I was looking into these some years ago, and there was a raft of them that sold on that California gun auction house, the one that takes the good pictures of the stuff on consignment. The name will come to me. I don't know if they have a completed auction search function, but they sold 10 or more of them over a 6 month period IIRC.
Good luck.

 

That was Lock Stock and Barrel, I have those numbers, the numbers listed on the 2 Omark threads on this site, as well as most of the currently offered ones for sale in NZ and Australia that have the serials listed. Many thanks for the suggestion though.

 

There is a web page for Sportco rifles with an info link. I do know serial numbers are being collected for the M44, as well as the other models.
Try www.sportco.org.au and click on information kit for contents or sportcoinfo@gmail.com.

 

Fritz, the markings were ....Sportco model 44 made in Australia, from DA to DD.
Sportco model 44 made in Australia by Omark, from DE to SDT.
Model 44 made in Australia by Omark, from SDU to SDX.

After Mal Bugden recommenced production from 1987 the three letter prefix ceased to exist, early S/N's were 8700** on until changed to MAB prefix.
When Mal sold out to Tony Argent of TSE the numbers could be anything from someones birthday.....JFC2906 1972, to the final TSE2008 200 style.

Also several variations, at different serial numbers, specific runs of Left Hand rifles were made, this could be the first 50, or last 50 in that prefix, this became 200 at later prefix's and finally an entire run prefixed SLH.

The PALMA rifles were separate again, PM82-***, 100 RH and 20 LH. The last Palma run was in 1986.

British Rifles were prefixed with a T, for example TDF517

Trial Sniper Rifles were SDP prefix including .22 examples.

The change from 2 digit to 3 digit Prefix was during the DL run, becoming SDL, both prefix's were observed with no obvious start or finish, but stabilized by SDM.

The Omark Timeline is aprox. DA-'68, DB-'69, DC-'70, DD-'71, DE-'71, DF-'72, DG-'73, DH-'74, DI-'74/'75, DJ-'75/'76, DK-'77, DL-'78, SDL-'78/'79, SDM-'80, SDN-'81, SDO-'82, SDP-'83/'84, SDQ-'84 SDR-'84. MAB Production SDS to SDU(assembled from parts) 1985 and SDV to SDW-'1986. MAB serial numbers until 2003, then TSE numbers.

 

Muffet2008,

Great data, I have seen you post such summaries before. However it does not match what I am seeing in serial numbers where I am able to correlate dates by either purchase records or by known events (such as the three dated Palma rifles, 72, 79 and 82).

1) There is a D with out a prefix, early 1969 production. I have 4 serial numbers in that series, up to 193X. All these rifles are in OZ, none seem to have been exported, all in early handguard configuration.

2) DG is most definitely 1970 production, as I have a sample from the UP DG003X which has a BSA commercial proof of 1970 (crossed swords, VX).

3) DK83X region is no later than June of 1972, as the Canadian Palma rifles which were shipped no later than late June are in that region.

4) SDU57X to SDU62X corresponds to the 1979 NZ Palma matches, so SDU has to be from that era.

5) Production after 1979 seems to be light a few years, as I have a new purchases record for a rifle SDU90x from 1982

7) SDW75X is no later than 1983, as one with an award plaque from that year appears in the UK.

8) There are whole series I see no numbers at all (DC, DD), which is likely due to a statistically insufficient sample. Right now I have 77 serial numbers taken form the net, auctions articles and various posts on sites like this.

I can send you my data, I would love to see yours. For example how high have you seen the MAB 8700xx serial numbers go? Highest I have seen is 43.

Thanks in advance.

 

This may not contribute much to the year of manufacture. My Omark action and bolt are now on an F-class rifle with an aluminium chassis (I won't call it a stock).

The attached photo is not the best, sorry. On the left hand side of the receiver is stamped:

SPORTCO MODEL 44
MADE IN AUSTRALIA BY OMARK
DF12* 7.62mm. CAL (A)

Cheers

 

Tracking down actual dates has always been a problem, of the four models, A,B,C and D, only the A series were easy to place.
The first 500 DA Prefix rifles were recalled and receivers replaced with one with longer rear bearing surface.
I think DC and DD, (DD being the first of the B series) were for export, England and South Africa.
C series were from about 1979 and D series from 1982.

