Gill-guns from down under

[Catt57]

Just got these today.
Australian Sportomatic gill-guns. These are rare to see in the US.
While not strictly Savage rifles. They are clones of the Savage model 6 and 7 designs (Stevens/Springfield models 85 and 87) produced after the Savage patents expired.

Fun fact: Sporting Arms Limited (aka Sportco) was founded by Jack Warne. Jack would later leave Australia and found Kimber in Oregon, USA.

 

[Catt57]

Sportomatic Model 2 (Copy of Savage Model 7)

Appears they came into the US by way of the UK.

They are so close that a Savage magazine locks in and cycles by hand. (The original magazine is beyond worn out.)

 

[Catt57]

Sportomatic 87A (Copy of, well, the 87A)

Also by way of the UK. And yes, the rear sight is missing. I highly suspect a Savage sight will fit.

Interestingly, the receiver is grooved for a scope mount.

Someone along the way threaded the barrel. No idea what the threads are though.

 

[surjimmy]

Very, Very Cool. Congratulations

 

[SSG_McD]

Those are really cool rifles!

 

[okierider]

So... ya bought all the gill guns in America and now you're going after Astralia.
Those are pretty cool.

 

[surjimmy]

I swear Tim, if you don't stop YOUR going to grow gills and we'll have to start visiting you in Jenks at the aquarium. Lol

 

[Catt57]

These Aussie guns are certainly a bit different. (Which I expected.)


The Model 87 is using the "new" style band extractor with the "old" Savage bolt style.
The hammer and recoil springs are not captured. The hammer, bolt, and guide rod are not cut out for it to be captured either. Makes it a pain to reassemble.
The inner magazine tube is steel instead of brass.
The lifter has an extra spring to push it back down. (Why?)


The model 2 is closer to the original Savage 7 design. So much so that it appears a Savage magazine will work in place of the worn out original. I will verify function this weekend. I don't have a Savage 7/Stevens 85 nearby to compare differences atm.


And the front sights on both are the same, but a different style than the Savage one. They have a bead, but the back is rounded over. Kinda looks like a shark fin.

 

[Catt57]

Got them out and ran a full mag through both. Zero malfunctions. I can confirm the Model 2 works fine with the Savage magazine.