Another toy in cupboard....

[targetman]

I recently acquired a .303" Steyr Mannlicher actioned Match Rifle. The rifle was built in 1947 by John C. Knott who was born in my home town of Epsom.

http://www.rifleman.org.uk/John_Knott.htm

Near the bottom of the page is a newspaper cutting showing the rifle in it's original form fitted with a Parker-Hale "Targetscope" It was later altered by the fitment of a ladder sight on the rear of the butt and an optical foresight. The stock is a beauty, I am told it is Sycamore, the comb can be removed for for cleaning...indeed that is the only way the bolt can be removed.

After some searching I have found an original Parker Hale "Targetscope" which I show in the following photos. The scope cost more than the rifle..... :lol: :lol:

[Sandgroper]

Not quite my type of rifle - but very very nice, lucky you.

[Christel]

Wood is lovely clapclap

Had to ask Ovenpaa who told me the sight is a back sight. A back rifle...you know, first time I have ever seen one!

Are you shooting it as a back rifle?

[dromia]

Very Nice indeed.

I do love recumbents.

When I was a stalker I used to have a shooter that took beasts from the back position, been fascinated by them ever since.

[targetman]

Are you shooting it as a back rifle?

I will try both and see which suits best

I have another back position Match Rifle on the same type of action but in 7.62. I have only just got that fixed up and hope to try both at the end of August....

[lapua338]

It's a fine looking rifle.

I'd be interested to know how well it shoots.

[ovenpaa]

I have always been curious about these things, am I correct in thinking you cannot use artificial means such a a cushion to support your head in competitions?

[targetman]

I have always been curious about these things, am I correct in thinking you cannot use artificial means such a a cushion to support your head in competitions?

Thats right, no other means that touch the ground is the easiest way to explain it. Some have used a band around their heads then around either their knee or wrist....some use a band around the wrist and a "teething ring" which they grasp with their teeth to support their head. Most just use neck muscles, some use their arm behind their head and thier fingers are permitted to make contact with the ground.......In truth it is not as uncomfortable as it sounds but the course of fire can be very long, so you can clearly see why prone with a scope is the most common way to go these days. Although there adherants to the supine position who use a scope mounted way back, the position is considered to be very stable....see the attached photo.

For myself, I am only putting this (and another in 7.62) together purely as part of a collection of Bisley type competition rifles....

[Burner]

Interesting! First comp rifle I have ever seen made on a GEW 88 style receiver.

I really need to try "back" shooting some time.

[rox]

Interesting! First comp rifle I have ever seen made on a GEW 88 style receiver.

I really need to try "back" shooting some time.

Here's another back gun of military origin: