I see you won the V49 on GB. I had bid a couple times but decided the money would be better spent elsewhere so quit. I'm glad someone here got it. I think you probably got a good buy . I know nothing much about them. Read an article on the X51 years ago and always wanted one. Enjoy !!!!!!!! John

 

The X-51 bis was my holy grail for over 20 years, and I nearly bid on that 49, but I already own 3 X-51s. I'll write a detailed post for you after Christmas.

Merry Christmas to all

TBR

 

Okay, now that Christmas is past, I'll post a few observations on the Unique semi-auto .22s I own.

The Unique 49 is the predecessor of the more commonly known (but still not very common here in the US) X-51 bis. Unique actually made other semiautomatic 22s before the 49, with massive tubular receivers, but they are really rare over here. The only one I've ever seen was beautifully finished and somewhat reminiscent of the old Winchester 74. Anyway, Unique probably started production of the 49 in 1949 and improved it in 1951, changing the name to the X-51. I would guess that production stopped in the mid 80s. The two are very similar in design and appearance, with the biggest difference being the X-51's single-shot bolt hold-open devise. A small knurled knob visible on the right side of the lower receiver can be turned out to automatically hold the bolt open after each shot. Pushing the knob downward allows the captured bolt to move forward to strip and feed the next cartridge for the next shot. It is soundly designed, very well made, and novel, but I've found little use for it on my rifles.

These rifles were no doubt influenced heavily by the Winchester 03/63 design. The bolt and op rod designs are very similar, but, of course, the Unique uses a detachable box magazine, while the 03/63 design uses a tubular magazine in the butt stock. Incidentally, the magazines, both 5 and 10-round, for the 49 and 51 are interchangeable…and nearly unobtainable. I paid over $125 for one 10-round magazine from New Zealand about two years ago (The third rifle I bought, I did so solely for its original magazine). On the positive side, some of the other Unique magazines, primarily those for the company's pistols, will interchange, though the angle of the floor plates will not look exactly right. The Unique op rod does not rotate to lock the bolt back for cleaning and/or transport, like the 63, something I always wondered about. The Unique has a more traditional looking hammer, in contrast to the triangular 63 hammer that straddles the magazine tube. The Unique rifle is also more petite, weighing about a pound lighter than the 63.

Like the 63, the Unique is precisely machined entirely from steel bar stock, the fit and finish of which may be even better than the Winchesters. Polishing and bluing on my examples is also very good, probably about 400, maybe even 600, grit. The 49 and 51 also feature a small cocking indicator that protrudes slightly into the front of the trigger guard. Triggers are the equal of the 63…meaning heavy and creepy.

The barrels are very good with smooth bores, and these rifles really do shoot well, if one can overcome the heavy and inconsistent triggers. Like most take-down rifles with two receiver halves, a tight take-down screw will usually produce the best accuracy. On the other hand, I have found reliability to be better, almost perfect, in fact, with the take-down screw not so tight on these rifles.

Looking at a reproduction catalog from the 70s, the rifle was available in a variety of iterations, including a military-like carbine and even a look-a-like of the famous MAS/ FAMAS bull pup.

Interestingly, I now own three X-51s, and very few of the parts will interchange, including stocks. This indicates to me they are essentially handmade and likely explains why they are no longer produced. Two of my rifles have about 22" barrels, one with a threaded muzzle, and the third, a fully engraved version, has a 20" barrel. There are some other quirky things about these rifles. For example, the flats on the top of the fore stocks are angled at about 60 degrees, something that drove me crazy when I restocked my engraved model. Also, the op rod has a peculiar little doglegged piece screwed to its end to prevent it from rotating. I think Unique could have taken a more elegant approach.

Notwithstanding all the quirkiness, though, I consider the X-51 to be the finest semiautomatic .22 ever made. To me, it combines the petite elegance of the Browning ATD with the timeless and rugged design of the Winchester 63, all while being the equal of either in fit and finish with the added convenience of a detachable box magazine.

I hope this helps.

TBR

 

Wow these are beauties. Great job taking care of them and keeping them in this condition. I have one of these and looking for spare parts is very difficult. Would you know any websites where I can find parts for X51 Bis (Produced in 1971) ? Specifically looking for the recoil butt.

