Need help to ID rifle

[Maqaiti]

This rifle belongs to a friend which he was given a couple years ago.

The serial number is FR8-###XX, with a logo what looks like an eagle. Fabrica de APMAS, La Coruna 1950.

He said it is a .308. Other number is Co17XX. Please help identify this rifle and appraise if worth a little. He said he was asked if he would like to trade it for a new rifle. Thanks.

 

[SDC]

A Spanish FR8 Mauser, built at the La Coruna Arsenal in 1950; it should have "7.62" on the right side of the receiver. Can't help with the value, sorry, but I doubt I'D pay much for it.

 

[Maqaiti]

I could see it clearly, you're correct it reads cal 7.62. 7.62x39? Thanks for the quick post.

 

[tiriaq]

7.62 x 51.

 

[sunray]

Despite its current appearance, the rust isn't too far gone. A fine brass wire wheel in a bench grinder will take off the surface rust. Then a coat or two of BLO on the stock. Won't add much to the value though.

 

[PerversPépère]

Excuse me to be blunt but why does your friend need a NEW rifle? frankly, if he exacts the same treatment to the new one, I personally think he just doesn't deserve to own any firearm.
A badly cared for and neglected firearm is an accident waiting to happen.
PP.

 

[Maqaiti]

He has been storing it in a shed and not sure when it was last used.

 

[Calum]

Donate it to me, I'll pay the postage, I need a project rifle.
Besides I have seen much much worse get recovered.

Not sure how long it will last if it is kept in crap conditions like that though.

 

[Calum]

http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting2006/308vs762nato/index.asp

http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting/fr8/index.asp

 

[Claven2]

I wouldn;t give your buddy $50 for that rusted out POS... sorry dude.

 

[englishman_ca]

Value in its current state - $50, maybe, and I would haggle you down from there.

It looks to be a bit of a fixer upper, the finish can be restored, probably cleaning with fine steel wool and gun oil would remove most of the rust. You might be suprised, there might still be blueing underneath. BLO would improve the wood. Question is, if that is what the outside looks like, what about the inside?

If has a decent barrel then it has potential as a restoration project, if barrel is trashed, then it would be worth more stripped and sold as parts, otherwise it is a $50 parts rifle.

Clean the thing up, get rid of the rust which simpley shows neglect, then post again and ask for a drive by appraisal.

 

[Brutus]

Value in its current state - $50, maybe, and I would haggle you down
If has a decent barrel then it has potential as a restoration project, if barrel is trashed, then it would be worth more stripped and sold as parts, otherwise it is a $50 parts rifle.

From what I have seen of other spanish mausers thier quality of steel in the barrels were.....@#$&*
No offence, but this looks like a polar bear's dream rifle......

 

[Beater]

thats way sad

 

[Andy]

That might clean up pretty well, but there will be pitting. I've taken guns that had bore swabs coming out orange turn into good shooters.

Good FR-8's go for $300 and up. If the bore cleans up and is at least Good, it's probably a $150 gun.

 

[Joe Turner]

I suppose some of this is in the eye of the beholder. there may be a pretty decent firearm under th rust and dust but it would have to be carefully cleaned. Bore condition is important ands that is where rust may be a real problem. I think this rifle deserves a thorough breakdown and clean up so that you can better evaluate it for your friend. These particular rifles are not popular with a lot of folks but like the MAS36 they are robust and decently accurate. Anyway it is worth the effort to clean it up carefully to be able to better assess mechanical condition. If you lived nearby I would clean up for you just for the experience of working with it-haven't seen one in a long time. Joe

 

[SKScanuck]

Yep, a FR8 and not worth a lot due to the condition. Your looking at $50, maybe $75 if you clean it up.

 

[FirstHussar]

A friend of mine bought one of these from a dealer in Montreal and it is in Very good to Excellent shape. He only paid $110.00 for it. This guy should be giving this away for the shape it is in. Good project gun for someone if it is being offered FOC.

 

[Maqaiti]

Thanks for all the information guys. I told him about the rifle, not sure what to do with it now.

 

[smellie]

Correct cartridge for this baby is the 7.62x51 Bala Espanol, which looks like the NATO loading but is supposed to be lower pressure.

Most of that rust will come off with a little bit of Superfine-grade steel wool. I have bought "junk" that looks worse and had good results. Only thing that really matters is how well the inside of the bore cleans up.