this weekend after scoping out the used gun racks at a couple of pawn shops i came across a rifle. truthfully the scope on it caught my eye more than the rifle. it had an old 2.5 Weaver scope that i thought would be a perfect fit with my old 1895 Chilien Mauser. well i set the rifle back to think it over for awhile how i was going to get the scope without being forced to by the rifle too. i went back today and actually looked over the rifle. it turns out to be a Interarms Whitworth Mauser in 243. i know Interarms Mark X rifles are thought well of but ive never ran across a Whitworth in person or in type. it seemed fairly light and while i have no use for a 243 my fiancee thinks she needs a "custom" rifle since i had one built for myself and this seems like an interesting donor action for a 260 Rem. can anyone tell me more about these or point me twords a website. i did a search for Whitworth Mausers but mainly got stuff on the old Whitworth blackpowder muzzel loaders.

Rattler

Here's an example of my Mark X Whitworth-they have long been out of production. Mostly made in England then Yugoslavia and imported by Interams. Does this look like it?



Interarms imported other models-Viscount, Mannlicher as well as barreled actions. The current Charles Daly Mausers are a copy of the last iteration. Earlier version had the release inside the trigger guard, most recent versions had the release outside which featured a button on the side of the guard.

They are very good rifles-a .260 would be nice, but you've got a full length action why not a 6.5-06?

yeah it was quite close. a 6.5-06 is a possibility if down-loaded for her, she wieghs 120 sopping wet and my 270 Winnie beat her up with factory loads. she loves my Marlin 1895G when i down-load, has taken over my lil Ruger 44 carbine and normally hauls my Sav 99 in 250 on hunting trips but wants something "new" and different to call her own. She tried my Chilien Mauser in 7x57 and didnt mind it, hates the cock on closing action(i love it) but the recoil from normal "under-loaded" factory ammo didnt bug her so if she doesnt mind the fit and feel of this Mauser i figured a rebarrel to 260 would be a neat and simple idea. i dont have a 6.5 at the moment and she dont care what its chambered in as long as its suited for deer and speed-goats and doesnt kick the s##t out of her.

Rattler

Rattler- If the price is right I would buy it in a second. Mine is a 7x57 and it shoots like a dream. They are a quality rig and I cant say enough about them. Look in the blue book of gun values I think a good one is valued at about $400. I dont know but since there no longer around and there's not many around it might have a collectors value- but like I said I'm not sure.

Karnis- What cal. is that and is yours considered a express rifle?

I have seen no Charles Daley's that are as smooth as the gun you describe The ones I've seen are synthetic stocked and rough.

Tell us more.

Gator- The only similarities is that they use the same action. The Whitworths' were made in Manchester England. Your right the newer charles dalys' are rough and not very attractive, but from what I've heard they are a solid bet.

I believe the express term was used for the .375 and .458's although they are almost identical. The only difference I am aware of is the rear open sight-on the "non-express" calibers (.243,.270,7x57,30-06,7mm Rem Mag and .300 WM) they had a standard Williams aluminum sight, front sight on both is a Williams hooded ramp sight. The "big" calibers had a 3 leaf folding all steel sight (I have one to be installed on my 7mm Rem Mag).

And yes, the fit and finish is much nicer that the Charles Daly's.

Hope this helps.

Karnis- My Whitworth is a Express Rifle with the 3 folding leaves 100-200-300yds. and it's a 7x57. It's also marked on the barrel Whitworth Express Whitworth Rifle Company. My rifle wasnt imported to the U.S. though. It was given to my uncle as a tip by some german guy back when he was a hunting guide. I wonder how many guns there are that we don't even get a chance to see that are only sold in other countries.

Any chance you can post a pic? I'd love to see it. BTW that is one horrible caliber. I'll send you a PM so you can ship it to me immediately for proper disposal.

The Interarms Whitworths were assembled in Manchester England and
some of the early ones, like mine, just say Interarms Manchester
w/o the Whitworth name. Others that say Interarms Yugoslavia were
assembled in the Crvena Zvezda (Red Star) plant in Kragujevac.

The receivers and barrels I believe are the same but the wood is
often better and the final fit and polishing slicker on those made
in England.

By the way the .243 is a short action and thus not suitable
for the 06 wildcat family. Mine is a .30-06 that may well end up a
.338-06.

Last Saturday at a gunshow in York PA there was a custom Whitworth
in a 22 inch octagon-barrelled Mannlicher with double set triggers
in my favorite 77x57 caliber. It was more than reasonable in cost
and like an idiot I passed on it, expecting to see the private
seller again after I reviewed everyhting on offer. He disappeared,
so he probably sold it.

Damn!
1B

Wow! An octagon barrel rifle with a mannlicher stock, that sounds really cool! I LOVE to look at mannlicher stocked rifles and an octagon barrel too!

How much, may I ask, was a "reasonable cost"?

Jeff

Rattler, I have a whitworth 308 and love it. If you decide to use it as a doner action, and don't use tje original stock, I'd be interested. Let me know. BTW I believe all are "long" actions, only the magazine is modified. capt david <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

There .243's and .308's that I've seen have a cutoff in the magazine. All built on long actions that I've seen.

260 Remguy.

The guy was asking $700 for it. It was in very good shape - no
dings visible, a deep custon blue that left crisp lettering
in place, and a quality piece of wood but not spectacular.
All in all, ths custom maker -- a guy from Gettysburg now
deceased -- knew his apples. The stock contour was very trim
in the European tradition that swings and points lke a quality
shotgun. There were lots of after-market dollars tied up in
that rifle.

No down sides besides the usual unknowns in any custonm gun.
Feed, chamber. barrel quality... Still, in my book, it was
worth the gamble.

The .243 in a long action sure will work as a donor for 30-06s.
I did not know the Whitworths had .308 family calibers in long
actions. Kind od like the new Tikka T3 from what it sounds. I
wonder if accuracy is as good as in a shorter, more rigid,
action?

1B

Rattler - I know nothnig about this stuff really but if it is long action why not just make it a 6.5x55? Don't get me wrong, I have a 260 and love it though it is in a lightweight package. After all the talk about what a low recoiling round it is I bought a stainless synthetic A-bolt and put a Sims limbsaver on it. To me and the other two guys who shot the recoil felt surprisingly stout. We all felt it was more than in my fuller sized CZ 550 (with decellerator pad) in 270. Just thought that the 6.5x55 sounded perfect for your situation and am very curious as to why no one else has recommended it. Might be an obvious reason but as I said, I don't really know a whole lot about rebarreling\boring etc..

Karnis - nice looking rig. Prettier than those I have seen.