Mauser Picture Thread

[R005t3r]

I may be willfully blind but I can't find a Mauser picture thread anywhere on this forum. If I am mistaken, please disabuse me of my misconception. Otherwise allow me to start with this lovely, matching example of a 1909 Argentine Mauser in 7.65x53mm Mauser.

 

[kjohn]

Very nice rifle. Those Argentine and other South American rifles are nicely made. Thanks for posting!

 

[R005t3r]

Mauser K98b

All matching K98b. Converted post 1920 Gew.98 to conform with The Treaty of Versailles.

 

[R005t3r]

OVS Mauser Mod. 1897

Model 1893 made in 1897 as part of an OVS order of 7000. It is a Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken made rifle for the Oranje Vrij Staat (Orange Free State) which is marked "Mod. Mauser 1897" on its side rail, with the "DWM" commercial logo as its receiver ring crest. The stamp was only present on rifles in the 1900 through 2900 serial number. Lucky me. This example has been personalised by its owner; cut and crowned, custom front sight, bolt handle bent, ball shaved and restocked in a carbine stock.

 

[R005t3r]

Polish K98AZ

This is a very nice example of the Polish-made version of the original WW1-era Mauser K98 AZ rifle, manufactured in the Radom arsenals. This one was arsenal refurbished, likely for re-issue during the Spanish Civil War in the 1930's. The "A" cartouche identifies it a Spanish Civil War rifle. The crest on the receiver was ground, the gun was refinished, and many of the parts were replaced. No import marks. Matching parts to the receiver include the bolt body, stock, floor plate, trigger group, and front sight. All other parts are mismatched. Polish ones typically have 3 reinforcing dowels through the handguard and one through the bolt handle relief. The metal parts have retained most of their matte black finish. Finding a Polish K98AZ with all matching serials is like finding a needle in a haystack. The stock is nice, only minor dings here and there. The bore is shiny with good rifling and has the nifty muzzle cap.

 

[hale1940]

Ill join in! Nice honest and matching K98k dot44.

 

[mahogany]

Here is my latest pickup. All matching BCD45 w/ mostly phosphate finish

 

[R005t3r]

Thank you gents for your very nice K98 examples. I was getting lonely.

 

[mahogany]

Thanks for starting this thread! You have some rare beauties yourself

Here are some pics of my all matching tiger stripe walnut BYF43

 

[hale1940]

Great photos Matt!

Here is another one of mine. Erfurt 1916 K98a.

 

[R005t3r]

Those are both impressive pieces. You'd think the the stock on the byf43 was Swedish. Love that quarter sawn curl.

 

[bearhunter]

Ill join in! Nice honest and matching K98k dot44.
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Just out of curiosity, your rifle's extractor has the plum color, associated with Russian Capture refinishing, due to chemical differences of the original process. Does the 2 digit number just above the extractor claw match the last two digits on the rest of the rifle??

The stock appears to have been refinished as well, a color combo I've seen on RCs when the FTR finish has been removed and left a bit of a stain.

I like the rifle and its appearance. There were a lot of early RCs that were painstakingly put together using the matching parts if they were still serviceable. Especially if they were done in formerly Axis nations, such as East Germany.

I was fooled once by such a rifle that had been FTRed for the East German Police. It to was all matching, other than a similar colored extractor and an add on sight protector.

 

[hale1940]

Just out of curiosity, your rifle's extractor has the plum color, associated with Russian Capture refinishing, due to chemical differences of the original process. Does the 2 digit number just above the extractor claw match the last two digits on the rest of the rifle??

The stock appears to have been refinished as well, a color combo I've seen on RCs when the FTR finish has been removed and left a bit of a stain.

I like the rifle and its appearance. There were a lot of early RCs that were painstakingly put together using the matching parts if they were still serviceable. Especially if they were done in formerly Axis nations, such as East Germany.

I was fooled once by such a rifle that had been FTRed for the East German Police. It to was all matching, other than a similar colored extractor and an add on sight protector.

