The Model 65’s ejection port is vaguely cartridge-shaped, narrowing at the front. The gas vent-hole design was later incorporated into Weatherby’s Mark V.

The principal change was the safety on the bolt shroud. The safety was never the same twice, from one model to the next. On the Model 54J, the safety was a two-position wing on the bolt shroud that swung from back to front; on the Model 60, it became a three-position wing, shaped like a latch, that swung forward and back similar to the Winchester Model 70.

With the Model 65, this was changed back to a two-position wing. The 65DL safety is a two-position wing that moves up and down, and the 68DL safety rocks up and forward, similar to the Weatherby Mark V. In all the designs, the safety locks the bolt, trigger and sear.

The first chambering for the Schultz & Larsen was, of course, the 7x61 S&H, and probably more of those rifles exist than any of the later cartridges for which it was offered. When Norma introduced its two superb belted magnums, the .308 Norma and .358 Norma in 1959, those chamberings were added for the Model 65.

When Phil Sharpe began work on his 7mm around 1947, there was nothing readily available in that caliber except the 7x57, and his dream was of a genuine 7mm magnum cartridge with a straight case, sharp shoulder, and large powder capacity.

The 7x61 S&H caught on with custom gunmakers, who produced, according to Sharpe "tens of thousands of rifles" chambered for it. It was carried to the far peaks by such well-known hunters as Clyde Ormond and Andy Russell. It became particularly popular in Canada, and when the Schultz & Larsen rifles appeared on the scene, many of them ended up in the Yukon, where it established a solid reputation.

All of this was not lost on the big American manufacturers, and in 1962 Remington unveiled its 7mm Remington Magnum. The cartridge outperformed the 7x61 S&H, and Remington rifles and ammunition were available in any gunshop at a fraction of the price. The 7mm Remington Magnum was the death knell for Sharpe's dream, and he died a year or two later under rather mysterious circumstances. Today, very little information about him is available.

Although Sharpe was gone, Schultz & Larsen did not give up on its rifle nor did Norma give up on the cartridge. Both brass and loaded ammunition were available until very recently, and Norma-Precision (Norma's U.S. subsidiary) became the Schultz & Larsen importer.

With the 7x61 overshadowed by the Remington, and the .308 Norma up against the new .300 Winchester Magnum, Schultz & Larsen knew it would have to change its rifle to survive. The 65DL incorporated several modifications. As well as a new safety, the ejection port was opened up slightly, and the rifle was chambered for about a dozen cartridges, from the .22-250 up to .458 Winchester Magnum--including all the major belted cartridges.

Although the basic Schultz & Larsen design is more than 50 years old, it still has a sleek, modern appearance. It was originally intended to chamber the 7x61 Sharpe & Hart.

One final model change became the last of the line: The Model 68DL was modified in several ways that owe something to the Weatherby Mark V, including a solid shroud, redesigned safety and floorplate release.

This rifle was available into the early 1970s, at which point spiraling labor costs in Europe spelled the end for an entire era of fine gunmaking. By 1971, the 68DL was priced at $485 (compared with $340 for a standard Weatherby Mark V).

The following year, Schultz & Larsen pulled out of the American market and has never returned. Ironically, at the same time, high costs forced Weatherby to abandon Sauer and switch production of the Mark V to Japan.