Spandau 71/84?

Here is what your 71.84 would have looked like back in 1888 (she just happens to be one of your sister rifles too):

Small7184.jpg
 
Holy sweet baby Jesus that looks awesome!

Do you shoot yours?


I am currently investigating in restoration. I had a fellow cgn'r over tonight who thinks we can salvage it and bring it back to some former glory... My goal is to test out the 1400 meter sight on it lol
 
I haven't shot this girl yet, she is a bit of a safe queen as she is in great condition.

I do have an 1887 Danzig 71.84 that I have shot and she proved to be very accurate. I just have to grab some more powder, hand load some ammo, and I'm off to the range again.
 
Sadly no, it is a copy of an original pattern made by a gentleman in California.

I have looked for originals but they are as rare as hens teeth it seems.

I am currently fixing up three other 71.84s and this old girl serves as a template for repairing the wood stock.
 
I`ve seen some of those for sale. Looks like he does a pretty good job.

Good to hear you are getting some of these back in shape.

I don`t imagine it is an easy task. The wood gets a little tricky around that tube magazine.
 
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Your right, the wood can be tricky. Around the magazine tube area, the wood can be as thin as a piece of paper so it does demand great care. It shows you the amount of skill and effort put into the manufactuer of these rifles a century ago and just how well made they really are.
 
Great fun to shoot - here's a pal of mine shooting his last summer -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sn6B8hvrXC8

There are none here in UK that have been sporterized, on account of their rarity and that they are illegally low-powered, in spite of the well-known performance on large ungulates in North America. Here the bullet must make 1500fps AND 1500 ft lbs for larger deer.

Plus, the previously-noted thrown anvil trajectory means that you'd need to be within nose-picking distance, and here in yUK where the bigger deer are located they can see you coming for a day or so...

tac

Jeez, I guess the .45/70 is too "light" for larger deer in the UK. Who knew? Like most of the large bore black powder rounds, if you can estimate range well and know the trajectory of your load, these guns are still deadly at longer ranges. But even a slight error in range estimation will result in a miss.
 
Jeez, I guess the .45/70 is too "light" for larger deer in the UK. Who knew? Like most of the large bore black powder rounds, if you can estimate range well and know the trajectory of your load, these guns are still deadly at longer ranges. But even a slight error in range estimation will result in a miss.

Here are the rules - I don' make 'em, I just have to abide by them.

Game Licence is no longer needed to kill or take deer, anywhere in the UK.

Firearms and ammunition
The stalker must only use a rifle and ammunition which are legal for the species of deer being shot. In addition to compliance with the law the stalker should be guided by knowledge, experience and personal preference in their choice of a rifle and ammunition. The legal requirements are laid down in the several Deer Acts and Orders. For example:

England and Wales
For Muntjac and Chinese Water deer only - a rifle with a minimum calibre of not less than .220 inches and muzzle energy of not less than 1000 foot pounds and a bullet weight of not less than 50 grains may be used.

For all deer of any species - a minimum calibre of .240 and minimum muzzle energy of 1,700 foot pounds is the legal requirement.

Northern Ireland
For Muntjac and Chinese Water deer only- a rifle with a minimum calibre of not less than .220 inches and muzzle energy of not less than 1000 foot pounds and a bullet weight of not less than 50 grains may be used.

For all deer of any species - a minimum calibre of .236 inches, a minimum bullet weight of 100 grains and minimum muzzle energy of 1,700 foot pounds is the legal requirement.

Scotland
For roe deer, where the bullet must weigh at least 50 grains AND have a minimum muzzle velocity of 2,450 feet per second AND a minimum muzzle energy of 1,000 foot pounds may be used.

For all deer of any species - the bullet must weigh at least 100 grains AND have a minimum muzzle velocity of 2,450 feet per second AND a minimum muzzle energy of 1,750 foot pounds.

It must be stressed that all these figures are the minimum legal requirement.

For all deer stalking the bullet must be of a type designed to expand/deform on impact.

I guess that a modern .45-70 JSP might make the figures in the rest of UK, but certainly NOT in Scotland. BTW, I've never heard of anybody taking game with a single-shot BP rifled gun here in UK.

tac
 
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