Show me your milsurps

[juststarting]

Lol. So we can guess, just not correctly

I knew there were three people who'd guess it. TheDude, because there's an old thread on it where he suggests it. I just forgot who the third one was LOL. Bentaz, because he knew; and No1Mk3, because he is a freak and just seems to know everything. However, yes... Just not correctly

[juststarting]

For a while I wanted to shoot this little beast. The original tacticool battle rifle and beast of a cartridge, I just wanted to shoot it! Something inside me was like, you need to shoot this s**t! And a gentle toe dip into world of BP. The collectors auction was way too overpriced, I wanted a shooter and everyone else wanted a wall hanger and a looker, I suppose. I wasn't prepared to pay (cheapest one went for there) $1,300. This one popped up on UG and the guy was in Melbourne, so he let it go a little cheaper and a lot cheaper than $1300. I thought, screw it, if I don't do it now, I'll pay a premium for indecisiveness later.











If anyone can tell me about the markings, that would be great.

[Supaduke]

Very nice JS. If I hadn't stumbled on the Lithgow I bought, one of these in .303 was next in line. Elegant , lovely looking rifles. I'm not a caster so sourcing .577 ammo was problematic. Hopefully it's a decent shooter. Love the way the Martini's function.

[Bent Arrow]

Ohh yeah. Very nice. I would love to have a few shots through that, big step up from the 310 cadet......

[No1Mk3]

G'day juststarting,
From the 2nd pic, top to bottom, Royal Cypher of Queen Victoria / Makers name, the "M" in the BSA & M Co stands for Metals / Year of manufacture / Lock Viewers Mark, used until 1897 / Mark designation, in this case a Mk III / Arms Class Mark, a I for 1st Class, line regiment, a Class 2 would be a downgrade to Reserves use.
3rd pic self explanatory, War Dept / Birmingham Inspector / Mark Designation,
4th pic, on the barrel, left to right, Opposed arrows, Sold out of Service mark, 1st Proof mark, Inspectors mark the italic capital "B" is a Birmingham designation, 2nd Proof, Inspectors mark Birmingham, War Dept Broad Arrow acceptance mark. On the action, 2nd Proof mark, Inspectors mark applied after reproof, Sold out of Service mark.
4th pic, hard to make out but they look like the usual Victorian Government issue roundels.
I would highly recommend you buy Ian Skennertons "Small Arms Identification Series" booklet, No 15, which deals with .450 & .303 Martini rifles and carbines. It contains photos, exploded parts drawings, Armourers Instructions, parts lists and dismantle and reassemble info. It used to cost around $12, but that was a while ago. It is available from Ians website (if he's actually home!) or from Bunduki Books, which since Peter retired, is now owned by Pauline & Roger Mowbray of Northern Shooters Supplies, and the new website is bundukibooks.com.au, Cheers.

[juststarting]

Thanks. I also found the markings website, that answered some questions, this filled in the rest.

[Supaduke]

He knows stuff.

[360noscope]

Some more pics now I have time anybody got ideas on the sites or for reloading ex German brass thanks Ant

[360noscope]

Hope these are better pictures and I should have bought the araska that was there as well

[360noscope]

Hope these are better pictures and I should have bought the araska that was there as well

[juststarting]

He knows stuff.

Freakishly so.

[No1Mk3]

G'day juststarting,
45 years of collecting, study and using military rifles and handguns, picked up a bit of info along the way! Mostly what I've learnt is I have only scratched the surface, and there is a long way to go. Have a conversation yourself with someone new to collecting, and I think you may surprise yourself with the knowledge base you have picked up already. One thing I will say about my hobby (the wife says mania, but never says no to shooting them!), is that you should NEVER be afraid to throw off long held, cherished, beliefs in the light of new, and better research, that is concise and well developed, always look for more, Cheers.

[Dunxy]

I love Milsurp's!
Heres my 2 Swedish Mausers.
On the top is a all matching all original 1942 Husqvarna M38 Short rifle,pretty rare as they only made 88k.I just picked it up today after winning it at auction a few weeks back.

On the bottom is my 1915 CG M96, mostly matching and has been "arsenal level refurbished" by myself as there was not much bluing left and timber was rough and flithy.


