Help with identification please

1300_stainless

1300_stainless

Regular
Rating - 100%
87   0   0
Location
Nova Scotia, Canada
I need help to identify this gun, and what caliber it would have been originally chambered in. It's definatly larger than .30 cal. This may be an easy one but I'm not a real milsurp guy. It's obviously been sporterized. I'll let the pictures do the talking. Any help is appreciated. Thanks

1.jpg

10.jpg

11.jpg

2.jpg

3.jpg

4.jpg

5.jpg

6.jpg

7.jpg

8-1.jpg

9.jpg
 
It looks like one of the mauser sporters that were so prevalent in the country between the 1st and 2nd world wars. Those double set triggers can be real dreams when you get used to them. It isn't rare or valuable but it is a fine rifle and capable of very good accuracy if the bore is in good shape.
They came in many different calibres. 9.3mm, 8mm, 7mm and some in 6.5mm. There may even be others.
If it were mine, I would clean it up, won't devalue it, and shoot it. If your eyes are good enough, don't d&t it. If they're like mine, you'll need a scope. Shoot it and enjoy it. It's more than likely chambered in 8x57mauser. Get it checked out first though. I'm surprised it's not marked on the left side of the barrel.
 
My google fu is weak this morning (pre coffee) and my gun books are packed away.
Perhaps a 1893 Spanish Mauser, or a Brazilian Model 1894.

Might be a nice fixer upper, and I certainly like the double set triggers.
How does the bore look?
 
Ok there is a marking on the left side of the reciever that looks to me like a "K90" and a "98" marking on the bolt head and safety switch if that makes sense to anyone.

As for the rifles condition the bore looks gross, front sights are bent/crooked, stock is cracked and the set trigger doesn't work.
 
Its not a standard '98 - it has the small receiver ring. There are small ring '98s, which are considered to be attractive making lightweight sporters. If it cocks on opening, its not one of the pre '98 Mausers.
If it were mine, I would scrub out the bore, see how bad it is. Repair the crack in the stock - that's what epoxy is for. Straighten up the front sight. Repair the set triggers. They might only need adjustment. Mechanically they are not complicated, should be easy enough to diagnose the problem.
 
It's certainly a '98 action, and one of the small ring ones. No obviously military markings, though we need a closeup of that marking on the left of the receiver ring. At this stage, calibre is still speculative.
 
it is a 98 small ring action...

the barrel is not original military (should be a step barrel), so it can be any caliber...

doesn't look in shootable condition anyway, so you got yourself a nice wall hanger.
 
That looks like one of the commercial sporters that was put out into the market between the world wars. You have what looks like the commercial stamp with loadings on the left side of the receiver, could be useful in telling you what it takes but that rifle is in poor shape and I would even suggest taking it to a gunsmith once you clean it down.

Try taking it apart and seeing what the internals look like. I have seen rifles that look bad on the outside but pristine on the inside so there is still hope for salvaging her.

If I had to guess what she may have been before being changed (i hate the "S" word) is a Gewehr 98 but you would have to check the barrel length. If it is shorter than ~ 29 inches (what my Gewehr 98b is) you may have a scrubbed Kar98AZ (~ 24 inches). When taking her apart, try and keep an eye open for any proof stamps that may have been left behind.

Edit: It is also possible it may be a sporter model built but not off a military rifle.
 
Last edited:
The only thing I can make out from the commercial stamp is "13.55 (13.35 ?) Gr". I am guessing this is the powder load for a round ?
 
The rifle looks to be a K98AZ Small ring 98 Mauser rifle. It has the flat bolt handle in the inside bend. Looks to be a serial number on the left hand side, possibly, looks to be in the german style of numbering (Not polish), the crown could be that of Wilhelm II.

As soon as I can post a pict, I will show you a rifle I had, same configuration on the action.

Pete
 
It looks as if a completely new barrel has been mated with the receiver, this could be a collection of different parts.

My best guess is to hope for some proof marks on the internals (firing pin...etc). Since the rifle is in poor shape anyways, you could get away with cleaning solutions that you wouldn't use on good ones. Hopefully there is something left under the rust.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom