Mauser experts, is this a GC FN?

[yorgi]

It's a Greek-crested M1930 FN Mauser with a pristine bore. The magazine follower, bayo lug and bolt release have German (Waffenamt?) proof marks. Mismatched parts all over but in great condition overall.

I read somewhere that 20000 of the original Greek order guns where captured by the Germans when they invaded Belgium, could this be one of their captured rifles? I'm theorizing that the remaining stocks of parts were put together and any extra parts used were stamped, was this the common practice at the time? Is it possible that the stamped parts are off a Kar98? Not really sure if there is any part interchangeability.

Lastly, does anyone know the significance (if any) of the number 119 painted on the stock? Is this code for anything or maybe a unit designation?

 

[jbmauser]

Is this the one Epps had? I missed it by a bit.

Good score.

The two parts you show are off of German K98k's but how they got there is any body's guess. The bolt stop is off a Mauser Oberndorf made K98k from 40-41 and numbered to the rifle it came off of. The front band is off a BSW K98k possibly? I'm not sure on that one off the top of my head. I'd have to look it up. I haven't read anything about Greek 1930's being captured at the FN plant so I can't comment on that but even if this one was, these parts would not have been laying around the FN plant for assembly in to a rifle.

Since it is a complete m/m of parts, I would suspect post war assembly by someone using what ever parts they had on hand to make a complete rifle.

The 119 is probably a rack number.

Nice rifle overall and the Greek Mauser's are pretty hard to find up here. Do you have more pics?

 

[MiG25]

The few Greek 1930's I've seen all had a few German marked parts, I'd assume the Greeks cannibalized German rifles post WWII.

 

[yorgi]

Thanks jbmauser, as always, you never disappoint with your encyclopedic Mauser knowledge, I truly appreciate the concise info.

Yes, it was indeed the one Epps had for sale, I can thank a gentleman CGNer for pointing me to it. He remembered my affliction to anything Hellenic and was nice enough to give me the call. I have another mismatched one in my collection but the bore on that one is not nearly as good, still, it shoots like a dream and I can't tell you how excited I am to take this one to the range soon!

 

[jbmauser]

The few Greek 1930's I've seen all had a few German marked parts, I'd assume the Greeks cannibalized German rifles post WWII.

This could be another very likely scenario for the German parts on it.