[Guest]

Everybody has seen what was done in the 50's and decades beyond. I'm wondering if anyone here wants to share a Sporterized military rifle from back when....

Here's a 19O3A3 made in 1943 by Remington. Don't know the first thing about it other then the barrels been shortened and recrowned. Guessing a Herters front sight installed and a Fajen style stock was fit to it...

 

[Jim]

Eddystone
This one had a lot of custom work. It even has a beautiful bolt handle. It probably was done in the 50's or 60's.

 

[xtimberman]

Custom 1898 Springfield Krag-Jorgenson Carbine Sporter

Barrel slightly recontoured with Redfield sights installed front and rear

This was my first centerfire rifle and is still the one I will usually grab for chasing whitetails or swine. I know nothing about it's history other than my grandad traded a batch of his homemade crab traps for it.

xtm

 

[kritter]

this ones not mine.. i "borrowed" the pic of the net..however,, theres just something about a blending of old & new that just talks to me..

i might one day just have to see what kind of walnut i have out in the shop and see what i could come up with..

 

[Lord Slashcat]

These photos are outstanding! Maybe Giz can show us some close-ups of the Springfield.
That Krag is magnificent! The Eddystone,too.

 

[azmick]

I have just one. It's a Carl Gustov Swedish Mauser {6.5X55 of course} with a Ramline plastic stock {I would prefer wood but I got this stock cheap} topped with a Leupold VX-III 3.5-10X40 scope. Barrel shortened, matte finish and a 3# Bold trigger to get it going. Not near as good looking as the rest in the thread, but, it is what it is

 

[Bob K]

xtm, I hate it when you show that beautiful KRAG!!!! I had the military version, that had the barrel abd the stock shortened. I didn't really care for ifor military arms.....so I let it go. If you don't mind saying......what did it cost you to do all those modifications? I can't believe how beautiful that looks.

That is a very nice '03, Giz. The one that I have my eye on .....is going for $2000+. But, it's been there for years.....and years! Do you think he'd go for $200???? I'll even pay the sales tax!!! :roll: :lol: Bob

 

[Forester]

Azmick, I've got the cousin to your Swede. This one is a Oberndorf made in 1900. Different stock (Butler Creak), different scope, but same great cartridge.

Lousy photos all around.

The next one is an Enfield with a serious identity crisis. 1943 No4 MKI. This gun was imported by Santa Fe Arms company after the war and converted to the No5 MKI "Jungle Carbine" configuration. I call it a clone. My father bought it from a department store when he was a teenager. His Mom had to tell the guy at the counter it was OK to sell it to him. He, unfortunately, removed the handgaurd and cut the forestock back. I sanded and refinished the stock in my early 20's. It sure is one ugly rifle but a real shooter. Since it doesn't have the lightening cuts in the receiver that the original carbine had, it is way strong and doesn't suffer from the wandering zero issue associated with the real carbine. As one would expect, this rifle is now a couple of pounds lighter than the original number 4. She kicks like a mule. :mrgreen:

 

[Guest]

This tread is getting to be kind of fun. The thing about all these Sporterized rifles that hasn't been mentioned yet....goes back to the 1970's and earlier. I can remember going into stores and being able to by a surplus Mauser, Enfield, or Springfield off the rack for $75 or less depending on condition...these were the chain stores that were everywhere in the country...

How times have changed

Anyrate, you could sporterize just about anything on the cheap!

 

[Leighton]

1923 Spanish Mauser still in original caliber 7X57, 1893 action. Very sweet shooter.

 

[xtimberman]

I love to see a nicely-done sporterization! It reminds me of days-gone-by when sportsmen could be satisfied with an inexpensive alternative to a fancy and expensive factory-made rifle. Many of them were put into service in the 1930s, some in the late 1940s as military souvenirs came home, and are still seeing service today! Most of them were not scope-friendly without expensive gunsmithing, so the customizers made-do with receiver sights - which are coming back into vogue.

Even in recent days, there are inexpensive surplus rifles out there to customize. I've seen Mosins and various other Soviet Bloc rifles for $100 or less. I'm not interested, but I bet some folks are. Lets hope that in 50 years, there will still be shooters and collectors who will be Oohing and Aahing over fine Mosin and SKS sporters. :lol:

BobK,
The work on my Krag was done many years ago - c. 1940 is my guess. The rubber recoil pad was installed ~1959-60 - about the time it was given to me. Krag carbines were popular sporter projects in the depression years because you could buy a surplus Krag carbine for $1.50! I've seen the ads in old American Rifleman magazines. Krags lost favor as the bolt action of choice after WWII because there were so many other superior rifle actions available to customize.

xtm

 

[SaxonPig]

Hooo boy. You've done opened a can of worms, now. Sporterized military rifles, you say? Well, OK...

 

[S.B.]

Custom 1898 Springfield Krag-Jorgenson Carbine Sporter

Barrel slightly recontoured with Redfield sights installed front and rear

This was my first centerfire rifle and is still the one I will usually grab for chasing whitetails or swine. I know nothing about it's history other than my grandad traded a batch of his homemade crab traps for it.

xtm

Man, I've been looking for one of these forever. Thanks for sharing. They don't go for as much as some military rifles but, my heart would sure like to put a Krag carbine sporter in my safe.
Steve

 

[xtimberman]

A sporterization can quickly reduce the value of an expensive military firearm. I notice that a nice all-original military Krag carbine will bring 3-4 times what a basic sporterized Krag will bring. I guess the best option is to find a poorly-done sporter with your preferred action and re-do it to a higher level of quality.

Nicely-done conversions where the work was done at one of the fine gun shops are things of beauty - Sedgley, Griffin & Howe, etc. One of my old neighbors had a British Enfield action that was done up in the Best English tradition by Jeffrey - what a beautiful rifle!

xtm

 

[S.B.]

Have you ever noted that Lee Marvin is carrying one in the movie "Death Hunt" with Charles Bronson as co-star?
Steve

 

[xtimberman]

I'd forgotten. There are a lot of interesting firearms in that movie! Didn't charles Bronson have a Savage '99?

xtm

 

[m58]

Had one once, a real nice Remington 1903a3 with 2 grove barrel that cried out to me while walking a gunshow. Poor baby was wearing a plastic Butler Creek plastic stock , but it hadn't been cut on. Made the deal and about 2 years later after gathering up all the bits and pieces I was able to restore her back to her full military status.

 

[S.B.]

I'd forgotten. There are a lot of interesting firearms in that movie! Didn't charles Bronson have a Savage '99?

xtm

I beleive that's correct? Also, some nice old Winchester lever gun along with a sporterized Enfield or two.
Steve

 

[Bob K]

I like the looks of nicely done sporterizations. Only problem is.....for the money they want.......you could buy a new Ruger M-77, or a couple of used ones. For the money......I'd rather have the RUGER, Winchester, or Remington with a good scope. Old military rifles are just too heavy for me. I'd like a lightweight rifle in .243 Win. I've got a bad shoulder too, Giz. Only it's the left shoulder fLPIGNOk fhfjjjj , so I can still shoot, being a righty.

My left arm ain't too good at holding up long range revolvers, either. I've never been able to shoot like a man.... with 1 hand and standing on 2 legs. Just not my style, I guess. :roll: Bob

 

[S.B.]

Bob K, the whole idea of sporterization is to lighten these rifles?
Steve