Recently I've thought I might want to start a small "working" collection of vintage classic hunting rifles. They wouldn't be "safe queens" as I would intend to shoot/hunt with them on occasion.

I'm a history buff of sorts and can appreciate a vintage rifle - although I'm far from an expert being far too young to have experienced the original "heyday" of these rifles.

I have Kimber Montanas in 243 and 280 so I have my modern hunting rifles pretty well covered.

I'd like to tap into the "hive of experience" on this forum have regarding European vs American rifles that might fall into the category of classic hunting rifles. Would you focus on European rifles or American rifles of the period?

Looking at classic hunting rifles (let's say from the 1950's onward) - Husqvarna 1600, early Sakos, FN Mauser, Schultz and Larsen, etc. vs Winchester/Remington/Weatherby/etc.

What would your leaning be around general material quality, fit and finish, etc.?

Thanks in advance.

I think there's something very cool about a Mauser action chambered in a classic African cartridge - 7x57, 7x64, 9.3x62. You can find Husqvarnas and Zastavas and FNs with solid mechanics that just need some refinishing (which a fun way to get to know the rifle too).

If it was me, I'd focus on action type and chambering more than country of origin of the rifle. But there's really no wrong way to be a rifle nut 😁

Simple answer, but it’s one of the reasons I own a JC Higgins Model 50 and a pre-64 Featherweight. Both fit the criteria for me. I’m not as savvy on the European rifles but I’m sure there are many Mauser based rifles that fit the description.

There is something special about Mannlicher Schoenauer rifles. If you want to use optics, look for the 1961 MCA models. Sakos are also nice, as are Brnos and Husqvarnas.

You could build extensive and fascinating collections of rifles from either continent from that period. You just have to choose a direction. Most rifles made then had very high levels of fit and finish even as designs evolved away from the classic pre-war designs, so it’s hard to go wrong in that respect.

For US rifles, I’d want bolt guns from Winchester, Remington, and Savage, lever guns from Winchester, Marlin, and Savage, and pumps from whoever you find interesting. I don’t know enough about single-shots to have an opinion.

Many European arms factories ended up building weapons for the Germans during the war so the Allies targeted and destroyed a lot of them. They didn’t make many sporting rifles after the war, but they did convert a lot of 98ks into sporters for for GIs stationed there. Designs were not standard—it was a cottage industry—and quality ran from superb down to as low as you want to go. They also built multi-barrel designs: combinations, drillings, vierlings, etc., but again I’m out of my league on that.

There’s also a LOT of crossover between US and European rifles from that time. Post-war Europe was starved for hard currency and the US wanted hunting rifles, so many European makers built rifles to export to the US. Fabrique Nationale (FN) in Belgium was the leader, both in finished rifles and in actions supplied to Husqvarna and other makers. In fact, Roy Weatherby built his first rifles on FN actions. Some were sold as European brands, others were sold by American companies like Sears & Roebuck, Montgomery Wards, etc.

In Eastern Europe, Zastava and CZ also turned out variations of the commercial 98 for decades. You could make a fascinating study of arms built behind the Iron Curtain.

In England, old-school makers like Rigby and H&H built rifles, as did newer outfits like Parker-Hale. Spain exported Santa Barbara 98 rifles and actions made in the La Coruna factory under various names. They were relatively faithful copies of the commercial FN 98 despite sometimes questionable metallurgy.

You could go a million directions.


Okie John

Get a couple Browning safaris, made in Belgium on FN actions for Americans. Covered!

Above I jest but I really do like this genre of rifles, American and Euro. They would probably be my go to hunting rifles, alas, I'm irredeemably left handed. Have said for years that if I had bottomless pockets, I'd have a one off mirror image Mannlicher made up, probably in 6.5 swede.

Firearms International Sakos are classics.

Overlooked American classics are the Remington 30, 30S, and 720. Also the Savage Model 20, a favorite of Larry Koller.

Have had a number of 98s, including a Sako High Power and a Husky, both built on FN actions, a Bofors Sako, a couple of 70s Zastavas, JC Higgins M50s, a FN Deluxe, and a Flaigs conversion. Now have a couple built on FN barreled actions and a Heym.

Never had a M-S, but there’s still time.

FN Supremes (30-06 and a 9.3x62 rebore), Walther Model B Mauser's (7x57 and 8x57 brothers), BRNO (375 H&H) and a Krico 222 Rem have been really nice pieces for me.

On the European side of things there's any number of rifles based on Mauser 98s, both military and non-military actions. However there's a number of other interesting and effective options. For a small-game rifle, for example, I'm a fan of the Brno ZKW465 .22 Hornet. There's also the Sako L46, which is another really nice little rifle.

