04:23 AM
    No the barrel would have been chopped and the bolt handle bent by whoever did the sporterizing. Some obvious clues are the long rear sight (carbines almost always have a shorter rear sight), front barrel band style, sling mounting points (carbines expecially from this era usually have the mounting points on the side), way how the bolt is bent, and the style of front sight.

  7. #5
    Legacy Member Noobtubes's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2019
    Last On
    06-11-2021 @ 01:28 AM
    Location
    Lebanon, OR
    Posts
    17
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    12:23 AM
    Thread Starter
    Huh I guess they did a good job lol the bolt looks perfect for a bent-bolt carbine! I'm doing a gunsmithing apprenticeship starting here in a little bit specifically focused on restoring milsurp rifles. With all the numbers matching I'd hate to rebarrel it to restore it, so I'm thinking about cutting it back even more to make a faux arentine naval carbine, anyone have any experience with those?

  8. #6
    Legacy Member Paul S.'s Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    04-08-2020 @ 06:58 PM
    Location
    Back and forth between Sydney and Southern California
    Posts
    1,594
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    03:23 AM
    No experience with them, but I personally would leave it as it is, and enjoy it. As you said, whoever did the work did a good job. Why risk buggering it?

  9. #7
    Legacy Member Noobtubes's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2019
    Last On
    06-11-2021 @ 01:28 AM
    Location
    Lebanon, OR
    Posts
    17
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    12:23 AM
    Thread Starter
    Well mainly I want to return it as much as possible to standard military configuration. Turns out the naval carbine barrel length is 23.5 inches which is exactly what I have right now so no snip snip would be required so I'll just be putting a nosecap and front band on it and a handguard. I won't be altering the metal at all.

  10. #8
    Legacy Member Eaglelord17's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 08:56 PM
    Location
    Sault Ste. Marie, ON
    Posts
    1,257
    Real Name
    A.N.
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    04:23 AM
    Here's the ethical problem with what your proposing. You create this fake carbine and you know its fake. Eventually down the road you sell it letting the buyer know its fake. That buyer (or the next one, or the next one) isn't as honest and will advertise it as a real carbine. And there is obvious signs its not a real one, but the person buying it might not be super knowledgeable on them and ends up paying full value on a fake. That person eventually realizes its a fake but its too late and now there out the money and are either forced to sell at a loss, keep because it will never be worth what they paid, or try to pass it on to the next sucker.

    The other thing to consider is using up original parts to tart up a fake. Those parts could be used to repair a real carbine but instead are being used on a fake taking them out of supply. Not saying you can't do this, its your money and you can buy what you like, just that the supply of original parts is limited and to me its a waste to put it on a fake.

  11. The Following 2 Members Say Thank You to Eaglelord17 For This Useful Post:


  12. #9
    Legacy Member bob q's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Last On
    03-20-2024 @ 10:15 PM
    Location
    north texas
    Posts
    444
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    03:23 AM
    You would really be wasting time and money . To make a correct looking carbine out of it you will need a bolt [ the one you have is a poorly done heat bend ] , a stock [ it is too short and trimmed at the front ] , all the barrel bands and nose cap , a handguard , a rear sight . The front sight is in the wrong place, so you have to remove it and turn the barrel down to move the sight back .

  13. #10
    Legacy Member ikesdad's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Last On
    04-15-2020 @ 04:19 PM
    Posts
    33
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    04:23 AM
    I've seen several others done in the exact same way which tells me they were modified by the importers in the 50s or 60s.

+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Raven Rocks