I picked up this rifle from a junk dealer. Is in beautiful condition with all matching serial numbers. Stamped under barrel near the muzzle is CAI STALB VT, an import stamp for Century Arms in St. Albans, Vermont, and M16, along with .308 W. It has the oval gas port on the left side of the receiver ring with 7.62 stamped under the port. I am told these were of Spanish manufacture and that the M16 refers to the Spanish Model 1916 short rifle. It has the Lange Vizier or "roller coaster" rear sight. I am also told that the best accuracy and safest load is a .308 brass loaded to .300 Savage specs.
My questions:
Which bayonet is correct for this rifle?
How do you account for the 1913 factory date under the Oviedo crest, but on a rifle later stamped as a model 1916. Was this a model from earlier that was reworked and then called a model of 1916? Possibly an 1895? (pardon my ignorance but my love of history demands that I know!)
Any other comments would be appreciated!
Thanks,
Mike