My Rifle Club records show a distribution of B,C and D rifles over the period.
My recollections of the time were that rifles were purchased from the State Associations from the selection held at the time, this could be any serial prefix or model, depending on price and preference, as there was no distinction between what was currently in stock.....if you wanted a D series and they only had B and C, then you either waited until they came in to store, or ordered direct from Sportco.
Most serious Club members had more than one rifle, My current holdings are six, they are making a big resurgence here in OZ as F Class rifles, being a cheap and reliable entry into Scoped shooting.

Early production using date prefix's 87,88,89.....up to 02 before the Prefix MAB I think were a continuation, the first I have is 87001 and the number keeps climbing with the date prefix to 028423, left handed rifles in this sequence had an extra digit, 870001.
Dedicated Palma production was separate from some of the Palma matches, the early 70's matches were with ordinary Serial numbers, but the dedicated Official Palma Rifles, for '82, '84 and '86, were all PM prefix.

 

Hi muffett.2008 - suggest you contact Gary F******** at address #4 above. He is from a family of well known Adelaide Gunsmiths active throughout the time of the Sportco enterprise and webmaster of the site. I'm sure you both could be of great help to each other.

 

Fritz, I've started to put my files onto computer in order to get them to you, will need an email address.....pm me.

Back in the mid '80's in Brisbane, Mal Bugden started to set up a stand at Belmont Rifle Range, near the smallbore range where I used to camp for the Queens shoots.
We got to know each other pretty well, I did a fair bit of business with him and Tony Argent, still use TSE barrels from Tony to do most of my customers....including rebarreling Omarks, with original style barrels or adapters and target barrels.
Sportco /Omark production was on a relatively small scale, OZ is not a large population country, only a thousand a month basically, only about 25,000 in total made, very few would have made it to America.
The rifles made for the Palma matches were sold off in the countries in which the event was held, a few more may have found their way over there, but numbers would be limited, NZ, South Africa and England had limited stocks, but by the early 80's other custom target rifles began to appear.

Seems strange that someone from a distant country would be researching a Limited OZ production run, but I will help where I can.

 

muffett.2008

Many thanks for your offer, I have PMed you.

How a Yank became a fan of the Omark rifle is a long story involving two trips to the Canadian full-bore nationals, a full bore shooting trip to Malabar range Australia, a 1993 swap meet at Camp Perry, 1500 spent on a whim to Bob Jones for two commonwealth Palma rifles and volume 6 of Jim Sweet's book. In essence of all of the 7.62 Nato UK/commonwealth pattern rifles optimized in the 1968 to 1995 time period, The Omark is my favorite (less 7.62 Enfields), over the PH1200TX, Swedish CG63E, Danish 58E, SA Musgrave and the PH 84/L81A1 rifles. It comes down to engineering.

The Sportco/Omark 44, from the early 1969 plain Jane version to the late 1980s MAB versions represents a lower cost rifle that can really shoot well with ball ammunition and hang with the Gruneig/Steyr 69 match rifle(s) at long range . The 44 and the Australian target sights have a lot of appeal on the minimalist level when the LR match rifles of today are pretty much something that looks like they came out of star war films.

They are very uncommon in the US, though not difficult to get if you are willing to import. Not a lot of interest either, you could build a really good representative collection here for the price of one 300 H& H Winchester model 70 match rifle from the 1950s.

 

A new question: what about the model numbers 44A, 44B, 44C, 44D?

here is what I have found on models:

44a: walnut stock with handguard, .308 to .3085 barrel 1-12 twist, external band, safety, Sportco name, serial prefix DA to ?

44(?) walnut stock with handguard, .3065 to .307 barel, 1-12 twist, external band, safety, Sportco name, Prefix ? to DK to ?

44(?) walnut or beech stock, with handguard 1-12 twist, internal band, safety, Sportco name, Prefix DL to SDO ?

44(?) Beech stock, no handguard, 1-12 and 1-13 twist, safety, Omark name, Prefix SDP to SPN? (note: some seem to indicate these rifles used an imported S&L Danish barrel, so might be retrofits)

44(D) Beech heavy forend stock, heavy barrel 1-14 twist (?) safety, Prefix SDU to ?

