Yeah, don't everybody get excited. 
A buddy of mine came in to work one day and asked if I had any idea what "this thing" was. "This thing" looked like a barrelled action, stuck in what used to be a proper stock that had been chewed by angry beavers into an approximation of a sporter stock. The poor thing looked like it had been allowed to sit in a damp garage for 60+ years, because, well, that is what happened to it. A friend had given it to him, after it was found it during the cleaning-out a deceased relative's residence.
It was marked "Budapest" and "95". I hopped in Ye Olde Intarwebbe and was able to determine that it used to be a Budapest-marked Steyr M95 straight-pull, and I could use my eyes to determine that it was now a pretty much worthless wreck. I have no idea if it was a rifle, carbine or Stutzen before it met with Bubba, but it is now about 16" of pitted barrel. I'm also not sure if it was rechambered to take 8mm Mauser, or if it is in original 8x56R trim (I'm guessing original, as there are no markings to indicate the new caliber).
Well, he thanked me for the identification help, and took it home. A few days later he asked me if I wanted it. I asked him what he was going to do with it if I said no, and he said nothing, probably destroy it or part it out for Numrich or a gunshow sale (the receiver isn't terrible, probably the one part on the rifle that is salvagable). I said sure, I'd take it, if he was giving it away.
So, I now own a Steyr M95 straight pull, with no bolt, a badly pitted barrel, and a stock that looks like it was used for a middle school woodworking shop project. And, of course, I have no ammo, no clips, and none of the missing parts to get it running again.
So. What to do with it? I plan to use it as a platform for practicing restoration. I mean, I can't really screw it up any more than it is. I'll clean off the rust, try my hand at rebluing some parts, etc. I can see that Numrich has some parts for them. I'll at least order a complete bolt, and see if I can get this thing to shoot. then I'll decide if rebarrelling is necessary, or worthwhile.
Anyone have any advice? And yes, I'll post pics when I'm able.
Mike
A buddy of mine came in to work one day and asked if I had any idea what "this thing" was. "This thing" looked like a barrelled action, stuck in what used to be a proper stock that had been chewed by angry beavers into an approximation of a sporter stock. The poor thing looked like it had been allowed to sit in a damp garage for 60+ years, because, well, that is what happened to it. A friend had given it to him, after it was found it during the cleaning-out a deceased relative's residence.
It was marked "Budapest" and "95". I hopped in Ye Olde Intarwebbe and was able to determine that it used to be a Budapest-marked Steyr M95 straight-pull, and I could use my eyes to determine that it was now a pretty much worthless wreck. I have no idea if it was a rifle, carbine or Stutzen before it met with Bubba, but it is now about 16" of pitted barrel. I'm also not sure if it was rechambered to take 8mm Mauser, or if it is in original 8x56R trim (I'm guessing original, as there are no markings to indicate the new caliber).
Well, he thanked me for the identification help, and took it home. A few days later he asked me if I wanted it. I asked him what he was going to do with it if I said no, and he said nothing, probably destroy it or part it out for Numrich or a gunshow sale (the receiver isn't terrible, probably the one part on the rifle that is salvagable). I said sure, I'd take it, if he was giving it away.
So, I now own a Steyr M95 straight pull, with no bolt, a badly pitted barrel, and a stock that looks like it was used for a middle school woodworking shop project. And, of course, I have no ammo, no clips, and none of the missing parts to get it running again.
So. What to do with it? I plan to use it as a platform for practicing restoration. I mean, I can't really screw it up any more than it is. I'll clean off the rust, try my hand at rebluing some parts, etc. I can see that Numrich has some parts for them. I'll at least order a complete bolt, and see if I can get this thing to shoot. then I'll decide if rebarrelling is necessary, or worthwhile.
Anyone have any advice? And yes, I'll post pics when I'm able.
Mike