Here's the latest acquisition, a rifle of mixed ancestry which I call the model "CMT!" Basically it's an old HW 55 T (tyrolean) action from the early 60's (serial 1404XX), ensconced in a rare HW 55 CM match stock from the late 70's. A true bastard, but to borrow my favorite line from "Patton"...a magificent bastard!
Here's proof it ain't the original stock: for a period Weihrauch actually stamped the variant on the breech block...something that has caused many a collector grief in subsequent years.
This is by far the oldest HW 55 with Rekord trigger that I have--the serial dates the gun to around 1964. Though the old feller shows some wear, the metal polish is exquisite, and in bright light the blueing is truly blue, just lovely. The original owner sure didn't have to take any guff from his Walther-toting friends in the fit-and-finish area! The wood is another story...possibly re-finished, can't tell for sure, and the well-dinged condition may suggest service on a club rifle.
This is also the first 55 I've had with the 400 gram barrel sleeve. It's also beautifully finished, and note the rounded contouring at the muzzle neatly matching up with the barrel crown. Balance is very nice, enough weight to sit well without being ponderous.
The front sight is a rather rare variant, threaded on both ends to allow fitting of multiple accessories, and with an odd "filed" texture to the sides.
The rear sight is the classic HW design, this gun of course having the older 13mm wide groove spacing which precludes use of any other make. Note the odd flat rubber eyeshade in place of the usual cupped design, I'm guessing this was OEM on the T action. Also visible here is the incised line around the rear of the receiver which is characteristic of guns from this era.
HW used off-the-shelf Anschutz stock fittings for the "Custom Match" CM woodwork (also seen on their .22 lr target rifles). The buttplate assembly is the ubiquitous Anschutz 4709, which has been in production for more than 40 years! This gun has the flat 4709A, while the one in the foreground sports the curved 4709B.
While it would sure be nice to have the original Tyro stock for this one... I couldn't have afforded it that way! And the old bastard ain't half bad as is.