I was given what appeared to be an old single shot bolt action .22 But when I took it apart and cleaned it up to see what markings it had on it I found this information. J.G.A Zella-Mehilis Germany on the top of the barrell. Near the bolt it had a double circle wth JGA inside it. And on the side of the barrell 5.4mm was stamped. From the research I did I figured out that it is probably pre WW2, 1930's maybe? And from anything I had read they were anywhere from 6mm to 9mm. Anyone ever heard of a 5.4 mm? It would be safe to shoot a .22 in a 6mm I think....anyone know anything about this rifle or this caliber?
It also had on the bolt itself an on the barrell G, B, and U with little crowns above them.
Thanks,
Llywelyn
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Ron James
April 8, 2007, 05:12 PM
You might slug the chamber and barrel or instead you could just shoot the correct .22 caliber shell in it because 5.4 MM is European metric for the .22
SDC
April 8, 2007, 05:13 PM
That'll be an Anschutz ("J.G.A." is "Julius Gotfried Anschutz"), and it'll certainly be in 22 rimfire, but we'd need more info and/or pictures to give you more info on it.
Jim Watson
April 8, 2007, 05:37 PM
Crowns over G B U is known as the "BUG proof" and are standard old German proof marks. I think the Nazis changed the stamp from crowns to eagles in 1935 or thereabouts.
Ron James
April 8, 2007, 07:43 PM
They changed the Crown over N in 1940-41 to Eagle over N
Llywelyn
April 8, 2007, 07:59 PM
Ok, thanks guys, i will see if i can get some pictures of it over the next few days. I am working on cleaning it up now. I will probably refinish the stock in the end. I don't think its worth much, and I would rather have a nice looking firearm sitting around than one in original beat up shape.
Llywelyn
Gordon
April 8, 2007, 09:40 PM
5.4mm is aproximately .221" = .22 rimfire bore size.
falmike
April 9, 2007, 11:05 AM
You need to do more research to ensure it is NOT a Flobert gun. Lack of a "Nitro" proofmark w9ould be one clue. Try google for old Flobert guns.
Here is the English language page for Anschuetz. Write to them in English, it's not a problem. I am sure they will be happy to help you with the history of the rifle. I bet they would be curious to see photos.
Have fun.
Mike
Llywelyn
April 10, 2007, 12:58 PM
Well, I finished cleaning and refinishing the stock. This morning I tried it out. It took a .22 lr just fine and fired. So i guess thats what it is. I'll probably shoot it some more tonight just to make sure everything is working good. It is missing the front sight though. I will have to try and make a new one. Anyone have a good closeup picture of the front sight?
Thanks for all your help,
Llywellyn
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