44R, 44L, Beech stock, full match pattern, NO safety, made by MSE, heavy barrel 1-14 twist MSE xx(year) -xxxx(sequential number)

44? TSE made never seen one or picture of same.

which leads to the question, what makes a 44 a B or C model? I have heard the rifles without handguard called B, which leaves no place for a C model. Was a tight barrel on an A pattern and the later stocks without handguards a B pattern?


Thanks to Muffet.2008 for his already considerable help. Thanks to anyone who can clarify.

 

A - Round receiver, round bolt, small bolthead retaining pin, front top wood external retaining band, 26.5" tapered barrel, short knox, A series trigger(front pivot)

B - Round receiver, round bolt, small bolthead retaining pin, front top wood internal bracket, 27.5 heavier barrel, A series trigger.

C - Receiver with flat and tapped for top sight bracket, Bolt with sear clearance flat, large bolthead retaining pin, barrel with long knox, one piece stock, multiple choice of barrels - Omark, Black Mountain, Shultz and Larsen...…

D - Receiver with flat and tapped, Bolt sear clearance flat, 28" heavy profile barrel, no top handguard, three piece laminate stock, B series trigger (rear pivot)

May have missed a few points, but hey....I am getting old.
Timber was Coachwood on early stocks, then other Aussie timbers until aftermarket stocks became available.

 

A - Round receiver, round bolt, front top wood retaining band, 26.5" barrel- short knox, A series trigger(front pivot), concealed bolt release.

B - Round receiver, round bolt, front top wood internal bracket, 27.5" heavier barrel, A series trigger, concealed bolt release.

C - Receiver with flat and tapped rear hole for PH Bracket, bolt sear clearance flat, barrel with long knox, one piece stock, multiple choice barrels - Omark, Black Mountain, Shultz and Larsen..... exposed bolt release.

D - Receiver with flat and tapped, bolt sear clearance flat, 28" heavy barrel, no top handguard, 3 piece laminate stock, B series trigger(rear pivot), exposed bolt release.

Original timber was Coachwood, then other Aussie native timbers, aftermarket stocks were available.

There are possibly more, but hey, I'm an old man.

 

Many thanks. In particular the barrel issue has been confusing, I have some stuff to send to you today at lunch on Palma rifles.

You help is very much appreciated, there is very little written on these rifles here in the US.

 

Palma Match Omark

Hi 1979 New Zealand Palma Match Omark SDU617 The Medal is from 1988

 

I also have a 1979 New Zealand Palma rifle, serial # SDU57X.

 

Gday, my newly acquired Omark 44 has a s/n D1512. I cant find anything relating to when this was made, if you can help and also what should the twist be? Cheers and Merry Xmas.

 

I have a Sportco 44 with serial DE 046 apparently putting it around 1972. However, it has the heavy free floated barrel and a stock with no upper handguard usually found on a later production model. Could this be factory or good chance retrofitted.

Is there a series where the bolt head pin was updated and standardized to the heavier pin?

 

Yes it has been updated.

 

I know this is an older Post. I am from Canada and currently own 2 of these rifles. My newest one has a SN of SDV737 and the second one is currently at the gunsmiths being converted to 6.5CM and I don't remember the SN on it. BUT I will update this soon. Thank you all for the information above.

 

Hi.
I have
DE328 BOLT ONLY
DI224 ORIGANAL STOCK
SLH028 LECT HANDED
SDP656
SDO424
HOPE IT HELPS.

 

Not sure if this will help, but i attended a rifle camp with Royal Canadian Army Cadets in 1981 and they issued all of us a model 44 sportco. They had over 100 of them including lefthand models. If You're able to contact them I'm sure they can give You a ton of numbers.

Connaught National Army Cadet Summer Training Centre - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

This link may help to guide You in the right direction.

 

There is a web site 'www.sportco.org.au' but now appears inactive.
However the e-mail address is 'sportcoinfo@gmail.com'. The administrator is still around, so maybe give it a go.

 

I actually have the Sportco 44 code and dates figures out, more or less, The less due to the fact as they used selective fits there is some range about any given serial number. Have a bunch of design notes as well. Thanks for those who answered.

That said, how many folks are still using them in 2021? On the competitive long range sites they do not get much mention anymore, indeed in New Zealand and Canada they seem to have been displaced almost entirely By 4 lug RPA like and Barnard 3 lug actions. Australia seems to still have a lot about, but very few mentions of their use other by either older shooters or new shooters trying out the Fullbore sport.

 

I still do