Bnz 45

[don w]

Guys,

Here is one I posted some time ago.

This one is the only BNZ 45 known to have a serial number in the Stock's Barrel Channel & the only K98k I have seen so far to have the serial number in the sling keeper inlet. This one is one of two, currently known BNZ45's to have all four serial number digits stamped into the Rear Sight Leaf and Rear Sight Elevation Ramp.

Enjoy.

 

[don w]

one more pic I didnt upload

 

[mja_20]

well that is an interesting rifle. Whats the back story to this if you wouldn't mind?

 

[don w]

well that is an interesting rifle. Whats the back story to this if you wouldn't mind?

I bought this in '97. When I bought it, it was covered in grease, rust, suet, dirt, and paint. The existing Handguard is a replacement. The original was nothing more than a wood "biscut" . It was broken off just passed the rear band. The top of the barrel was exposed and covered in rust and suet
I was claening the stock for a week before I got the dirt and paint out of the keeper inlet and noticed the serial number there. When I called the previous owner concerning the serial number in the inlet, he didnt know it was there.


I am still cleaning it, but now I just mostly wipe it down with Balistol.

I think this was a "fireplace gun" as the stock on the upper left side seems a bit dark.

 

[touhy]

donal, are the bands and fp numbered? seeing if i could add an 'except' to the stock numbered then bands numbered rule of thumb.

 

[Turbo Archie]

Could this have to do with the start of a new SN (4100) ?

Some type of test gun? Every 100?

way cool!!

..

 

[Bigdibbs88]

Cool rifle. A few more questions... is that a bnz shield on the barrel code? do you have pics of the FP and TG?

 

[don w]

Hey guys,

I just logged back on. The bands are KM, and unnumbered. The FP byf , e/135, blued) and the TG ( svw, e/135, phosphated) are both unnumbered.

I think one pic may show some of the Barrel Code. Yes, its a BNZ shield.

Here are some pics. The band screws were bogus when I bought it and I am in search of Steyr screws. The screws on it now appear to be Czech. I put those on it becuase they're phosphated.

Anyway,hereare some more pics.

 

[don w]

Hi TA,

I had that same thought too. I was thinking it may have been due to every 100 or 1000.
If you are working in poor lighting, then marking the inlet like that may be a good way. You just check with a flashlight.
If you marked the inlet for accountablity, you certainly wouldnt have to worry that way about a tie or colored paper falling off a rifle causing a re-count.

As to the number in the Barrel Channel, and the use of all four digits on the rear sight and ramp-
I spoke with Reinolf Reisinger in Austria about this. He thought, like some other knowledgable people on this forum, that some worker did it for an unknown reason. Could be was in the hospital and brought back to work. Could be a transfered worker from another factory,,could have been a total newbie and didnt know the new format.,,all kinds of scenerios. But who knows ?

 

[Hambone]

Don, reading the post by itself one would be skeptical. Then looking at the pics, that looks completely correct and I'd snap up a rifle like that in a second. Very unusual, and have not seen that in bnz 45 production, or any 45 production. Something is special about that piece and it has to do with serial. Cool rifle, pic stickied.

 

[mrfarb]

I've seen this rifle in hand. While it doesn't make sense, you can't discount every rifle that doesn't fit the template exactly. In reality, the numbered stock doesn't add to the value, it just makes the rifle an oddity. I've seen other odd things at Steyr as well.

Lets be honest- we've seen MAYBE 3% of the total bnz45 production? Yes, we make general assumptions based on observed examples, but there is another 97% of production that we haven't seen- so, would you bet your life on such a small sample? I think not....it's an oddball for sure.

 

[George R.]

DW just out of curiosity, what are the markings on the bolt ( underside of root, fp on backside ) any proofs on shroud.

 

[don w]

DW just out of curiosity, what are the markings on the bolt ( underside of root, fp on backside ) any proofs on shroud.

Hi George,

The marking on the FP is the last 2 digits of the serial number- 00 , phosphate finish, no waff.
The marking on the Cocking Piece is the last two digits of the serial number- 00, blued, no waff.
The only marking on the Bolt Sleeve is the full seriel number, - 4000, blued, no waff.
The underside of the bolt root is a pressure test mark, e/623, and what appaers to be a "4" (?). The bolt body is phosphated. There is no Final Proof visable on the rear of the bolt root.

more pics.

 

[George R.]

Don I looked at my S blocks and they are all stamped with a 3 over 623 proof, when did they change over or is this unique to the late T block, the late s block still has a blued bolt. thoughts?

 

[don w]

Don I looked at my S blocks and they are all stamped with a 3 over 623 proof, when did they change over or is this unique to the late T block, the late s block still has a blued bolt. thoughts?

Hi George,

My S block displays the "3" as well. I have an early "T" block that also has the "3". I will defere you to the experts to answer that question. My guess is that you see the "3" ,and possibly other numbers , throughout the range,,but check with farb, Bruce, Ham and Pisgah.