Hey bearhunter,

The rifle is in fact 100% correct and original. Its just in really really nice shape and I think that can throw people off sometimes.

Plum colored parts are quite common on German K98k's from the factory, especially in the extractors (though you'll see it on other metal parts from time to time. I have bnz44 that has plum barrel in fact). This was due to inconsistent salt content in the bluing solution and was really quite common. Its a misconception that its a Russian specific manufacturing characteristic. And yes, the extractor is numbered to the rifle.

The stock finish is also correct for Brunn (code dot) rifle from this time period and shows no signs of being refinished. The stock in white glue laminate, and the stock and handguard are also both 'dot' marked and internally numbered to the rifle.

Rifles like this one are really not hard to authenticate if you know what to look for. Its a pretty standard, albeit very nice, dot44 from very early 1944. Plus, this rifle has been previous owned by some other serious German long arm collectors before me, and has been posted and authenticated on other collectors forums in the past.

 

[bearhunter]

Thanx for the information.

I've quite literally sorted through thousands of K98s and very seldom saw plum colored parts on any of them, other than those which had gone through FTRs.

I learn something new every day.

 

[hale1940]

Thanx for the information.

I've quite literally sorted through thousands of K98s and very seldom saw plum colored parts on any of them, other than those which had gone through FTRs.

I learn something new every day.

Its a weird little quirk that people often mistake for having some relationship to postwar refurbishment. If I am being more precise, I believe it actually has something to do with the salt solution not being quite hot enough during the bluing process. Its most commonly seen on extractors, bolt release springs, rear sight springs...all of which were made of spring steel...so I've also heard the steel type might have something to do with it as well, since its most commonly seen on parts made of the type of steel. However, like I said before, sometimes it'll even show up on other components like barrels and bolt bodies. I've even seen an example with a pretty well purple receiver. Perhaps I'll post my bnz44 next, which has a pretty damn purple barrel. Looks pretty cool lol.

 

[R005t3r]

Another Tedious Model 1935

Recently picked this little beauty up. Had to warm the bolt to disassemble and clean it. Cosmo was like glue and stuffed full, as was the bore. At least I know it was unfired since the factory test. As far as I'm concerned, this is the pinnacle of Mauser military production.

 

[R005t3r]

Thanx for the information.

I've quite literally sorted through thousands of K98s and very seldom saw plum colored parts on any of them, other than those which had gone through FTRs.

I learn something new every day.

"...literally sorted through thousands of K98s..." Just when I was starting to like you

 

[student of history]

This is a neat idea for a thread. You’ve pulled me from my armchair and inspired some participation. I’ll post more when time permits, but for now I’ll just drop a little teaser. All four rifles are original and not clones.

 

[bearhunter]

"...literally sorted through thousands of K98s..." Just when I was starting to like you

It's true, I have quite literally sorted through several thousand K98s in and out of Canada.

I was lucky enough to be able to pick a few of the best out of every batch, other than those specially chosen by my employer at the time, Alan Lever.

Unless it was a beater, Mr Lever would scoop every "sniper rifle'' available, along with all of the available accessories, didn't matter what type of rifle, calibre or manufacturer. He had a ''special'' clientele that paid a premium price for access to those rifles and I couldn't afford to be in that tight little circle.

I've sold all but a few off.

I sorted through Mausers in Canadian/US/Mexican/South American/African and even one European warehouse.

To be honest, after a while, they all sort of blended together and other than a few special to me rifles I was more interested in the overall condition and eventual value of the lots being offered for sale at retail outlets.

Still, just because I've seen, handled, dismantled, reassembled after cleaning so many 98 type firearms, there's always something new that crops up. I learned a long time ago to never say never when it comes to anything concerning 98s.

Just because I haven't seen or noticed it, doesn't mean it isn't real.

Nice rifle by the way.

 

[hale1940]

Fantastic 1935 Brazilian. I had one myself but sold it off a while ago. I would agree one of the nicest Mauser models ever made. Though I think my next post gives it a run for its money….