Israeli Mauser
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Could that one have been one of the Norwegian re-barrel ones, you ran across?
After WW2 the Israeli's were supplied with captured Mausers converted to .308 ( 7.62x51) to help them in their fight to form a country.
I bought one years ago, took apart to clean it & sand came out of the buttplate. Part of the Sinai desert ???
I bought one years ago, took apart to clean it & sand came out of the buttplate. Part of the Sinai desert ???
The Israelis purchased a large amount of weapons from Czechoslovakia. Mauser rifles and MG34 machineguns were among the materiel acquired. All in calibre 7.92x57. Years later, after they had standarized on the 7.62x51 FN-FAL rifle, many of the Mauser rifles were converted to 7.62x51. It is my understanding the barrels were FN made, don't know if that is actually the case. The bolt action rifles were relegated to 2nd line issue.
The Mauser rifles were primarily in K98k configuration. Many different receiver markings will be observed. There were also brand new FN Mausers acquired, with the IDF crest on the receiver ring. Not all Mausers were converted to to 7.62. The ones that remained in 8mm had grooves cut in the bolt handles so they could be easily indentified. The 7.62 rifles are well marked on their receivers and butts. I have observed 2 different patterns of magazine modification for the shorter round. A large number of the 7.62 conversions were supplied to a Central American nation.
The Mauser rifles were primarily in K98k configuration. Many different receiver markings will be observed. There were also brand new FN Mausers acquired, with the IDF crest on the receiver ring. Not all Mausers were converted to to 7.62. The ones that remained in 8mm had grooves cut in the bolt handles so they could be easily indentified. The 7.62 rifles are well marked on their receivers and butts. I have observed 2 different patterns of magazine modification for the shorter round. A large number of the 7.62 conversions were supplied to a Central American nation.
Northman999
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Yukon
I've got one of these, slightly sporterized. Shoots 308 win or 7.62x51 NATO. Very accurate, reliable rifle. I'd certainly reccomend you grab one if you get a good price on one. I have also seen the 30-06 norwegian rifles, but haven't been lucky enough to find one at a "can't pass on this" price!
The "7.62" Norwegian rifles are a good way to catch "know-it-all" rifle experts. Ask them what that means and the real experts will almost always try to tell you it means 7.62x51. Simply put, it means 30-06, as the stamp was likely put on before the 7.62x51 was in use. I have both, and I find that tidbits like this are what makes collecting and shooting milsurps so intriguing.
kjohn, I once believed as you that all of the Norwegian rifles marked "7.62" were chambered for 30-06.
A few years back I picked one up so marked from a decent collector type in my area.
He told me that it was 7.62x51 but I was sceptical. I tried to chamber a 30-06 cartridge only to have it come up short. I then inspected the chamber with a bore light and it was obviously cut shorter with a sharper shoulder and less body taper.
Out came the headspace gauges and sure enough they fit the chamber perfectly, confirming the case type. Next, off to the range.
Still being a bit sceptical (my conservative streak) I tied the rifle to a lead sled and fired a round. The case extracted perfectly and there wasn't any distortion of the brass.
Feeling a lot better about the whole thing, I fired off another 20 rounds without a problem. The bore is almost pristine which is more than can be said of the stock. All numbers have been force matched and the stock has a rather crude repair, behind the bolt handle. It also is finished with that awful Norwegian spar varnish.
It's an OK only shooter. Shoots Hertenberger 7.62x51 into 2 in at 100yds and the South African stuff into about 3 inches.
I have'nt tried any handloads or commercial ammo in it nor will I. Other than a curiosity and maybe slightly rare, it's just a mauser. I love mausers by the way and Enfields and Springfields and Lee Enfields, Garands, I think you get the picture.
From your comment above, you to have a Norwegian mauser in 7.62x51. It's the first one I've heard of other than mine. How is it finished and does it shoot better than mine?
A few years back I picked one up so marked from a decent collector type in my area.
He told me that it was 7.62x51 but I was sceptical. I tried to chamber a 30-06 cartridge only to have it come up short. I then inspected the chamber with a bore light and it was obviously cut shorter with a sharper shoulder and less body taper.
Out came the headspace gauges and sure enough they fit the chamber perfectly, confirming the case type. Next, off to the range.
Still being a bit sceptical (my conservative streak) I tied the rifle to a lead sled and fired a round. The case extracted perfectly and there wasn't any distortion of the brass.
Feeling a lot better about the whole thing, I fired off another 20 rounds without a problem. The bore is almost pristine which is more than can be said of the stock. All numbers have been force matched and the stock has a rather crude repair, behind the bolt handle. It also is finished with that awful Norwegian spar varnish.
It's an OK only shooter. Shoots Hertenberger 7.62x51 into 2 in at 100yds and the South African stuff into about 3 inches.
I have'nt tried any handloads or commercial ammo in it nor will I. Other than a curiosity and maybe slightly rare, it's just a mauser. I love mausers by the way and Enfields and Springfields and Lee Enfields, Garands, I think you get the picture.
From your comment above, you to have a Norwegian mauser in 7.62x51. It's the first one I've heard of other than mine. How is it finished and does it shoot better than mine?
delta1
CGN frequent flyer
I have an Israeli it also is marked 7.62 on the stock at the bottom of the butt and on top of the receiver ring. It measures out at 308. I have a nimrod scope to go on it, trying to find the proper rings for the scope has been a struggle so far. I have done reloads with Varget and 168s that will shoot right at an inch at 100 have never gotten under the inch yet. The bore is very good once i cleaned it for a few hours and the wood is great.
By the way the receiver also has the markings M118 ball on it.
By the way the receiver also has the markings M118 ball on it.
Hi-Standard
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Republic of Newfoundland
I would suspect, although I may be wrong that any Israeli stamped 7.62 was originally chambered in 7.62X51 and possibly reamed, or rechambered to 30-06 at a later date? Although all of the Israeli Mausers I have seen and the one I used to own were very accurate, reliable they were not. Bloody jam-o-matics. I believe due to the fact that they were originally chambered in a much longer round then the 7.62X51, therefor I would suspect a much more reliable feed in 7.62X63(aka 30-06 Springfield) This is only a guess on my part, but mine jammed so bad I dumped it.
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Winchester-1897
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Newmarket,Ontario
I've never once had a problem with my Israeli Mauser Jamming.
Tiriaq has it right. I imported a couple thousand under Global Arms in 1987. All originally came to Israel as 7.92 mausers almost all originated in Chek. They were converted to 7.62x51 and 22 LR. (small amount) single shot. All I saw were headspaced properly. But watch out for mismatched bolts. They should have a electric pencil number on bolt matching to rifle. Do not go by original bold stamp. Good shooters! The 30-06 conversions were from Norway? and are marked totally diff.
