No, I didn't buy a rifle I know little about for 3500$
Still, a very neat piece of machinery. It caught my eye because I didn't recognize it amongst a flock of SMLEs and other milsurps. The internals were quite interesting; I'd expected it to be similar in operation to an SVT since they were contemporaries, but it has two flaps in the bolt the pop out the sides, kind of like how the rollers lock the breech in an MG42 (only a bolt carrier, not the barrel's movement unlocks them). Apparently a gas-trap at the muzzle actuates the carrier, so no taps are drilled in the barrel.
I was taken aback somewhat by the crude finish on the exterior of the receiver casting; very crudely formed contours and a finish that looks like cast iron. I don't know if this was typical for these rifles, but most other German designs I've seen from the era seemed to have better quality. Perhaps this rifle was a late-war model? The inside, of course, was a much finer production, though I did notice the bolt tended to bind on the return if it was rode forward (the bolt carrier pressing the locking flaps out the sides against the receiver walls). The detachable 10rnd magazine was pretty neat; a short square box that rocked into place smoothly and snugly.
Very cool piece of history, and I'm glad I dropped by to window shop today. This shop is good about having interesting items come through with regularity
TCB
Still, a very neat piece of machinery. It caught my eye because I didn't recognize it amongst a flock of SMLEs and other milsurps. The internals were quite interesting; I'd expected it to be similar in operation to an SVT since they were contemporaries, but it has two flaps in the bolt the pop out the sides, kind of like how the rollers lock the breech in an MG42 (only a bolt carrier, not the barrel's movement unlocks them). Apparently a gas-trap at the muzzle actuates the carrier, so no taps are drilled in the barrel.
I was taken aback somewhat by the crude finish on the exterior of the receiver casting; very crudely formed contours and a finish that looks like cast iron. I don't know if this was typical for these rifles, but most other German designs I've seen from the era seemed to have better quality. Perhaps this rifle was a late-war model? The inside, of course, was a much finer production, though I did notice the bolt tended to bind on the return if it was rode forward (the bolt carrier pressing the locking flaps out the sides against the receiver walls). The detachable 10rnd magazine was pretty neat; a short square box that rocked into place smoothly and snugly.
Very cool piece of history, and I'm glad I dropped by to window shop today. This shop is good about having interesting items come through with regularity
TCB