Steyr Match Rifle circa 1935

[Strangely Brown]

After a very encouraging PM from another forum member with similiar interests to myself; here are some pictures of a Steyr Match Rifle I bought at last years Trafalgar Meeting from Fultons.

That incidently was the last time I managed to shoot it, I entered the "back position" competition which is shot from the 900 yard firing point and got squadded with two of the German competitiors who come over.
One of the Germans who took an interest said, "Ah....an English Match Rifle, how old is it?"
Oh I replied "its pre wa..rrrr.. ...er about 1935"!!!
I felt the hand of John Cleese on my shoulder as I took my position alongside them, and with some trepidation I "assumed the position" of the supine shooter, never having done it before.

The good news was that my third sighter found the V bull (the kiss of death) I finally finished with a score somewhere in the mid 30's Ex 75 which being the only competitor meant I won!


Overall Side View.




Bolt Detail.




Receiver Markings




Forend Platform Detail (this usually rests between knee and leg)




Detail under Platform (no quality gunsmithing work here!)





Barrel marking left hand side.





Barrel marking right hand side.





Reciever detail showing evidence of an earlier sight.





Rear sight base showing a "chunk" taken from the woodwork, not much finess shown in this method of fitting the rear ladder sight!





Rear windage scale, (it was with some disapointment I found there was no "twin zero" to play with)





Elevation scale (not the best quality)





Galilean front sight showing brass cowling.





Looking through Galilean front sight, about 2 or 3X magnification.(note spirit level at base of glass)



I think it must have been lying around since 1963 (when Match Rifle went to 7.62mm) judging by the cobwebs and muck in the barrel, I was however pleased to find it.

[ovenpaa]

Oh I do like the look of that, I have often looked at pictures of 'back gunners' but never seen it shot 'in the flesh' I always get the impression it must play hell with your neck after a while, is this the case?

[Dave 101]

That's certainly is something different even if the stock alterations are a little crude , I dont think I could get the hang of the back position though .

Dave

[Rifleman798]

Very nice.

James

[targetman]

Mick....

Thanks for posting the pictures.....fabulous......I feel another project coming on........oh dear !!!!

The one I had some time back was on the same action but in 7.62 with similar foresight, the backsight was a home brew but beautifully engineered. The only difficulty was the optics, something I am not sure that I can overcome, but I can always try again.

I would love to see this Match Rifle in "the flesh", as it were. Any idea when you will be at Bisley with it ?

[Strangely Brown]

I would love to see this Match Rifle in "the flesh", as it were. Any idea when you will be at Bisley with it ?

I missed the HBSA long range practice this Saturday due to a family wedding in Sussex and had planned to use it then.
Do you belong to the NRA club? I am shooting this Thursday with them and could bring it along.
I am also taking my P14 into Fultons to see if they have any back position woodwork festering out the back.

[targetman]

Mick

Not this Thursday.......I do most of my shooting on Wednesdays but I sometimes get along to Bisley at the weekends, mainly for Arms Fairs and the like.

I belong to the NRA Club but have not shot with them for some time as they no longer do Wednesdays.

I will be in Fultons on Wednesday, I will see if they have any more Match Rifles, I have a "cunning plan" to overcome the eyesight problem.