Milsurp After Hours

So what does BL mean as far as date?

Dutch Mosin wrote:Asked the same question about my Armi Sport Le Page.
I sent an E-mail to Chiappa Firearms in Italy yesterday evening.
Had a reply early this morning.
My Le Page was manufactured in April 1993 en exported to "Frankonia Jagd" in Germany that same year.

BTW.....fantastic pictures Duncan.


Met vriendelijke groet,

Martin

The pictures are not the only fantastic thing, getting a reply from a gun business so quickly is also fantastic.

They must live in the past as epitomized by their guns, as far as service goes.

Niner wrote:So what does BL mean as far as date?

BL is 1998 Robert.
Here are a couple of sites with the information. http://www.hallowellco.com/proof_date_codes.htm http://www.powderhombre.com/mbpproofmarks.pdf

Thanks Duncan. 1998 was about when I bought it.

DISASTER!

Not a good range day!!
Firstly, the Le Page is meant for offhand shooting - but I don't have enough strength in my right arm to hold it up and steady. ( Obviously my bout of peripheral nerve damage is NOT fixed! )
Secondly, The loading rest does not give enough support at the sides although it is fine when you hold the pistol with one hand and ram with the other. (Revised design to follow Martin!)
Third, flints don't last long without a trim............no trim kit so 6 rounds fired - 3 on target......must try harder!
Forth, my pal Alain took his new Hawken and the first 4 shots at 50mtrs were all in the black. Then he got talking to another member whiles loading the 5th and forgot to put the powder in Rifle is now at the gunshop in Bordeaux to have the breech plug removed and the bullet pushed out.

So, 90 minutes travel, 10 shots between us and lots of frustration to show for it

We've all had those kinds of days, Duncan. You'll have better luck next time.

Sorry to hear about your "not so good" range day.
Most of the things that went wrong can be fixed though.....except for the strength in your arm.
I did notice in the Le Page pictures in this thread that you don't use the "finger rest" of the pistol.
I use it when shooting my Le Page and it helps me keep my arm and hand steadier.

About loading the bullet without putting in the powder first.....it will happen to all of us.
I'm sure he will never forget the moment he fired that rifle and realizes that he forgot the powder.

Thanks for "testing" the loading rest for me Duncan.
I can't wait to receive the revised design.

I really hope things will work out for you with the pistol, your arm and the loading rest.
Say hello to your pal Alain from me and tell him he will get over it.
I did....


Met vriendelijke groet,

Martin

Revised Loading Stand pics for Martin.







The only changes are to the 'wings' Martin, it seems to work OK now.


Bad news is my arm won't improve so I just have to find another stance that works, probably supporting my right arm under the elbow with my left one.

The pictures are not of me shooting the pistol but Alain and the grip was more for effect than anything else. I took them for a photo competition.

As for him loading without powder - I told him it was typical of the French to pay more attention to the conversation than the sequence

Thanks for the revised design Duncan.
Got a small vacation (couple of days) coming up at the end of this month.
Might have some time to make one then.
I’ll post some pictures when it’s ready.

Sorry to hear about your arm, but I’m sure you will find a way to shoot it.

Those are great pictures.
Did you use a special(professional) camera to make these or could I take pictures like yours with my “simple-click-clack” digital camera?

Is Alain’s rifle fixed yet??
I hope so.


Met vriendelijke groet,

Martin

Dutch Mosin wrote:Thanks for the revised design Duncan.
Got a small vacation (couple of days) coming up at the end of this month.
Might have some time to make one then.
I’ll post some pictures when it’s ready.

Sorry to hear about your arm, but I’m sure you will find a way to shoot it.

Those are great pictures.
Did you use a special(professional) camera to make these or could I take pictures like yours with my “simple-click-clack” digital camera?

Is Alain’s rifle fixed yet??
I hope so.


Met vriendelijke groet,

Martin

My arm - it's f***ed

I use a Canon 500DSLR Martin and take my photography very seriously I am a member of a local club and also the French Photographic Federation. Spent the last club night taking macro photos of the Le Page which I will post after they are "processed"

According to the Owners Manual that came with the gun it is possible to remove the breech plug and push the bullet out from the breech. I tried but couldn't move it and rather than damage the steel Alain took it to a gunsmith in Bordeaux. I don't know the result yet.
I looked in the Davide Pedersoli catalogue and they make a "Fast Ball Puller" which works with CO2 bulbs. Of course no one in France sells them ( normal! )but Henry Krank in the UK has them in stock so I may buy one from them as an insurance!