I always have my eye open for military trainers but usually they go for real premiums given it attracts military collectors as well I guess. This one I was pleased at the price and definitely when I got it. It is as new. It still had cosmoline or something like that I had to clean off some parts, and adhesive tape residue around the two part stock that looked like part of the original packing? Acetone got that all off and it looks like it came off the factory floor. Not a mark on it. This is marked “tgf”which I read were rifles sent to the East Germany military circa 1947-9?. Very cool to me is it has the Cech military acceptance mark. I am assuming that the East Germans never used these and I believe they were imported after the fall of the wall? But don’t know the details? It shooting 455 fps with 7.7 round ball which is what it should be.Here are pics:
Quote from: 45flint on April 15, 2023, 08:39:18 PMI always have my eye open for military trainers but usually they go for real premiums given it attracts military collectors as well I guess. This one I was pleased at the price and definitely when I got it. It is as new. It still had cosmoline or something like that I had to clean off some parts, and adhesive tape residue around the two part stock that looked like part of the original packing? Acetone got that all off and it looks like it came off the factory floor. Not a mark on it. This is marked “tgf”which I read were rifles sent to the East Germany military circa 1947-9?. Very cool to me is it has the Cech military acceptance mark. I am assuming that the East Germans never used these and I believe they were imported after the fall of the wall? But don’t know the details? It shooting 455 fps with 7.7 round ball which is what it should be.Here are pics:Is it a springer? How does it cock? I don't see any obvious levers and it doesn't look like a break barrel.
Wow that's, NOS!This is likely the most desirable military trainer ever and it was never even approved by the military. BSA Military Pattern from 1912. Only 420 made and how many remain? I'd probably consider letting it go for 4k. Cocks and loads like any BSA prewar (except the 1930's breakdown pattern). The bolt is a dummy. Has a standard Enfield buttstock. The bolt might be same as Enfield, not sure off hand. Replicates the Long Lee Enfields. Built just as well in the same plant.The BSA collector holy grail.
WOW Steve!I mean ... WOW!If anyone other than you told me this was an airgun I would have called "Balderdash".
Did someone say military trainer air rifles? My last acquisition, and maybe my last acquisition...who knows!Mars 115, no maker name, so probably after the pre-WW" Venus Waffenwerk version and before the post-WW2 August Bebel Werk one.Based on the Mauser Kar98-k, of course.
I wonder how they proof tested it.
Been looking for one of those but everyone I seen over here is just crazily priced. I have an extensive collection of airguns from the manufacturers of Zella Mehlis. Saw one unmarked over here.
Quote from: 45flint on April 24, 2023, 07:07:48 PMBeen looking for one of those but everyone I seen over here is just crazily priced. I have an extensive collection of airguns from the manufacturers of Zella Mehlis. Saw one unmarked over here.Yes, they are very much sought after. There are 2 (1x Venus, 1x August Bebel) for auction right now on egun.de and I'm interested to see what they fetch. An acquaintance in Germany just sold one in excellent condition for €1'100, and the last 2 I've seen before that went for 900 and 1'000. Mine was complete but in poor shape, and it was advertised for a few months before I decided to go for it and haggle on the price. In the end I paid well below what it's worth after I restored it.
There is a very rare mechanism that replaces the bolt of a Swiss K-31 that converts it to shoot BB's and maybe pellets, not sure.It has a straw barrel that lines the 7.5mm bore of the rifle.The ultimate training air rifle...