Great post again and any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

Good luck!!! You'll probably be bidding against me, even if one that fits were to come up You have to look for the mag release notch in the right location on the magazine body. I have no idea for which pistol they were made, but they will always be 10-rounders...long enough to fit the length of the entire pistol grip. I will bet you'll never find another 5-rounder; I've looked for 20 years, and that's why I nearly bought that 49 out from underneath you...just for its magazine! Just so you know, the original 10-rounders look completely different than the pistol mags. I'll try to post some pics for you.

TBR

 

Thanks. That's NOT the original stock, BTW. I made that stock from the densest piece of English walnut I've ever seen, duplicating the original stock shape. Here's a pic of the "good" side...and some more self-serving show-off pics :

I'll try to get some magazine pics posted tonight.

TBR

 

This is a early model V 49 that I picked up yesterday, 4 digit(12xx) serial number, no grooves in the receiver and the charging handle turns sideways to hold the bolt open.

 

Here is what the Unique T_SM looks like
It is a youth model metallic silhouette target rifle

 

The T.SM actually comes in 3 configurations
1. As shown in your picture, that is the silhouette rifle with optional 4x32 scope.
2. There is a model with the same stock, fitted with aperture sights. Sort of a junior target rifle.
3. As for 2. but with a biathlon shoulder harness attached, designated "T.SM Biathlon Junior".

The T.SM stands for "Tirer aux Silhouettes Metalliques", if I remember my French correctly.

The rifle I have is the original T.SM with no sights and a plain barrel. However, mine does not have the top of the forend cut down like most of the examples I've seen, nor is the barrel threaded for "Silenceux". Perhaps it is an early example. As scarce as these are in the USA, you can imagine how hard they are to come by in Australia. There can't have been more than a handful imported.

I have a scan of a full catalogue of Unique bolt rifles (.PDF, 2.1MB) if anyone's interested. I don't have a date, but I would think around 1980.

 

double post, please delete

 

Hello all,

I know its been a while in this thread but the information in it has been very helpful so far. Maybe there is somebody with an x51bis still active here?

I just got gifted one, 48xxx serial number so a relatively early one in very good state.

I read that the magazines are in high demand, dont know what comes with this one since the magazine is coming on a later date.

So far ive put it together (it was stored in pieced) but cant get the hammer to move, no matter wich positon i put the safety. I feel the pressure move off the Trigger when moving the safety. Also i hear a dry click when pulling the trigger, but the hammer is not moving.

Do i need to place a magazine for the hammer to come up or is there something else?

Thanks in advance!

 

Hi,
Yes, the X-51s have a dreaded magazine safety (at least, all three of mine do). It will not allow the hammer to fall without a magazine in place, even cocked and with the safety off. Let us know when you get your magazine, and please post some pics.

TBR

 

I have never had much luck with anything engineered in France.

Especially post WWII Walther pistols, automobiles, and other products. However, the French have been wonderful hosts when I have visited.

 

Just some added info for you....

Your x51bis with a serial range of 48,xxx was made in 1966.

I have one much earlier than your serial and it too has the magazine safety feature on it.

 

I thought this was going to be about world war era French rifles that were actually fired and not dropped ......ba dum dah. Yes, I do standup lol.

 

As I happened to read this statement early this morning, I wanted, as a Frenchman and reserve officer, to put things straight :

The French soldiers who fought in May and June of 1940 DID NOT DROP their rifles and flee before the Hun : actually nearly 100,000 of them were killed in action within the 5 weeks of the German offensive. Compare that to the total number of US soldiers killed in action during THE WHOLE of WW2 and you will understand how fiercely they fought to defend our motherland.

Sure, the May-June campaign of 1940 ended up in total chaos for the French army, but one of the reasons for that was that the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) chose to pull out from the battle field at the eve of a major joint counterattack WITHOUT telling their French allies.

 

Thanks for the info all, i am pleasantly surprised by the amount and speed of the reactions. Im off for a week of holidays now but after im expecting the magazines and i can post some pics.

 

V 49 Unique serial numbers

Does anyone have any info on Unique V 49 serial numbers? I recently acquired one serial # 10xx, I would like to find a manufacture date if possible.

 

V49 numbers

I have serials for all Unique rifles from 1964 until they closed. But I have not found anything regarding earlier numbers and their manufacturing dates. I have seen three digit V49's all the way to rifles having 12xxx. I highly doubt they made that many V49 rifles so there has to be a huge numbers gap in there somewhere.

