** June Purchases **

slow month for me thus far. Just an 870 Police and refurb byf44 K98k. Also ordered "Desperate Measures" - a great textbook on Volksturm weaponry (1944-45).
 
M1904 "UDF" Portuguese in 6.5x58 and Siamese Arisaka

Well my friend from Canada Post visited today and dropped off the latest, and a very pleasant surprise it was! I was expecting a M1904 Portuguese Mauser in the scarce original 6.5x58 (most were converted post 1939 to 8x57), but not one with British South African "experience". Neither did I expect anything but a garden variety Arisaka, but I opened the box and out came a "Siamese" Arisaka in 8x52R like my Siamese Mauser. Both are all-matching with great bores, slings, and G-VG overall condition.

I have yet to do much research, but the following pics tell a bit of the story. Feel free to "educate" me.

Pic 1 - Siamese Arisaka

Siamese_Arisaka.jpg


Pic 2 - Siamese Arisaka Receiver Markings

Siamese_Arisaka_Receiver.jpg


Pic 3 - M1904 Portuguese Mauser in 6.5x58 British "Union Defence Force" (UDF)

Port_UDF_M1904.jpg


Pic 4 - M1904 Portuguese Mauser Receiver Markings

Port_UDF_M1904_Receiver.jpg


Pic 5 - M1904 Portuguese Mauser Buttstock Markings (Left)

Port_UDF_M1904_Buttstock_Left.jpg


Pic 6 - M1904 Portuguese Mauser Buttstock Markings (Bottom)

Port_UDF_M1904_Buttstock_Bottom.jpg
 
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Nice looking Siamese Arisaka. Seems to be based on a T38 action. The Port Mauser is also interesting - odd that it would have seen service in South Africa?? They've got great bottom metal which is why so few survive. ALOT got stripped for the hinged bottom metal to pair up to Brazilian 1908 actions for fine sporters from the likes of H&H back in the 1950's and 60's.
 
Claven2 said:
Nice looking Siamese Arisaka. Seems to be based on a T38 action. The Port Mauser is also interesting - odd that it would have seen service in South Africa?? They've got great bottom metal which is why so few survive. ALOT got stripped for the hinged bottom metal to pair up to Brazilian 1908 actions for fine sporters from the likes of H&H back in the 1950's and 60's.
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I have just learned (from http://www.saaaca.org.za/links/mausers.htm) that about 20,000 M1904's were sent to South Africa in the early 1900's. According to the above-credited website:

"The Union of South Africa was formed on the 31 May 1910, eight years to the day following the peace treaty ending the second Anglo Boer war. Subsequently, the Union Defence Force (UDF) was formed on the lines of the British Regular Army but with a strong irregular, or Commando presence. This was an amalgamation of the two former foe's styles of command.

Louis Botha was the prime minister of the Union at the time of the outbreak of World War One. He offered the country's help to Imperial Britain and was tasked with the invasion of neighbouring German South West Africa (today Namibia). This was primarily to silence the radio network established there and thus deny its use as a relay station to German warships and commerce raiders.

Since arms were in short supply the British government asked for and received rifles and ammunition from their traditional ally, Portugal, for delivery to the Union. This batch consisted of twenty thousand 6,5 mm Model 1904 Portuguese Mauser rifles, possibly Bayonets, with ammunition.

These rifles were considered as a gift by the Portuguese who required no payment. The Union government, however, took great pains to return the favour by sending equipment, including wireless, to the Portuguese authorities in return.

The rifles are also known as Mauser-Vergueiros after the Portuguese officer involved in the design of the action. They were all made by the Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken, Berlin and marked Espingardia Portuguese M1904 6,5 over DWM on the left side rail."
 
Thanks guys.

In my recent spirit of experimentation, it goes for "proof" testing next week. ;) Claven has dibs on any bottom metal I can find afterwards. :eek:
 
Andy said:
Thanks guys.

In my recent spirit of experimentation, it goes for "proof" testing next week. ;) Claven has dibs on any bottom metal I can find afterwards. :eek:
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Thanks Andy! I can use it on a .275 rigby project... lol.
 
well I didn't buy a milsurp but I did pick up a brand new in box never fired Browning BAR Long trac in 30-06 for this years hunting season.
 
I just got this 1938 Tula Russian Nagant revolver from Jean Plamondon. I like it! Neat gun, even if it goes have the trigger from hell.

 
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Nyles said:
I just got this 1938 Tula Russian Nagant revolver from Jean Plamondon. I like it! Neat gun, even if it goes have the trigger from hell.
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Nice! I want one of those ;) Sadly am broke :( If you ever wanna trade it, contact me with a wish list and I'll do some digging in the basement!

UPDATE: Just broke down, bit the bullet, and one's on the way to me too from Jean, a 1918 made tula. I am so weak.
 
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Better not be if you're planning on shooting it.... even after stripping it down and cleaning up the lockwork I can't believe how bad the trigger is!

Congrats though, I'm sure you'll like it as much as I enjoy mine. Particularly with no import marks to ugly it up.
 
I have lots of shooters. I'm getting this just because it's an interesting design idea in a gas-sealing revolver. And I like Russian and Finnish capture stuff.
 
Yeah, that was just an (admittedly bad) joke. If I get the chance I'll shoot it once to see what its like, but this is definately a safe queen.
 
Nyles said:
Yeah, that was just an (admittedly bad) joke. If I get the chance I'll shoot it once to see what its like, but this is definately a safe queen.
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Oh, don;t get me wrong - I WILL shoot this one, just not alot. I like a reloading project... hopefully Lee will still sell me a set of the custom starline dies they made in 7.62 Nagant last year...
 
Two in, waiting on ammo and third

Today I got my Stag Arms AR-15 2R and it is so SWEET!! I can't wait to get it to the range and shoot it off. I also have my Sig Sauer P220 from Dangertree. Once I get my SVT-40 in, I'm taking pics of all three and posting them. Should get my 7.62 x 54R ammo and SVT Wed, or Thurs.
 
Nyles said:
I just got this 1938 Tula Russian Nagant revolver from Jean Plamondon. I like it! Neat gun, even if it goes have the trigger from hell.

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How much are these Nags?

Does Jean have more?

There are no import marks on them?

Inquiring minds want to know:D
 
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