Milsurp After Hours

are there any marks or date codes under the barrel?

And here a pic of an original one, in the original 577-450 chambering.

http://users.telenet.be/Gert.Claes1/ZAR ... .06.08.jpg[/pic]

Well, one of the collection, of course

Belgmart, now you are making me green with envy!

Joe

Apart from a repeat of the serial no. these are the only other barrel marks DD.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v14/j ... 209028.jpg[/pic]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v14/j ... 209031.jpg[/pic]

The receiver does have a different number to the receiver serial no. stamped near the trigger.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v14/j ... 209029.jpg[/pic]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v14/j ... 209030.jpg[/pic]

Pretty normal - the action was actually manufactured by Auguste Francotte, Liège, and then used by WR to build these rifles, which were sold to the Boers.

Meaning there are 2 sets of serial nos - the WR number, and the Francotte one. If you look carefully at the inner assembly, normally on the left rear of the inner (trigger guard) frame, you will find a crowned AF logo, indicating the Francotte manufacture.

And if that pic already makes you envious, wait till you see my other ZAR's! I also have a carbine, and another 2 rifles - and I am currently building a BP match rifle on another ZAR action... The barrel has been fitted, now for some wood and finish. These rifles are gorgeous!

And there's another one on its way...

How about a thread with some pics of your ZAR's, i for one would very much like to see them and read about them.

Joe

By the look of the proof marks, your rifle was proofed and reproofed in Birmingham, both before 1921. The first was black powder for 52 bore (approx. .450"), and later for nitro .22

I've just seen a photo of a Martini-type action in No. 2 Musket (has a shorter lever), with all its tools. Westley's did some incredible rifles

Nick

Just give me some time, and I'll try and get some pics to post.

As a general rule, these rifles did see some serious use, so finding an example in good condition is hard. They probably represent the final word in military Martini's, having a much better method of disassembly than the standard martini.

To date, the list of my ZAR-style rifles would be as follows:

- 2 WR ZAR rifles, full-length, of which one is very good mechanical condition.

- 1 Sporterized ZAR, forend chopped and wood 'embellished' . Mind you, I don't have it yet, it still is in the UK.

- 1 WR ZAR carbine in pretty good condition (now, these are pretty rare - much rarer than the rifles)

- 1 ZAR-style carbine, Belgian-made, with Liege proofmarks. Just a few subtle differences which differentiate of the standard ZAR Francotte receiver

- 1 ZAR action I used to build a new no.2 Musket match rifle. The (new) barrel is fitted and it has been proofed, now needs to be finished and have some wood fitted.

As you can see , I do like my ZAR's...

You should also ask DoubleD to show his - he probably has one of the best ever, it is in extremely good condition - and he went to a lot of trouble to maje some nice photo's of it

belgmart wrote:You should also ask DoubleD to show his - he probably has one of the best ever, it is in extremely good condition - and he went to a lot of trouble to maje some nice photo's of it

I would like to see a post on that rifle, over to you DD.

Joe

I don't have many pictures of the rifle, mostly ones sent to me when I was trying to buy the gun.

http://www.fototime.com/63042F81093396B/standard.jpg[/pic]

http://www.fototime.com/D0253E5F7400A36/standard.jpg[/pic]

http://www.fototime.com/DB1C6C6CB3C4649/standard.jpg[/pic]

This is a working gun, no hanger queens here

http://www.fototime.com/43846157B8B5658/standard.jpg[/pic]