Nazi Stamped Colt Model 57 in 30-06

[Sharpie443]

Got my hands on a very interesting Rifle. I don't know much about this rifle other than it's called "The Colt 57.". It's a K98 FN receiver with Nazi markings and a 30-06 Jefferson Barrel. I did a bit of poking around but i couldn't find anymore info on this gun. Regardless it's interesting and seems to be a good shooter so far. Hope you enjoy the video. If you have any info on the rifle let me know.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMs4Rywurag&lc=FCAASIjjY39wvhIbwtWvIfqYtRQ9rIn-IPPCxTbfbwc&feature=inbox

 

[jimmyraythomason]

The Colt "57" Bolt Action Rifle was manufactured for Colt in 1957 by Jefferson Manufacturing Co. also of Hartford, CT. They made about 5,000 chambered in either .243 or 30-06. It came with adjustable sights. It's basically a Fabrique Nationale Mauser action, barreled by Jefferson and matched with an American Walnut Monte Carlo Stock. The action was commercially made so I'm puzzled by the Nazi markings(unless some were recycled military actions).

 

[Dr.Rob]

based on a quick search:

Jefferson (also of Hartford Conn) made those for Colt mostly on FN actions in 1957. Strange to see a Nazi k98 used but not 'impossible'. Colt apparently didn't sell them under the Colt name, maybe because of little gems like that surplus 98 action showing up. It's well below Colt's standards of quality for fit & finish, even if it shoots great.

"42" is a code for Mauser. Thats a Mauser action made in 1939, not an FN.

They were available in 243 and .30-06, and came in 2 grades of wood. About 5000 were made.

Other possibility is someone had a surplus Mauser and wanted it converted to 30-06 and there were Colt/Jefferson barrels available for the project. That wood is NOT up to Colt standard.

Per Numrich the original sight MAY have been a Redfield.

 

[Jackal]

Kinda looks like someone used a military action and sporterized it with the Colt barrel.

 

[Ash]

FN also supplied actions for Montgomery Ward's Western Field series of rifles. I tend to agree that it might be a rebarrelled surplus action. FN was making their own receivers/actions and I doubt they would have stopped and thrown in a used German receiver on a commercial order. That could have gotten them into trouble (not the German part, but the used part). I have seen many FN-actioned rifles from the 1950's era but none were surplus.

 

[DPris]

Are you confusing a German proof stamp with a Nazi eagle?
Denis

 

[Sharpie443]

Don't think so. There seems to be a swastika under the eagle.

 

[Jackal]

I dont personally see Colt (even under another umbrella company) or any other American manufacturer putting their name on anything with Nazi markings just after the war.

 

[mnrivrat]

The barrel is Jeffereson Colt but the rest is likely not. The stock looks to be a Bishop and has a shotgun butt pad. Fit is almost poor and I can't believe this would be a production run gun.
Herters also used FN actions for their J9 rifle series and I have never seen them with military markings either.

 

[22250Rem]

Probably one of the tons of sporting rifles built on WWII K-98 actions back in the 1950's. That was the era for that sort of thing.

 

[natman]

Kinda looks like someone used a military action and sporterized it with the Colt barrel.

+1

The barrel may be "Colt", but the stock sure isn't and I can't imagine Colt using surplus actions. Somebody had a Jefferson Colt 57 in 30-06, rebarreled it and the take off ended up on this gun.

 

[Ash]

Yeah, the barrel and action are two different finishes. The barrel was probably a take-off or surplus and mated to a German receiver.