I have found an interesting nugget of info recently. I have found a V49 with serial number 123xx. That particular rifle did not have a bolt hold open feature on the receiver like the bulk of all V49's. Also it has a wood forearm instead of the plastic forearm. I have also seen an X51 with serial number 125xx. If I'm speculating correctly, a model transition happened within those couple hundred guns from the V49 to the X51. Both rifles share the same font in their markings. The same stock design (steep comb drop). They also shared the same butt plate with the bird emblem. The only real difference was the bolt hold open or single shot feature seen on the X51's.

 

V49 numbers

I have serials for all Unique rifles from 1964 until they closed. But I have not found anything regarding earlier numbers and their manufacturing dates. I have seen three digit V49's all the way to rifles having 12xxx. I highly doubt they made that many V49 rifles so there has to be a huge numbers gap in there somewhere.

I have found an interesting nugget of info recently. I have found a V49 with serial number 123xx. That particular rifle did not have a bolt hold open feature on the receiver like the bulk of all V49's. Also it has a wood forearm instead of the plastic forearm. I have also seen an X51 with serial number 125xx. If I'm speculating correctly, a model transition happened within those couple hundred guns from the V49 to the X51. Both rifles share the same font in their markings. The same stock design (steep comb drop). They also shared the same butt plate with the bird emblem. The only real difference was the bolt hold open or single shot feature seen on the X51's.

I know this is an old thread but would you still be able to provide a date against as erial number for an X41?
Thanks

 

Turning unique v49 & x51 gunstock blanks

I am interested in restocking my Unique v49 & am interested in finding someone to turn my wood?

 

Unique v49/x51 furniture

Only place I see replacement wood now and then is oversees at naturabuy.fr website. Tough to communicate and get something from there to the US though.

Your only hope is to kidnap TeddyBearRat and lock him up in a wood shop. He has made phenomenal replacement wood on his X51. It shouldn't be too tough, just widdle away everything that doesn't need to be there......

Side note....Seen you bid on that little gem on GB a few weeks ago. Turns out that thing was mint!

 

Early V49

Lakside Machine did you ever see another unique with this pommel style stock instead of the usual pistil grip style? I am pretty sure this is an early V49 and since all numbers match I think all but the sling swivels and pachmayer pad are original.

 

Yes, I have seen examples of that style of stock before. I have noted atleast 4or 5 different major stock changes in the v49 and x51 rifles. You definetly have an early bird there.

Just found an interesting comparison of a Browning 22 auto stock and your early v49 stock.

Who was peeking at who with that design?
http://www.simpsonltd.com/product_info.php?products_id=51194&osCsid=e996ca8797cbe5c7222b355616f2f174

 

They are very similar that is for sure, it is a style that I associate more with English side by side shotguns and German Drillings. You still see it in some Browning O&U shotguns too it definitely gives a stock a stylish look when well executed.

 

Target rifle

For all you Unique rifle owners out there, found a target rifle listing from an old, 1980, 'Complete .22', listing. Bet the LH version is rare ! Rather pricey, the next listing is a Winchester 52D for $393:

 

For all you Unique rifle owners out there, found a target rifle listing from an old, 1980, 'Complete .22', listing. Bet the LH version is rare ! Rather pricey, the next listing is a Winchester 52D for $393:

Strangely enough the left hand version is the only one I have ever seen. This one has won me a fair amount of money and pork steaks over the years.

 

Lets give the faux history a rest and get back to rifles . . .

I have just acquired a X-51 bis that has a variation I have not struck before, this rifle does not have any open sights, or any provision for them - its "clean".

I bought the rifle on spec, it was offered "without a magazine" but since I had a spare mag that I couldn't trade off I decided it was worth a punt - and received a well used but fully functional rifle for a very modest sum. My magazine fits and functions (which I understand is not always the case).

This rifle also has a very nice trigger (for a semi-auto generally), its the most remarkable trigger I've come across in an X-51, under 5 lbs I'd say and quite short.

 

Hi TBR,

Just purchased one of these from an estate sale and the slide mechanism is missing the retainer pin. Are these pressed in or is there a threaded piece on the inside ? Thanks

 

My X-51 is missing the retaining pin on the slide mechanism. Is this pressed in or designed to be removable ?