For medium and larger game there are also Brnos like the ZG47 and ZKK 600 series, as well as Sako L57/579 and L61. I also like BSA's Royal and Majestic, and the Husqvarna 1900 (which was also made under a couple of other names). Tikka LSA55s are another good one.

Of course, classic European hunting rifles need not be bolt-actions either. There are any number of single-shots, combinations, doubles and drillings to consider - I've enjoyed hunting with examples of each of these too.

Don't know if these would qualify as classic, but they are European......




Steyr Mannlicher




Sauer 200




Mauser 98's





Sako Riihimaki's







Blaser R93s' Half Stock and Jadg Stutzen


Kipplauf's....



Blaser K95



Merkel K3 EXTREM



Merkel K1's: half stock and Jagd Stutzen


Double



Merkel 141, 8 x 57 JRS


ya!


GWB

PS: What would be a post without at least one pix of a perforated porker!

Not starting, but ending up with! About three years ago, I realized that I only have a few decent hunting years left, so I began selling off my least favorite rifles so that I could concentrate on using those that I like the most. There was nothing wrong with those sold off, They were just not 'special' enough!

I still have too many, but the 'small working collection' includes:

- a 1903 M-S stutzen
- two Brno 22Fs, one 7X57, one 8X57
- a Sako L46 (unfortunately rechambered from 222 to 223 Rem before I got it)
- Winchester M54 30 WCF rifle
- 1903A3 sporter
- a Mexican Mauser sporter
- a Mauser Model S copy apparently made in a backyard shop in Epfendorff, Germany by an Anton Kohle

I still have other rifles, but I try to have one of this group in the woods as much as possible during the season.

I have a Mannlicher Schoenauer in 7x57. Brno( 21.22) whichever is the full stock one in 7x57 and a pre-64 featherweight in 270, Seems I usually grab the Winchester for hunting. Probably because it was my Dads. Throw in a Savage 99 in 250.

Why would you just limit yourself from the 1950s onward? There are some really great rifles made in US, GB, Europe, and other places before that.

However, if I was young again I would aim to get rifles that I know would know would be classics and many of my selections have been already echoed by many on here.

US-
1853 /1863 Sharps Carbine Conversion in 50/70 in good shootable condition. You have to live in either hog country or moose country or maybe both. What would be a better 10 to 100 yard quick gun.

Marlin 1881 in 45-70 in good shootable condition with a long barrel. They are great to shoot off hand.

Savage 1895 in 303 Savage made by Marlin. There aren't a lot of them.

Springfield Sporter 03A3-- Sedgely, Wundhammer, Owen, G and H. They are just neat rifles.

Stevens Crackshot Favorite 22. These are also fun little guns.

Winchester Model 71 in 348 or bigger.

Winchester Model 94 in 30-30 in saddle ring carbine form.

Savage 99 f or g in 300 Savage

Winchester Pre-64 270 featherweight or a Pre-64 338 Winchester Alaskan.

Remington 514 target 22lr Winchester 52b or 75 would also work. A lot of people like the 62 gallery gun.

Ruger RSM 416 Rigby

GB-
One good Double Rifle- Made by William James in 470 Nitro.(Hollis, Manton, Jeffery, Army and Navy, etc) more for go but with some class.

Lee Speed Rifle in 303 British- These are very nice rifles and are classics.

A Rigby highland stalker in 275 Rigby would also be a nice classic rifle.

Whitworth Mark X in 458 Win are out there and just good.


European
Brnos- 21s, and 22s. These have gone up in price. 7X57s abd 8X57s

MS are good after 1950 but man they are classics before. 1903s, 1905s, 1908s and even the 1914/1918 sporters are fantastic.


A Flaig's Custom using a Ferlach oval contour barrel and FN action with a classic stock in 375 or 458 is pretty nice.(European parts but American Custom manufacture)


Sako Riimikiis and Vixens in 222 and 223 in various forms are always winners.

A Sauer Weatherby in 300 Weatherby Mag would be nice.

An Orbendorf Mauser 98 in 8X57 or 9.3X62 would also be nice.

Belgium High Power Safaris were pretty nice pre-salt wood. 264 Win Mag to be different.

Heym modern express rifle modelled off of the form of Ralf Martini in 404 Jeffery would be nice.

That is a quick list. You might be surprised how researching each of these would give you a pretty good look at classic rifles from different periods.



I didn't include Drillings, Kiplaufs or even Huskies which I really like but this is a good start.

I like your list..

Belgium High Power Safaris were pretty nice pre-salt wood. 264 Win Mag to be different.

I looked at these, however, the rule seems to be 22" barrels with an occasional 24" but were never produced in anything longer

I would probably add.

