Well,
The rifle finally arrived, was promptly reduced to bits and pieces, and reassembled again....
Here some pics of the rifle:
The bore, as received - before thorough cleanup:
http://users.pandora.be/Gert.Claes1/ZAR%20bore%202.jpg[/pic]
Some action views:
http://users.pandora.be/Gert.Claes1/ZAR%20action1.jpg[/pic]
http://users.pandora.be/Gert.Claes1/ZAR%20action2.jpg[/pic]
And here, the 'mutilated' date marking on the Nock's form:
http://users.pandora.be/Gert.Claes1/ZAR%20WR%20date.jpg[/pic]
And also, some detail pics of the Francotte insides:
http://users.pandora.be/Gert.Claes1/ZAR ... ds%201.jpg[/pic]
http://users.pandora.be/Gert.Claes1/ZAR ... ds%202.jpg[/pic]
http://users.pandora.be/Gert.Claes1/ZAR ... ncotte.jpg[/pic]
Finally, some general pics:
http://users.pandora.be/Gert.Claes1/ZAR%20rear.jpg[/pic]
http://users.pandora.be/Gert.Claes1/ZAR%20top.jpg[/pic]
http://users.pandora.be/Gert.Claes1/ZAR%20muzzle.jpg[/pic]
And finally, the 1st target shot with the rifle
http://www.gunboards.com/forums/uploade ... -02-26.jpg[/pic]
Ammo was as follows:
NDFS cases
WLRM primer
85grs of Fg Swiss
Lubed felt wad, sandwiched between card wads
420gr CBE 'carbine' bullet
This is actually the ammo reserved for my ZAR carbine, but it chambers just fine in this rifle, so chambers must be quite close.
All shots were fired from the prone position, without support or sling, at 75m (the longest my club alllows).
The 3 rounds above the black, in the black circle were the 1st ones, to get a feel of the rifle and find the POI-POA relation. After these, I dropped the front sight a bit more in the rear sight, and shot the rest...
Unfortunately, I did pull a shot (the one with the black square around), but obviously I am very happy with the other shots!
The target is the 100m ISU rifle target, BTW
Westley-Richards ZAR, Francotte-improved Martini
Moderator: Aughnanure
You're tempting me to give mine a try! I've had it a couple of years now..... but I have been busy!!
What if anything is the significance of the 'mutilated' date mark? Mine is dated 1897.
David
What if anything is the significance of the 'mutilated' date mark? Mine is dated 1897.
David
David Minshall - www.researchpress.co.uk
Firearms, long range shooting and associated history
Firearms, long range shooting and associated history
ZAR and shooting...
David,
You really should take yours out for some work - these are serious fun! And if you use a 420gr bullet, not too hard on the shoulder.
As to the mutilated date marking, I haven't got a clue. Cannot have anything to do with export to the US, as the cutoff date is 1898 - and this one obviously was 1896.
This is my 4th ZAR now - 2 rifles, 1 carbine and a worn,maltreated and bubba'ized rifle which is now being rebuilt to a 8x60R Kropatschek for LR work...
You really should take yours out for some work - these are serious fun! And if you use a 420gr bullet, not too hard on the shoulder.
As to the mutilated date marking, I haven't got a clue. Cannot have anything to do with export to the US, as the cutoff date is 1898 - and this one obviously was 1896.
This is my 4th ZAR now - 2 rifles, 1 carbine and a worn,maltreated and bubba'ized rifle which is now being rebuilt to a 8x60R Kropatschek for LR work...