Rare Rifle?

[T. Scott]

Hi,

I am new to this forum and I am just getting started in benchrest shooting.

I just bought a 98 Mauser that was made by Al Marciante, master gunsmith and one of the founding fathers of NBRSA. The barrel was supposedly made by William Sukalle of Phoenix, and is stamped "8 6 47" on the bottom. I am wondering if this is the rifle that Mr. Marciante used in the first "official" match on Labor Day weekend in 1947.

Are there records of what was shot back then? I know that this is probably rare just by being a Marciante rifle, but if it is from the first match, I probably shouldn't be learning to shoot with it and developing loads, right?

Thanks for any input, Scott

 

[T. Scott]

Here is a picture

This is the underside of the barrel. Although I don't see the William Sukalle "S" in an oval, I did read that this is how he stamped the date on his barrels.

Thanks, Scott

 

[Butch Lambert]

Scott, there is a difference in rare and valuable. I would shoot it for fun. It will not be competitive, but will be fun. If it has a used up bore or you use it up, it can be relined.
Butch

 

[GerryM]

Too bad Warren Page isn't around They were pals and shooting partners. A lot was written about the old matches,
Research is in order i guess, Some shot 22/250 cals and others the donalson wasp. Maybe in one of Harvey Donalson,s books there may be a mention of the rifle. In any event ,Its a great conversation piece.

 

[T. Scott]

Some more info and better pics

Hi Guys,
It is a 22/250, built on a Erfurt Mauser 98 action. From my best measurements, it has a 1 in 14" twist. It has double triggers. The fixed 10X Unertl scope is in rough shape, but that is just on the outside, the optics are clear. The stock is simple and beautiful. Here are a couple of pictures.

I am going to my first match on the 13th. Hopefully I will have my front rest built by then (I'm a hobby machinist) so I can see what it's capable of.

Thanks for all your help, Scott

 

[Butch Lambert]

Mr Scott,
Nice rifle, you should have fun with. Looks like it was built as varmint hunting rifle.
Butch

 

[T. Scott]

Thanks Butch,

I really like the stock on it. I did get to put 10 rounds through it this past weekend, but I am looking forward to this coming weekend now that I kind of understand the principle behind the Unertl mounting system. I think that between me and the rifle, it is probably more accurate than I am capable of being for the time being.

Thanks again, Scott

 

[tim]

Nice rifle, Marine corps marathon impressive as well.

 

[T. Scott]

Thanks Tim,

I just started running last year after a lung injury at work had me down for almost six months. I ran before when I was in the Marines in 86, but I didn't care for it then. Now I love running.

 

[ScottD]

According to my 1949 "Ultimate in Rifle Precision" Al shot in the 1947 match at Johnstown winning match #14 small group with a 10/32 in. using a rifle "swift"

In 1948 he shot in the DuBois matches with a 100 yard average of .6484 using a D.Wasp smithed by Vaughn Cail of New Haven Conn. with a Gregorie barrel and RCBS bullets.

Al Marciante also wrote chapter 5 "Chambering a Rifle Barrel".

The last paragraph.... Well, now you have gone and done it. No secrets, no halo around your head, but if you are doing the job for someone else, and all is not right, you are eligible for having the barrel wrapped around your neck.

 

[ScottD]

1949matches at DuBois PA. Al Marciante competed in the 100 yard event. He finished 5th and 8th? Shooting two rifles maybe? He finished 2nd in "daily average" behind M.H. Walker. Others competitors included Clair Taylor(1st) Sam Clark, Don Robbins (Taylor & Robbins fame), Rk Nelson, F.Hakes (who lived across the street from my grandmother), L.R. Wallack.

There is a note that Gene Hudgins won the ten shot 200 yard Donaldson Trophy at Johnstown 1949 shooting a model 70 Swift chambered by Al Marciante.

Unless you won, there is no mention about equipment.

 

[T. Scott]

Scott,

Thanks for the info. Though it now seems it wasn't in the first match like I had hoped, I am still happy beyond words to simply have a beautiful rifle built by a revered man like Al.

Thanks, Scott