dgradinaru
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Oberndorf Mauser
- Thread starter 1899
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Recently picked up this Oberndorf Mauser Model M in 30-06. from Reliable.. They were asking too much for it, but I negotiated with the actual owner of the rifle and managed to get the price down to something a bit more reasonable.
I have a Model M, also in 30-06, with a serial number only four numbers later. (So probably made the same day in 1922 or 1923.) However, that one has a more conventional Lyman #35 sight. (See the last photo.) The "new" Model M, has a receiver peep sight that also mounts on the bolt stop like the Lyman #35, (no drilling and tapping), but it does not resemble the Lyman in any other way. I can find no manufacturer's markings on it. There is also no indication that any open rear sight was ever installed, so it may be a factory installation. I know Mauser kept a supply of Lyman sights on hand for installation, per customer request, but this sight is different.
Has anyone ever seen this particular peep sight? I have not.
As an unexpected bonus, it came with a brass cleaning rod stored in the buttstock. Hard to remove, it seems to have been stuck in there for quite some time. Each section of the 5-piece rod has a number, and it is the correct length for the short barrel.
Another interesting feature is the factory-installed steel recoil cross-bolt.
The rifle is in overall VG+ condition with great wood and an excellent bore.
View attachment 919582
I have a Model M, also in 30-06, with a serial number only four numbers later. (So probably made the same day in 1922 or 1923.) However, that one has a more conventional Lyman #35 sight. (See the last photo.) The "new" Model M, has a receiver peep sight that also mounts on the bolt stop like the Lyman #35, (no drilling and tapping), but it does not resemble the Lyman in any other way. I can find no manufacturer's markings on it. There is also no indication that any open rear sight was ever installed, so it may be a factory installation. I know Mauser kept a supply of Lyman sights on hand for installation, per customer request, but this sight is different.
Has anyone ever seen this particular peep sight? I have not.
As an unexpected bonus, it came with a brass cleaning rod stored in the buttstock. Hard to remove, it seems to have been stuck in there for quite some time. Each section of the 5-piece rod has a number, and it is the correct length for the short barrel.
Another interesting feature is the factory-installed steel recoil cross-bolt.
The rifle is in overall VG+ condition with great wood and an excellent bore.
View attachment 919582
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https://www.dorleac-dorleac.com/arme/mauser-african-modell/?lang=enI picked up an original Orbendorf model A (African) in 9.3x62 Mauser. It's a little different as has a 29" barrel with African 3 leaf sight, has a longer than normal fore end with horn tip. Barrel band on barrel, the only thing that wasn't original was a Pachmeyer pad put on in the 1960's, thank God the stock was not cut, the original curve wasn't cut off, so I just need to find an original Mauser banner butplate and screws to complete the rifle back to factory specs.
This gun came from an older fellow who's dad was a gunsmith for Ellwood Epps. It came with handloads, and gave how much higher or lower than the factory sights, as the loads were 270gr Speer bullets.
I am sure I can get it shooting to POA once I load sum 286-289 gr bullets.
This gun was built I believe in 1931.
I've never took it moose hunting due to the long open range I've been hunting the last few years. But am taking deer hunting for the 2025 season , should be fun.
Don't ask for photos, as am Teck illiterate.
I was lucky a good friend put me on this rifle, as he didn't have the funds or knowledge of wether it was real!
Love the Mausers that the US master gunsmiths made in the 1930-50 period
Cheers ,happy new year, Dale Z
Quality varies greatly in Mauser factory sporter stock woods, all walnut, but ranging from what would now be graded as "utility" up to near "exhibition" grade. I know a customer could request wood upgrades when placing an order with Mauser, however, I have never seen or heard of any specifics concerning this. Does anyone know the details of ordering the wood upgrade? Also, any noted decline in wood quality during war(s) years? Any knowledge of walnut sources? There is nothing in Speed's books...nor did he add much when I contacted him about this issue.
Examples below, all on otherwise standard models M and S. Bottom two photos are both 1923, and the "utility" grade at top is late sporting rifle production from the early war years, 1939-1940 or possibly a bit later.
Examples below, all on otherwise standard models M and S. Bottom two photos are both 1923, and the "utility" grade at top is late sporting rifle production from the early war years, 1939-1940 or possibly a bit later.
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re: PRICES
I see a Model S in 30-06 for sale right now in Canada with a cracked stock, a ground-down, bent and reblued bolt handle, after-market white line recoil pad, drilled and tapped for scope, ground down non-functional safety lever, all metal likely reblued, and the very plain stock wood that is also likely refinished...Yet it is described as being in "excellent working condition." They are asking $3500 (double its actual value?). It comes with an old Lyman Alaskan scope.
On the other hand, last weekend I saw a poorly described and poorly photographed Model B in 30-06 go for $850. at Maynards auction in Vancouver. After Maynard's very high buyers' premium, fees and all taxes are paid... probably an actual price around $1500. Depending on condition (again, hard to determine from their catalog), it might have been a good deal.
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I acquired mine from Century Arms. It was in their showroom where they displayed samples of their catalogued items along with items of which they had too few pieces to catalogue. It had originated in Bangladesh. Someone had painted 30-06 on the stock, but it is 8x57. Small silver shield on the butt, no doubt applied by the original owner. The rifle had come to Canada along with a load of military surplus rifles. I suspect that it had gone to the sub-continent with an ex-pat and eventually wound up as a game keepers rifle. Chipped buttplate but otherwise intact, well used. Good shooter. Paid a lot less than the numbers mentioned above.
I have trouble with open sights; have a Lyman cocking piece sight. I intend to install this on a spare cocking piece so as not to alter the original.
In the same batch from Bangladesh was an Anschutz Model 54 Super Match which I bought as well. Ever see an Anschutz target rifle in Third World military surplus condition?
I have trouble with open sights; have a Lyman cocking piece sight. I intend to install this on a spare cocking piece so as not to alter the original.
In the same batch from Bangladesh was an Anschutz Model 54 Super Match which I bought as well. Ever see an Anschutz target rifle in Third World military surplus condition?
I like the Lyman 35 peep sight that fits over the Mauser bolt release. I have them on four of my rifles. There is no modification of the metal, just a slight removal of the stock wood immediately under the bolt release. They aren't common, but are not as rare as some would have you believe. You will see them advertised for crazy money, especially in the USA, but in my experience, at least in Canada, they can still be found for a reasonable price.
(Mauser kept a supply of various Lyman and other peep sights on hand for factory installation as per customer requests.)
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I have also seen Mauser factory installed bolt release peep sights (I know of at least two German types, plus the Lyman 35) with a machine screw installed in the wood below the bolt release, at the front (non-pivot) end, apparently to take up any slight wobble in the bolt release.
This is similar to the (British?) practice of putting two screws, one on either side, under the Mauser bolt shroud to eliminate movement in the shroud when using a cocking piece peep sight. (see picture below of these paired screws in a Gibbs Mauser 98 sporter.)
This is similar to the (British?) practice of putting two screws, one on either side, under the Mauser bolt shroud to eliminate movement in the shroud when using a cocking piece peep sight. (see picture below of these paired screws in a Gibbs Mauser 98 sporter.)
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