israeli mauser ?

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rgallant

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A few questions, I have what seems to be an Israeli mauser, in 7.62.

I will try to get some pictures of the various proof marks and post but briefly:

It is marked Spandu 1916 on the top of the reciever with a GEW 98 on the side in germanic script. Also 7.62 stamped in and a large 6 followed by a small 2.

There are 3 marks on the Right side.

Number 912, what looks like a lobster and a 6 pointed star with a J inside on the left side. There are some other marks on the left side one looks like a c another a half circle with a partial number.

There are a number of marks on the barrel including 7.62 and 'R' and 4 (hebrew symbols ?) inside an oval. In addition there is 7 - 57.

Any idea's where I can find out what all these markings mean ?

And no, there are no 2 numbers the same other than a 912 stamped on the bolt handle.

I have had this rifle for years, shoots fine but would like some more information.
 
7-57 means it was rebarrelled with a new 7.62 NATO barrel in July 1957. The Israelis bought up every surplus Mauser they could find in 1949 onward to equip their fledgeling armed forces. This included WW1 era Gew98's either in original trim, or converted to K98k pattern by the Nazis in WW2.

In the 50's they changed most of them from 7.92 to 7.62 so they would be ammo compatible with the IDF version of the SLR then comming into service.

The 6 pointed star is an ownership marking - a star of David.
 
PS: the "J" is actually a hebrew "I" for "Israel" ;)

Spandau was a WW1 era German arsenal that made the rifle's receiver originally in 1916.
 
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