Probably too big of a risk or worth taking a chance? Double Rifle for Sale on Gunbroker

Noah Hutchens

Noah Hutchens

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I was browsing gunbroker as i do almost every weekend and saw this double rifle for sale that caught my eye. Listing says unknown caliber but also says its marked 8.9x72 which upon a little research i did probably means its a 9.3x72. Some portions of the rifle seem to be in better shape than others but a few photos in particular worried me, especially the photo of the barrels opened as there seems to be some corrosion around the chambers/face of he chambers. I understand its an old rifle but i guess im just wondering at what point is it too far gone at least economically? The price is low enough im considering bidding on it but figured id get some opinions, as again, some things stick out as a worry.

 
I wouldn't take a chance on a dubious DR.

A good DR for you is something that fits you perfectly, chambered for a cartridge that you actually want and have faith, and will work flawlessly.


If it is marked "8.9x72," then don't speculate "9.3x72."

IMO, a DR is for dangerous game, with your life, potentially, "on the line."

IMO, this is no place to purchase anything "iffy."


I would pass, because even if you don't like it, it would be hard to sell to someone else.
 
Depends on what you want to do with it. It's an interesting piece with some cool features and engraving I haven't seen before. You don't usually see game birds on a rifle. 8.9 might be the lands of a 9.3...? I have no idea. As a wall hanger or bauble, it's a good buy. You're in the vicinity, so you know who to ask for advice. He can make it shoot if you just have to have it.
 
I think this rifle is one for the collectors. Pre WW2 German makers typically cited the barrel bore diameter rather than groove diameter. 8.9x72 is a typical description for a 9.3x72 of that era. HOWEVER, as always, it would pay to do a chamber cast before even considering firing a round. I'm not sure but I think 9.372R worked out at .364" unlike 9.3x62 and 9.3x74R which are .366".

The 9.3x72R was suitable for small deer and boar. It was not a dangerous game cartridge.

The barrels are marked "Krupp Laufstahl". This relates to them being made from Krupp barrel steel. Krupp supplied the tubes which were then used by master gunmakers who built the rifles. That actual gunmaker's name should be on the rib or action.
 
Safari Dave said:
I wouldn't take a chance on a dubious DR.

A good DR for you is something that fits you perfectly, chambered for a cartridge that you actually want and have faith, and will work flawlessly.


If it is marked "8.9x72," then don't speculate "9.3x72."

IMO, a DR is for dangerous game, with your life, potentially, "on the line."

IMO, this is no place to purchase anything "iffy."


I would pass, because even if you don't like it, it would be hard to sell to someone else.
Click to expand...
Disagree on the “with your life on the line”, I want a double for deer, they originally were NOT built for dangerous game, that came later.

But agreed on the rest, but if you can afford it and want it then 9.3x72 would be fine for whitetail.
 
Certus said:
Disagree on the “with your life on the line”, I want a double for deer, they originally were NOT built for dangerous game, that came later.

But agreed on the rest, but if you can afford it and want it then 9.3x72 would be fine for whitetail.
Click to expand...

It’s very marginal for something like that, above all because, due to the non-standard 9,3mm caliber, there are no bullets in this class that meet modern standards. On top of that, the poor external ballistics. The cartridge 9,3x72R was originally a BP cartridge.
 
grand veneur said:
It’s very marginal for something like that, above all because, due to the non-standard 9,3mm caliber, there are no bullets in this class that meet modern standards. On top of that, the poor external ballistics. The cartridge 9,3x72R was originally a BP cartridge.
Click to expand...
At moderate ranges it would be fine for whitetail. Especially in many parts of the country where they aren’t very large bodied. People kill them with black powder rifles and handguns every year. You just need to know the limits of the cartridge.

It’s a neat gun and I’d love to take a closer look at it. Not in great shape but still interesting. At the right price it would be fun to play with.
 
deer do not have kevlar skin and are not hard to kill, place a bullet thru their lungs and light up a cigar and wait 15-20 minutes and then go get them. i have killed a dozen or so with flintlock rifles and a round ball at 1300-1400 fps. keep the range down and pick your shot.
 

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Two simple rules for buying any double rifle:

1) It must come with loading information and, if an obscure caliber, brass and bullets.
2) It must come with a target showing the performance of the load.

Otherwise you're buying, at best, a project. At worst a boat anchor.
 
leslie hetrick said:
deer do not have kevlar skin and are not hard to kill, place a bullet thru their lungs and light up a cigar and wait 15-20 minutes and then go get them. i have killed a dozen or so with flintlock rifles and a round ball at 1300-1400 fps. keep the range down and pick your shot.
Click to expand...

Air gunners using 115gr .35 cal doing 700fps to take deer out to 50yd with heart shots (minimum ballistics). The .45’s are throwing 200gr at those or higher speeds and easily taking deer also.
And they use pure lead bullets, getting passthroughs. Airgunning has destroyed my perception on a lot of ballistic needs..

Totally agree with the post directly above this one too. Takes the risk out for sure and can save months/years trying to get components.
 
You always get what you pay for....
Stupid people do not own things of value.
Beware.
 
grand veneur said:
It’s very marginal for something like that, above all because, due to the non-standard 9,3mm caliber, there are no bullets in this class that meet modern standards. On top of that, the poor external ballistics. The cartridge 9,3x72R was originally a BP cartridge.
Click to expand...
9,3mm has modern loading options - RWS being an excellent MFG, and several other ammo MFG, although not what the OP is asking about, modern loadings for 9,3x74R is dam near identical to .375H&H ....
 
grand veneur said:
A rifle caliber 9,3x72R from Collath with a Tesco break-action. A collector's item.

The cartridge 9,3x72R is a very weak round, in Germany allowed only for hunting roe deer.
Click to expand...
If I were looking for another small bore double rifle, it is a 9.3x72r, I would be all over that on!!
Rare, and plain cool!
 
Yea, it sure does look interesting. Between the engraving, the timed screws and the details in the work I think this would have been an amazing rifle in its day.
 
Anyone know what the winged screw/nut is for on the top tang of the rifle? Looks odd to me but I know nothing about them
 
Noah Hutchens said:
Anyone know what the winged screw/nut is for on the top tang of the rifle? Looks odd to me but I know nothing about them
Click to expand...
A safety of some kind? BTW, you better get off the fence; I'm starting to get interested for no reason at all except how cool it is.
 
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