Rook & Rabbit Rifle part two

RaceBannon · #1 01-12-2013, 04:36 PM

So, I went back to the shop and bought this little .22 for $250.00. It was marked as a "rook" rifle. A rook being a English bird similar to a crow. I was concerned that the bore was rusted out. It looked terrible in the shop and this thing would have been fed black powder .22s when it was new.

When I got it home, I ran a brush through it and it cleaned up great. A little pitting of course, but very strong rifleing. It wouldn't accept a .22LR, so it's either meant for .22 longs or .22 shorts, so I imagine that it predates 1887, when .22LR was introduced. Unfortunately I don't have either at the moment and now, I'm dying to fire this thing.

It's marked J L Berg, Christiania. The only thing I've found online, is an almost identical rifle posted by a guy who goes by Gitano, who runs a hunting forum. I haven't been able to reach him so far and I don't think he knows much about his rifle either. Anyway, I not sure what this thing is, but I like it.

RaceBannon · #2 01-12-2013, 04:39 PM

A few more pictures.

Thuer · #3 01-12-2013, 04:43 PM

It is a so called Warnant rifle. The most I have seen are made in Belgium in the calibers .22 and 9mm. You could even shoot shot with it.
We do know it as Gardenrifle to shoot on varmints.

Dalkowski110 · #4 01-12-2013, 04:47 PM

"so it's either meant for .22 longs or .22 shorts, so I imagine that it predates 1887, when .22LR was introduced."

I can't tell you much about this particular rifle, BUT I can tell you that .22 Short was a VERY popular "rook rifle" caliber well into the 1920's. The Brits and Belgians also had special rook rifle calibers made that were their own distinct calibers, but close to .22 LR. I'd get out my Cartridges of the World 10th Edition if I could find it, but that rifle might not be "a .22" in the conventional sense.

RaceBannon · #5 01-12-2013, 07:14 PM

Thanks for putting me on the right track guys. It turns out that it is chambered for 6mm Flobert. apparently it's very similar to .22CB and
still available.

bigolddave · #6 01-12-2013, 07:28 PM

Based on the name and city shown on that rifle, it probably was from Norway, although probably made in Belgium. Christiana was the old name for Oslo.

2152hq · #7 01-12-2013, 08:44 PM

Do a search on 'Flobert Rifle' or Warnant Flobert'
Your's is one of several different styles.
The originals were French made, but the vast majority seen are Belgian. Some German and Austrian also.
Check for proof marks as a key to mfg'r.
The name on it that you see may be that of the retailer.

The Warnant style breech is sometimes called the 'Trapdoor Flobert' in the US for it's looks and mechanical operation.

RaceBannon · #8 01-12-2013, 09:49 PM

I haven't found any proof marks even after removing the stock. While researching rook rifles, I found info suggesting that many countries didn't
Require proof marks on these guns until about 1890.

Could you tell me if there is a difference between 6mm Flobert and .22CBs?