Ruger Number 1 International in a 257 Roberts or 270 Win.

Remington 700 Mtn Rifle in 280.

Belgium Browning in 308 Win with Sako Action and pencil barrel.

Brn 465 in 22 or 222.

Steyr Zephyr 22 lr.



I would also look at Pre-64 or Mauser Customs by Biesen, Goens, Balicki or Ottomar. Probably any classic maker.

To me, no rifle configuration says "European" more than one with a Mannlicher-style stock. I prefer Husqvarnas or the S&W Models D and E that they imported from Sweden, but I'm me and you're not.

Then there are O/U combination guns or any of the other multiple barrels configurations that are, or were, more popular in Europe than they are or were in the U.S.

Thanks for the detailed replies - I've got some great "jumping off points" for some research for sure.

I'm fond of full stock style.Sako Kokotukki AV .338
Sako Kokotukki AII .308

When I was stationed in Spain with USAF, I had the chance to hunt fallow stag with my guide's 7.9mm rifle. It had two triggers and a receiver sight but I can't recall the maker of this fine rifle. If I was seeking a vintage European rifle, it would have these features, too.

Sherwood

This might be called a classic European hunting rifle. A Haenel System 1909 that was made in 1912, chambered in .25 Remington or, as it is called in Europe, 6.5x52 Rimless. It's for sale.

Above my pay grade!



So, an Imitation RSR











ya!

GWB

Just my opinion and a generalization but about anything Sauer, Heym, Manlicher-Shoenauer, Blaser, Mauser, Sako, and others from the continent.

Very few American riffles can compete with the refinement and quality of most European rifles. From eye-ball to function.

Agree. Production cost was the least of their worries when they made/make these guns.

A few years ago, I started leaning towards the classic guns and now have a very small collection of those as well. No safe queens allowed.

1. M700 Varmint in 222
2. M721 in 300H&H
3. M760 Carbine in 308
4. FN-98 in 275 Rigby (faux Rigby Highlander)
5. Fox SxS 12ga

.... and a few other clunkers not worthy of mention.

I also have some modern SS/synthetic guns in older chamberings as in 257Roberts, another 300H&H and a 280 so there's quite a mixture down there.

I didn't go for euro or N/A guns in particular, but did end up with more American guns by chance. I bought what I liked.

Nice rifle, but looks a bit unfinished without sights. Just sayin'.

You haven’t experienced perfection in a rifle until you get your first Mannlicher Schoenauer preferably a pre 1924 model. They are the perfect still hunting rifle. Wouldn’t trade mine for any 10 other guns. It took me 40 years to acquire my first.

I've tried and sold a bunch of rifles and shotguns over many years, and keep trading "up" in quality. I have kept mostly classic European firearms from about 1950 onward to 2000, so I completely agree with the goal of the original poster. As I traded up in quality, the American built arms dropped away and were gradually replaced by European. Fit, finish, and style of each of these are exceptional, at least when compared to the money I spent to acquire them.
So below is a list of what I've ended up with as a working collection of Classic European arms that I think are notable: One American shotgun snuck in there because I think the Win. Model 12 is a classic. And the Browning Superposed is a sort of hybrid.

Anschutz 1418 Fullstock .22 LR
CZ Brno Model 5 .22 LR
Anschutz 1415-1416 Sporter .22 WMR
Anschutz 1433 Fullstock .22 Hornet
Anschutz 1513 / CIL 900 .222 Rem
CZ Brno ZKK 601 .222 Rem
Sako 461 Vixen HB .222 Rem
Brno 22F fullstock 7x57 carbine
Steyr-Mannlicher model GK 7x64 fullstock carbine
Sako L579 Deluxe .308 Win
Brno ZKK 600 30-06 custom by Chris Griesbach
Brno 21H Halfstock 8x57IS rifle
Krieghoff Hubertus Kipplauf .30R Blaser
Krieghoff Trump Dural Drilling, 16x16/7x57R & .22 WMR insert
Merkel 211E/251E O/U combo W/16x16 - 2 3/4" & 2nd Barrel set 16 / 7x57R
Browning Superposed Lightning 20 ga. O/U
Win. Mod 12 12 ga. pump
Brno ZP47 12 ga SxS Sidelock
AyA #1 12 ga. 2 barrel set SxS
Aya #53 12 ga. SxS

That's enough for now. I do have a few more more modern arms. A couple of lever guns, a competition Beretta shotgun, a take down travel rifle and a big bore Merkel double, and a Sako stainless steel/laminate.375 for versatility and travel. I don't crave any more. I could cut the collection down to about 6 or 8 and not feel deprived, but where's the fun in that? Anyway I hope this list inspires. I've had fun during both collecting and shooting.