Bolt Action Rifles

A Sneaky Swiss Sniper for Israel: the ZK-31

September 6, 2023 Ian McCollum 12

In 1949, Israel was still fighting its was of independence, and purchasing arms internationally was difficult to do. The recently-formalized IDF wanted sniper rifles, and looked to Hammerli in Switzerland for a variant of the […]

Argentina’s Slightly French Model 1909 SOM Sniper

August 11, 2023 Ian McCollum 5

Argentina was one of the first countries to adopt Mauser rifles, with the Model 1891. These were replaced by newer Model 1909 rifles a couple decades later, and in 1913 they bought 500 telescopic sights […]

Prototype Hungarian 33M Bolt Action Rifle

August 4, 2023 Ian McCollum 2

When Hungary separated from the Austro-Hungarian Empire after World War One, it began to slowly rebuild its military equipment. The eventually led to carbine conversions of old M95 rifles using the new 8x56mm rimmed cartridge, […]

Otterup Model 69: From German Sword to Danish Plowshare

July 21, 2023 Ian McCollum 9

The Schultz & Larsen company in Otterup, Denmark was a venture formed by a gunsmithing shop and a very successful target shooter to make precision rifles. In 1919, they are able to purchase a bunch […]

No Clip, No Problem! Ethiopian Gunsmithing Solutions (Berthier)

July 19, 2023 Ian McCollum 8

While helping to unpack a new shipment of French rifles at IO Inc / Royal Tiger Imports, I came across several examples of Berthiers that were modified to not use clips. There were a couple […]

The Rarest Chassepot: Rifle for the African Cavalry

July 14, 2023 Ian McCollum 8

“Chassepot to FAMAS: French Military Rifles 1866-2016” is in stock and shipping now: https://www.headstamppublishing.com/purchase The rarest pattern of factory-made Chassepot is the fusil modèle 1866 pour la cavalerie d’afrique – the Model 1866 rifle for […]