So should I carefully try to take it out and see or leave it alone? Would replacing the screws devalue the gun? I've done some novice gun smithing but I don't want to do anything to the value! What would you guys do? Also, did these normally come with a muzzle cover? Also, It has laminate wood on the top piece!
swjXE numbers matching and all origional
- Thread starter redrider
- Start date
Leave it alone unless you intend to keep it. I've seen "novice gun smiths" cause much more damage trying to "fix" something than had they just left it alone.
Standard "2nd" pattern metal muzzle cover. As issued, that rifle would have a sight cover and a rubber muzzle cap. The muzzle cover depicted was for rifles manufactured prior to 1941 without an integral sight hood. Though, since it probably came back like that, or whomever had it long ago put it on there. I'd keep it all together as it's a $25-50 item and they are very easy to find.
Laminate hand guard is common to see with walnut stock on 45 steyr.
That muzzle cover is the early version. It shouldn't work with your rifle as yours should have a sight hood.
Sometime After the sight hood was introduced a rubber muzzle cap was brought out. That would be more of what yours should have. Both my 45 dated rifles came with this type of cap.
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That muzzle cover is the early version. It shouldn't work with your rifle as yours should have a sight hood.
Sometime After the sight hood was introduced a rubber muzzle cap was brought out. That would be more of what yours should have. Both my 45 dated rifles came with this type of cap.
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mike radford
Senior Member
I agree with Hambone. The chances of doing harm are mild to moderate and the need to "fix" it is pretty much non-existent. That rifle will be desirable just as it is and nobody that knows what it is will be adversely influenced by the fact that the band is on backwards. They will also accept the front action screw and what somebody tried to do around that area as just part of the history like stuff happens and perfect does not exist. I just think you will gain nothing.
It does look like it never had a screw in that front band, which is good. I would definitely not add one even if it was certified as an original screw by half the guys here(because it apparently never had one, not because they would not know a correct screw).
Great thread.
I agree, most late bnz45's that are unfinished never had screws. This gun may have been put together by GI's at the factory too. It has no firing proof which is a feature of some really late Steyr rifles. Steyr was odd, they completely finished the rifle (phosphate and all) before pressure test proofing, so you find completely numbered guns that were not fire proofed yet. As far as I know they put a proof round in the chamber and tied a string to the trigger, with the gun sitting on logs outside the building. LOL. OK, that's a stretch.
I'd try to find out why the triggerguard isn't fitting right, but don't do any more damage and you will be fine.
I'd try to find out why the triggerguard isn't fitting right, but don't do any more damage and you will be fine.
That one doesn't look like it ever had the hood installed, either. Not really surprising given that it is unfinished.
I would concur. Leave it alone.
Winchester Cowboy
Senior Member
mike radford
Senior Member
Wow. Wood looks especially great. Thanks.
Ok! There they are. Let me know if I missed anything. As you can see there is a crack along the right side of the action(bummer)! There are some dings in the stock, but other than that it looks pretty clean. The bore looks dusty, but I don't want to punch it. I just wiped the dust off everything with a dry rag. Let me know what you guys think. I agree about the GI putting it together with maybe a rear action bolt and then trying to hammer it in or something? I'm going to try to contact the guy I bought it from and get his Uncles email to ask what the story is. Thx again!
Imagine that, you are the first to do it. Typical.
mike radford
Senior Member
I also hate rust. I would use a patch or two of bore cleaner, very carefully to keep it only in the bore, and again carefully add Rust Inhibiting Grease to the bore for long term protection.