I joined in on a HiBid auction from over in Hagerstown a little late in the week and got interested in a couple of civilian guns. I was bidding on a Quackenbush bicycle rifle and a John Smyth slide-action 12ga (rebadged Union Firearms Model 25) due to the uniqueness of the two. The Quackenbush went higher than I wanted to go with it being in somewhat rough shape, and the Smyth went higher than I was willing to risk seeing as how parts would be difficult to find and I know it was missing at least 3 screws if not more. There was a really nice Lebel trainer that was too rich for my blood, and a VZ52 that ran up in price rather quickly. The only other firearms lot in the bunch that I was looking to throw a bid on was a MAS-36 which the always astute Mawkie recognized as likely pre-war and sitting way low. I figured I'd throw a max bid of $350 at it since I wasn't dead set on grabbing it right now (it's on the list, but there are others ahead of it) turns out $325 is all it took. Out the door after vig and tax at $393.40 or something like that.
Mawkie was definitely correct that it wasn't a post-war example. Turns out it's awartime K-series H-Series serial number. No import marks, all matching, with the German LK5 stamp on the butt stock. Probably a bring-back.
The wood is rough with several big dings, but the metal is immaculate. No rust, nice patina, and the finish is pretty much all there. The rifling is pristine with no putting in the bore and a flawless muzzle. The bolt has so much finish on it that I doubt it was used much at all.
Overall it's a hell of a steal and I owe many thanks to Mawkie for bringing it to the forefront of my attention.
--------EDIT--------
That's an H now that I can see it blown up on a computer screen (stupid poor eyesight)
That puts is in the production year of 1939-1940.
Mawkie was definitely correct that it wasn't a post-war example. Turns out it's a
The wood is rough with several big dings, but the metal is immaculate. No rust, nice patina, and the finish is pretty much all there. The rifling is pristine with no putting in the bore and a flawless muzzle. The bolt has so much finish on it that I doubt it was used much at all.
Overall it's a hell of a steal and I owe many thanks to Mawkie for bringing it to the forefront of my attention.
--------EDIT--------
That's an H now that I can see it blown up on a computer screen (stupid poor eyesight)
That puts is in the production year of 1939-1940.
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