This
is an interesting rifle. Apparently, Indonesia, a former Dutch colony, had
a large number of these rifles and carbines after WWII. Needing guns that
could shoot the more readily available .303 British round, they
rechambered and often shortened these rifles to what you see pictured. The
gun was originally a rifle, made in Hembreg 1919. The receiver shows a new
serial #, the date 1952 and 'Cal. 7.7', another name for .303.
I found this particular sample
whilst on a road trip to visit the distributor, Springfield Sporters, in
the fall of 1999. I'd only seen one other, in Zanes Gun Rack in Columbus,
OH.
While there in SS show room, I saw a
rack with 5-6 of these carbines and 2 of the rifles so modified. I picked
the best rifle (Both were really Fair to Poor condition) and sorted
through the carbines to find a decent one. I then noticed several
variations. The muzzle brake slots varied widely in position, shape and
number. A few stocks had provisions for cleaning rods, some had true
carbine stocks, some had shortened rifle stocks (like the one pictured). I
paid $70 each. |
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