I havent got my Lithgow yet but I am currently restoring a sporterised no4mk2e that i kidnapped from a mates safe, pics will appear sometime! Other than lithgow the only milsurps im planning on adding will be a k98 and a moist nugget (mosin) if i can find one cheap enough, not prepared to pay a lot for garbage rod! Oh and maybe a Martini of some description down the track!

[juststarting]

You subs like me. I only wanted a 91/30 Mosin. M38 Mosin kinda just happened. Then... Anyway, yeah, it's an addiction.

[bladeracer]

You subs like me. I only wanted a 91/30 Mosin. M38 Mosin kinda just happened. Then... Anyway, yeah, it's an addiction.

I've got another 20-rifle safe coming next week I'm going to have to fill

Anybody ever seen an M1904 Vergiuero in the original 6.5x58mm here in Oz?

[Dunxy]

I saw a half 20' container full of milsurps the other day, some unissued! Could have happily given them all a home, if i could afford it!

[No1Mk3]

G'day bladeracer,
Yes, I have one. Several thousand of these rifles were sent to Portuguese East Africa during WW1, then many were captured by Von Lettow-Vorbek and used by Germany in South West Africa. After the war these rifles went into South African stores and so avoided the 1937 rework. A few have since found their way over here, but are still very scarce. Cheers.

[bladeracer]

G'day bladeracer,
Yes, I have one. Several thousand of these rifles were sent to Portuguese East Africa during WW1, then many were captured by Von Lettow-Vorbek and used by Germany in South West Africa. After the war these rifles went into South African stores and so avoided the 1937 rework. A few have since found their way over here, but are still very scarce. Cheers.

Lucky swine
What does it shoot like and is brass hard to find?
My 8x57mm Vergiuero is very accurate and I'd love to get a 6.5mm as well.

[No1Mk3]

G'day Dunxy,
Nice set, that 96 came up well. You will find stock disks on ebay, some repro, some original, to finish off that 38. 1942 was an interesting year, is yours the early Bjorkenstam or the later Stenmo? Cheers.

[No1Mk3]

G'day bladeracer,
It shoots very well indeed, up to Swede levels. The brass has never been easily available here, but years ago DWM of Germany and ICI, under the Kynoch brand, made sporting ammo, some of which can be found at gunshows at "collector" prices. OK if you only want to shoot a couple for fun, but brass is easily made from 270Win and the projectile is normal 6.5mm, .264", so easy enough for reloading, Cheers

[Supaduke]

Good one Dunxy. Welcome to the obsession.

I picked up my Lithgow today. Has a bit of storage grease on it. I will post some pics when I get it cleaned up.

[juststarting]

Second safe went in today. I only ever wanted one rifle, damn it!

[Supaduke]

That's what everyone says. But guns have an innate need to gather in herds. You can't fight nature.

[juststarting]

Not at all, Superduke. I've stripped naked, rubbed myself down with Innox soaked cloth and now part of the heard. They accept me as one of their own now.

[Gun-nut]

Speaking of storage grease, what do you fellas recommend for removing cosmoline or similiar grease?

[Supaduke]

Finally picked up the new Lithgow last night.
All matching numbers, non-FTR'ed and in beautiful condition. 1942. Blueing and woodwork in great shape. Once I got it home and inspected closely I suspect the bolt head may have been changed out. Looks brand new and under different light I could see a slight difference in the blueing. I'm ok with that if it is.

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Bit of storage grease to be cleaned off the metal work. Overall , I'm very happy with it.

[Dunxy]

G'day Dunxy,
Nice set, that 96 came up well. You will find stock disks on ebay, some repro, some original, to finish off that 38.

I was pretty happy with the way the 96 came up, i need to get some decent pictures in natural light.Yeah, I knew the disks were obtainable thats why i wasn't bothered its missing, no doubt pilfered to put on a rifle to sell,bore on it is excellent.

1942 was an interesting year, is yours the early Bjorkenstam or the later Stenmo? Cheers.

No idea, just its a Husqvarna, how can i tell?

[juststarting]

I'm beginning to buckle under peer pressure here, it would seem that I need a classic Enfield. As ugly as they are, it is after all the rifle that pretty much colonised the world. f*** you everyone.

[Supaduke]

You're welcome.

[Dunxy]

Its un-Australian to not have at least 1(preferably more!) ex mill 303 in one shape or form in your safe!