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This is my first post after finding this site on a Google search for 1889 Belgian Mausers. As a shooter, hunter for 40+ years & with 13 years in the firearms industry in the '70's & '80's I don't know anything about these guns, but I'm becoming very interested all of a sudden.
I have just inherited a Hopkins & Allen 1889 barreled action w/ matching bolt that needs parts. The rifle is in new & unfired condition internally - mirror bright chamber, no primer burns/marks on the bolt face, bolt lugs unmarked etc.. The inside of the barrel wiped almost clean on a couple wet patches and the lands appear sharp and bright. Externally there is some light corrosion everywhere that appears to be cleanable with an emory cloth or steel wool, but no pitting or dents /dings anywhere on the metal work. The stamped proof marks & secondary parts marks, H&A branding, matching SR #'s on bolt, receiver & barrel are all clean and legible. There is some light screwdriver buggery on the bolt's wing over safety's screw, otherwise no other metal "damage" anywhere. The trigger has some blueing left on the upper side flats, and appears original but the 2 step lump I'm familiar with on WW II era '98 Mausers is missing, with a looong uninterupted trigger pull.
However I need to find the following parts to make this gun complete: a firing pin, a barrel jacket & sights, all the bottom metal and trigger guard & a stock w/ all the fittings. Please don't laugh as I know this may be impossible, I'll have to see what can be had as time is no object until my own passing.
I came by the gun from a would be step father figure who passed away earlier this year. The family "tale" of it's acquisition as a battlefield pickup on Iwo Jima during the invasion stretchs my imagination. I really think it came most likely as winnings from a domino or card game at the Fire House, where the old gentleman had been for many years, or as a tall tale to shut up two inqusitive teenaged boys. He never spoke of his years from 1939 to 1946 in the Marine Corps spent in the Pacific, or his 4 1st Day invasion experiences while I lived with his family. I know personally that the old gentleman never fired another gun from 1959 to his death in March 2008, but talked occasionally of "fixing this one up".
I last saw this gun in about 1963, stored in a closet until 2 weeks ago, and knew nothing about it until the last several weeks. Surprisingly it was always described as an Arisaka, which tickled my gunsmith immensely. I'd really like to restore it to a shootable condition, whether it ever gets shot is another issue in it's unfired condition. Whatever happens, it will never be sold, but passed along to my extended "family" or my own sons.
Any help, advice or directions would be greatly appreciated
Ron
I have just inherited a Hopkins & Allen 1889 barreled action w/ matching bolt that needs parts. The rifle is in new & unfired condition internally - mirror bright chamber, no primer burns/marks on the bolt face, bolt lugs unmarked etc.. The inside of the barrel wiped almost clean on a couple wet patches and the lands appear sharp and bright. Externally there is some light corrosion everywhere that appears to be cleanable with an emory cloth or steel wool, but no pitting or dents /dings anywhere on the metal work. The stamped proof marks & secondary parts marks, H&A branding, matching SR #'s on bolt, receiver & barrel are all clean and legible. There is some light screwdriver buggery on the bolt's wing over safety's screw, otherwise no other metal "damage" anywhere. The trigger has some blueing left on the upper side flats, and appears original but the 2 step lump I'm familiar with on WW II era '98 Mausers is missing, with a looong uninterupted trigger pull.
However I need to find the following parts to make this gun complete: a firing pin, a barrel jacket & sights, all the bottom metal and trigger guard & a stock w/ all the fittings. Please don't laugh as I know this may be impossible, I'll have to see what can be had as time is no object until my own passing.
I came by the gun from a would be step father figure who passed away earlier this year. The family "tale" of it's acquisition as a battlefield pickup on Iwo Jima during the invasion stretchs my imagination. I really think it came most likely as winnings from a domino or card game at the Fire House, where the old gentleman had been for many years, or as a tall tale to shut up two inqusitive teenaged boys. He never spoke of his years from 1939 to 1946 in the Marine Corps spent in the Pacific, or his 4 1st Day invasion experiences while I lived with his family. I know personally that the old gentleman never fired another gun from 1959 to his death in March 2008, but talked occasionally of "fixing this one up".
I last saw this gun in about 1963, stored in a closet until 2 weeks ago, and knew nothing about it until the last several weeks. Surprisingly it was always described as an Arisaka, which tickled my gunsmith immensely. I'd really like to restore it to a shootable condition, whether it ever gets shot is another issue in it's unfired condition. Whatever happens, it will never be sold, but passed along to my extended "family" or my own sons.
Any help, advice or directions would be greatly appreciated
Ron