Waffenfabrik Walther Zella-Mehlis (Thur) .22 bolt action

[Guest Tiff]

I've picked up an old Walther .22LR 5 shot bolt action rifle. Its fitted with an unusual (to me anyway) bolt/receiver system that is removable and then the bolt comes out - also allowing the barrel to be cleaned. The bolt system has a very small bolt lift at 15 degrees max - making for quick reloading. It has no groves for a scopes. Also the rear sight has two additional hinged folding 'blades' allowing for quick elevation adjustments. The receiver is stamped Waffenfabrik Walther Zella-Mehlis (Thur) and the barrel 5.4mm Nitro, Germany, proof marks: NB, U, G, B and U. So any ideas what it is? I can't do pics yet, but will soon.

[Guest Tiff]

Here are some pics:

 

Ok computers dead will work on them later............

[Guest Tiff]

Finally here are some pics.......It has also been fitted with a Parker Hale No. 59 Target sight (not in pics - removed for cleaning)

 

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa207/T...an/DSCN9994.jpg

 

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa207/T...an/DSCN9995.jpg

 

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa207/T...an/DSCN9996.jpg

 

So what rifle is it then please and what is it worth with the PH sight?

 

Cheers Tiff

[Ronin]

Tiff

 

 

this looks like it was the original idea / design that evolved into the Mauser 66, Sauer and Blaser switch barrel rifles.

 

The two pronged rails on the reciever are strikingly similar in a simple way to the models we now know that ive mentioned above.

 

 

Looks like no other .22RF ive seen before, but I have no knowledge of these other than my own 22's.

 

 

Worth?

 

Looks like an interesting piece of history, I guess that it is fairly rare, but not worth more than a couple of hundred....unless you find a collector who wants one.

 

 

 

 

How does it shoot by the way

[Guest Tiff]

Hi Ronin, so not bad for £25 then With the diopter sight fitted its shooting 5p piece size 10shot groups of elbows at 25 yards (furthest I can get behind my house at the moment). Best I've ever shot with a .22 and 'open' sights. Any other info greatly appreciated.

[baldie]

Quite possibly an old biathlon trainer Tiff. Short bolt lift...fat knob easily stripped [snow ingress] and german, plus its got a diopter. i would get that valued by an auction house. Some of the vintage .22,s make stupid money.

[Guest Tiff]

I've searched the web and all I could find on the same rifle was this:

 

https://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem....m=121459970#PIC

 

The difference in mine is it has simple folding petal 'v' rear sights of 3 different heights, a tang mounted shotgun like safety and not such a large catch at the end of the action. Making me think mine is earlier.

 

The most interesting thing this add mentions is the ability to leave the bolt lifted and it becomes a semi-auto!!!!!!

I didn't close the bolt (its such a short lift) on one shot and the rifle fired and cycled, but only a jam prevented it from reloading. At the time I thought is was a fault, but I'm guessing not! Thinking about it now without the rifle to hand, the bolt is sprung and will fly forward if let go of towards the rear - just like a semi-auto bolt!

 

I'll be back home on Thursday to try the rifle again in semi auto mode.....

 

So has anybody heard of a .22 Walther that can be either a bolt action or semi-auto?

[baldie]

Yes !! Knew i,d seen that gun before !

We had one through the shop a few years back, but i cant remember much about it unfortunatly. Dont get rid of it Tiff, an old friend is an expert on vintage .22,s, i will ask his opinion, and see what he knows.

[Guest Tiff]

I've been running a similar thread on pigeon watch and this original advert was provided:

 

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa207/T...1Walther003.jpg

 

Mine is the top light version model 1 Walther. Considering the price back then was £7. 5. 0. I'm hoping £25 now was a good investment....

 

Now I've started googling model 1 I found this copy of the manual and dating it pre WWII!:

 

http://www.cornellpubs.com/Templates/Walth...arbine-1936.htm

 

Only thing is it says its a single shot, repeater and self loader!! I haven't got it here to check - but where do I stand if this is correct!

 

Any other news (any help Baldie would be great)... on its value or age would be greatly appreciated.

[Guest Tiff]

The old farmer I've been working for part-time has just told me, until he gets some more money in, he cannot afford to pay me Money I need to pay for a scope I brought on here....

 

So this looks like my best asset to sell

 

I've tried the local gunrooms and they all said £20....Which I politely refused considering I've seen a couple of these rifles go for £450-600 on Guntrader.

 

Where should I look for a valuation & selling it?

 

Cheers Tiff