Unknown Mauser

Abndoc · August 24, 2008, 04:04 PM

I was just in my local gunshop and they had an old mauser sporter in 8mm for sale.

The only mark I could find on it is a small crown over a stylized W. There are no other numbers or marks on it. The barrel is slender, about 22 inches in length and equipped with iron sights as well as a J.C. Higgins 4x scope.

The stock is walnut and has a schnaebel forend but, it also has a major repair behind the action.

It has double set triggers. I think that is what you call them.

The action /has a slot for a stripper clip, but I don't know if this was a feature of civilian actions or was strictly a military feature.

So, with these meager clues, doe's anybody have any info for this rifle?

Jim Watson · August 25, 2008, 09:14 AM

That is a toughie. Every Tom, Dick, and Harry; as well as every Franz, Hans, and Dieter was sporterizing Mausers after two world wars.

If you don't mind some speculation...

I would say it was originally done in Europe based on the double set triggers and schnabel foreend. I imagine it was originally sporterized after WW I, then confiscated in the Occupation and brought home after WW II and the scope added in the USA.

Where the first work was done is a good question. (Crown) W is the German proof mark for a shotgun and would not appear on a rifle. Nor is it used in Belgium or Austria.

Hawg · August 25, 2008, 11:15 AM

The stripper clip slot wouldn't be on a civilian gun so it's a sporterized military rifle. The slot should be in a hump. If the rear of the receiver has no hump then whoever did the work ground it off level. You can't use but one screw in the rear scope mount with the hump.

James K · August 25, 2008, 04:21 PM

Hi, Hawg,

The presence or absence of the clip slot alone doesn't necessarily distinguish between a Mauser sporter and a military rifle. Most original Oberndorf sporters have clip slots, as do other rifles made from those actions.

Jim

Hawg · August 25, 2008, 04:32 PM

OK, never saw a civilian model with it. I'll take your word for it.

Abndoc · August 25, 2008, 05:16 PM

I knew this would be a tough one. There is nothing on this rifle that is of any help.

Maybe I'll adopt it and go through it.

August 24, 2008, 04:04 PM	#1
Abndoc Senior Member Join Date: January 28, 2006 Location: Kalifornia Posts: 727	Unknown Mauser I was just in my local gunshop and they had an old mauser sporter in 8mm for sale. The only mark I could find on it is a small crown over a stylized W. There are no other numbers or marks on it. The barrel is slender, about 22 inches in length and equipped with iron sights as well as a J.C. Higgins 4x scope. The stock is walnut and has a schnaebel forend but, it also has a major repair behind the action. It has double set triggers. I think that is what you call them. The action /has a slot for a stripper clip, but I don't know if this was a feature of civilian actions or was strictly a military feature. So, with these meager clues, doe's anybody have any info for this rifle? __________________ With a little practice, writing can be an intimidating and impenetrable fog. Last edited by Abndoc; August 24, 2008 at 04:05 PM. Reason: Punctuation counts.

August 25, 2008, 05:16 PM	#6
Abndoc Senior Member Join Date: January 28, 2006 Location: Kalifornia Posts: 727	I knew this would be a tough one. There is nothing on this rifle that is of any help. Maybe I'll adopt it and go through it. __________________ With a little practice, writing can be an intimidating and impenetrable fog.

August 25, 2008, 09:14 AM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,541	That is a toughie. Every Tom, Dick, and Harry; as well as every Franz, Hans, and Dieter was sporterizing Mausers after two world wars. If you don't mind some speculation... I would say it was originally done in Europe based on the double set triggers and schnabel foreend. I imagine it was originally sporterized after WW I, then confiscated in the Occupation and brought home after WW II and the scope added in the USA. Where the first work was done is a good question. (Crown) W is the German proof mark for a shotgun and would not appear on a rifle. Nor is it used in Belgium or Austria.

August 25, 2008, 11:15 AM	#3
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	The stripper clip slot wouldn't be on a civilian gun so it's a sporterized military rifle. The slot should be in a hump. If the rear of the receiver has no hump then whoever did the work ground it off level. You can't use but one screw in the rear scope mount with the hump.

August 25, 2008, 04:21 PM	#4
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Hi, Hawg, The presence or absence of the clip slot alone doesn't necessarily distinguish between a Mauser sporter and a military rifle. Most original Oberndorf sporters have clip slots, as do other rifles made from those actions. Jim

August 25, 2008, 04:32 PM	#5
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	OK, never saw a civilian model with it. I'll take your word for it.