Herters XK3 308

[eluwak]

So in addition to the Savage Model 19 my pop also gave me a Herters XK3 308. I don't know much about it other than it seems to have been one of those mail order rifles. He is under the belief that it's a Winchester (?). Unfortunately the stock is for a right shooter with a molded cheek rest and I'm a lefty so all two of my shots with it have been far from... well... the target (not used to the kick either)

Are these Herters good rifles?

 

[Oohrah]

Yes, most of Herter's firearms were good. They were all imports.
Not sure of your model number, but rifles were imported from England
(BSA) and Mausers from Germany (commercial). As a kid, much of
our Scouting stuff came from there as it was for the most part sturdy
and priced reasonable. Bought loading equipment and still have a stocked
Springfield using their wood. A family thing that went belly up over night.
I think they came back making duck decoys and a few other things, but
extremely limited.
Winchester did some contracting for Sears, Montgomery Wards, and
maybe Western Field. I don't think Herters was one of them.

 

[Ash]

Montgomery Ward is Western Field, and it was generally covered by Savage/Stevens(model 311 and some 22's), Remington (model 11-48), Kessler, Marlin (336) and the Western Field King, Mossberg with too many models to list, from 22lr to shotguns to bolt-action centerfire up to 7mm Mag.

Sears was mostly a Marlin and Winchester house, though they got firearms from other sources.

The XK3 is, according to Bolt Action Rifles by DeHaas, it was either made in Germany or in Yugoslavia and will say so either way. It is a modified M98 Mauser, with the German XK3 being slightly different than the Yugo XK3.

Replacing the stock looks to be a custom or semi-custom job. Post some photos and you can get more help.

Ash

 

[eluwak]

Thanks guys!

I'll get some pics up tonight

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

It puts the pics in the thread, or else it gets the hose instead.

 

[eluwak]

As promised

The only markings I can find are the following:

HERTER'S INC WASECA MINN.
MODEL XK3 CAL 308

Not even sure where I can find the serial on it...

That's a Savage 2.5X scope on it that doesn't appear to be adjustable

 

[gunnerh]

My Herter's .270 Win Model R-2 was a mauser 98 commercal made in West Germany. I think my Dad got it used in the late 50's for next to nothing. It is a good shooter but I have retired it years ago.

 

[CBS220]

Classy rifle, nice find.

 

[rangerruck]

It appears to be very similar to a Parker Hale post ww2 rifle, mauser , with excellent wood. I would say it is a west german made, not sure who built herters', but if it is anything like the parker hale, it should be fantastic. also , looka that scope, it has the origional leather cover piece, that in itself is fantastic. Tell us more about the scope...
looking more closely at the tightening knobs, i would say it is a fixed 4 or 6 power, made by Weaver, possibly all steel type, El Paso made, maybe japan made. If it also came from germany, is it possible that it has the long vertical triangle post, with horizontal crosshair??

 

[eluwak]

The clamps are Weaver but the scope says Savage. I finally found that by removing the knob caps you find the adjustments.

 

[Ash]

I believe it was made by Heym if German.

Ash