Can't see the muzzle in your photos.
Maybe the screw driver wielding wood worker was going to hacksaw the barrel shorter but gave up before he cut through ?????
Regardless of the workmanship, it's still a great action. 
I'd love to find a complete one someday.

It is a safety. I guess since the Borchardt did not have a hammer it needed a safety.

tbird1960 wrote on Jan 21^st, 2014 at 1:02pm:


Sharps Rifle Co used the safety as a selling feature because it was so difficult to accidentally knock it into the 'fire' position. 

That's a nice basic military action that seems to be little damaged apart from the modification to the trigger guard. I presume it was done by a previous owner as any descent gunsmith would have blended the extension into the same contours as the front part instead of leaving it looking rather odd. What was your original intention when you bought it? Some really beautiful rifles have been built on this action, it really depends on what you want to do to it and how much you want to spend. The sky's the limit then. Do enjoy it though the action is a classic and yours appears to be in good condition.

Harry.