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How to Identify Antique Bolt Action Rifles

Bolt-action rifles date back to the nineteenth century and were invented by German born inventor Johann Nikolaus Dreyse. The Prussian army first used The Dreyse Rifle, or Needle Gun as it was known, in 1841 and it was the first bolt-action military rifle. Since then, many manufacturers have improved on the design and there are many different makes of rifle. Experts may have years of collecting experience but there are a few things an amateur can look out for to help him identify quality antique bolt-action rifles.

Instructions

- 1
  Look for the maker's cartouche. This is either a metal plate located under the stock or barrel or can be engraved into the wood. The cartouche contains the maker's mark and may contain other information such as model name or country of origin. These marks can be checked in reference books or by online identification services.
- 2
  Check how the bolt-action cocks when loading a cartridge. Rifles made by Mauser cock when the bolt is drawn fully backwards, whereas on Lee-Enfield rifles the bolt cocks when closing or pushing the bolt forward.
- 3
  Examine the rifle's metal and wood surfaces. Metal surfaces on antique rifles will tarnish with age and lose their original blue sheen, turning yellower with age. The wooden parts will also develop a "patina" of sorts in which dirt and grease from handling causes the wood to change over time. Any scratches or marks will become ingrained with dirt and appear as black marks in the wood.

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