Sportco Clubman Info Wanted

[Rabbitz]

I am about to take possession of most of a(nother) Sportco Clubman. I say 'most of' as it comes without a bolt. I am actually after the stock and maybe the barrel in this case.

Oddly, the bolts from the Clubmans (Clubmen?) I currently have do not fit it.

The chamber on the 'new' one is tapered at the rear, where the other two are square. It also has a raised block that mounts the extractor pawl, where the other two have a small set of rails with the pawl at the end of one rail. The block prevents the other two bolts from being inserted into the action - the front of the bolts hang up on the block.

I don't have the 'new' one, so no piccies are possible just yet.

Has anyone come across one like this before?

If so, what is the purpose of the raised block?

Also if someone knows of a bolt for this action I'd be interested.

[Camel]

Was Clubman a generic name given to a series of these rifles ? If so, this may account for the differences. Other than that, I got nothing .

[The Raven]

Tried to look up the Clubman, including the old Sportco.org.au website, and couldn't find much. I wish someone would update and expand that Sportco site (it's dated 2008).

As I don't know anything about the Clubman is it in any was similar to the Clubmaster? Perhaps the 'master is a variant on the 'man

[Rabbitz]

The Clubman is a bolt action, the Clubmaster is a Martini action.

The Martini was usually (not always) based on the W. W. Greener variants of the .310 Cadet rifles.

As I have said elsewhere I have a soft spot for Sportco rifles, I have a couple of Clubman and a Clubmaster in the safe.

[MISSED]

Is it like a Mini Clubman ?

[Rabbitz]

Was Clubman a generic name given to a series of these rifles ? If so, this may account for the differences. Other than that, I got nothing .

I imagine that like many rifle models they evolved over time - I haven't seen one like this, in the flesh before.

Oh well, it'll just be one of those 'keep an eye out' deals and also a reason to visit every gun shop in every town I stop at.

[Rabbitz]

Is it like a Mini Clubman ?

Same era, but much smaller.

[The Raven]

A Sportco model 40 was my firs rifle, handed down to me by my father who bought it new.

I also like that they were Australian made and a piece of our history.

My only other Sportco is a Model 80 bolt action 12G with 2 round magazine. Got it cheap when an LGS was doing a clear out of old rifles. I refinished the stock myself, but not to the level of Missed's skill, and like it a lot. Big bore, big bolt, adjustable choke, and magazine makes for a nice silhouette...

[Rabbitz]

I picked up the rifle today.

It has had a hard life. It is in very poor condition but I knew that.

When the rifle clubhouse burnt down it was in the safe, curiously all barrel is coated in a hard plasticy coating. Apparently all of the plastic in the safe vapousised and coated the metalwork as things cooled down.

It turns out it is a very early variant - the serial number is in the 70's. My other two are 29xx and 36xx.

The early model action rear:

Late model action rear:

If you look into the action of the early model you will see a horizontal block with the ejector pawl:

Where the later model the pawl is on the loading rail:

The block fouls the later model bolt. If I remove the block the later bolt will go in and locks. The trigger releases the firing pin. Clearly ejection would be a problem.

So I again ask if anyone has info in the earlier bolt, or if they find one laying about let me know.

Raven, any chance of a couple of piccies of the model 40 bolt and action?

[The Raven]

Here's some pics of my model 40.

Sorry I didn't realise the pics were so crap, at least not until after I locked it all up again. Zoom has killed the resolution...

Breech face, notice the relief for the ejector claw.

Bolt face showing the ejector blade. Screw secures the stamped steel part from underneath.

Bolt face and ejector claw.

PS. The greenish residue of from the oil. Which reminds me to give it another good clean.

[Rabbitz]

Thanks.

It answers the question. It is quite different - having a single extractor claw, and the underneath profile is more asymmetrical.

Cheers

[The Raven]

Thanks.

It answers the question. It is quite different - having a single extractor claw, and the underneath profile is more asymmetrical.

Cheers

Yeh, didn't look anything like yours.

[Camel]

This any use to you Rabz ??

https://www.usedguns.com.au/Product.aspx?p=137588

[Rabbitz]

Yes. Yes it is.

Thanks.

[pisco]

there is a stock on used guns