Mauser ID Help Please

[Ganderite]

I have had this rifle for a long time. Have not shot it for 20 years, but according to the log book, it shoots quite well. I don't know what it is.

Most Mausers I have seen have a date on the receiver. This one does not. The obvious charateristcs are:

Protective ears on the front sight
A straight bolt.
Serial number starts EA (Spanish?)
Flat butt plate (not cupped)
Crest on receiver looks like a crown over a winged motif
All number match
Small stamp on receiver Cal 7.92

 

[green]

Spanish Air Force Model 1943.

 

[Ganderite]

Thank you. The father of my FR8?

 

[Nabs]

That is a nice looking rifle.

 

[smellie]

The Spanish Mausers are not as popular as the German or Czech ones, but they certainly shoot well enough.

I think that part of it is the issue that 'everybody knows' that Spain can'r make a good gun (my Astra certainly is a good gun!).... and the fact that 'everybody knows' that Spain wasn't part of WW2.

Everybody has forgotten the Blue Division, not to mention the tiny fact that the Spanish Civil War was the dress-rehearsal for WW2 in so very many ways.

The rifles have an honourable history. They were made in Army and Ar Force varieties, identical except for the markings.

Your Air Force rifle is a lovely specimen. All you need now is a Heinkel 111!
.

 

[Ganderite]

I as shocked to discover it is Spanish. It is well made and well-blued. I was thinking pre-WW2 German. It shot quite well.

I will try it out in a Vintage match.

 

[Desert_Fox]

Thank you. The father of my FR8?

That it is!

PS: Want to sell your FR8?

 

[Brutus]

IIRC, there was a Spanish division of the SS as volunteers on the Eastern Front. Certainly not offically Spanish, just like all the other Viking Divisions sent to Russia to fight on the side of Germany.

 

[Ganderite]

Mine is in better shape than those pictures would suggest, It never made it to the Eastern front. More likely sat in a security post at a Spanish airfield somewhere.

 

[Brutus]

Mine is in better shape than those pictures would suggest, It never made it to the Eastern front. More likely sat in a security post at a Spanish airfield somewhere.

Judging by the very good condition of this rifle I would say you are spot on friend.

Have a good one!