The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > The North Corral > Curios and Relics

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old May 6, 2011, 12:23 AM   #1
Flixoman
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 5, 2011
Location: Kennesaw, GA
Posts: 4
Help identifying a Mauser

Hey guys:

Before my dad passed in November, he and I had a discussion about a rifle that he had gotten from his Uncle. Supposedly, it was brought back from WWI in an old milsurp canvas bag (which I still have) - but some of the details are a bit hazy (I blame my friend Jack Daniels - we were "indulging")

I have searched about every site that I could find...but I am at a loss as to its linage.

http://s1089.photobucket.com/albums/...nt=Overall.jpg - you can see its a Carbine length - right about 38" total. Chamber is 8mm (I do remember my dad telling me that). There are no stamped dates - there is pretty much only the SNs (matching) , the Fab. Herstal statement http://s1089.photobucket.com/albums/...iever-Left.jpg, and these two lion engravings http://s1089.photobucket.com/albums/...LeftDetail.jpg & http://s1089.photobucket.com/albums/...-TopDetail.jpg

Other things that I found odd was the checkered handgrips, the sight only ranged to 140M http://s1089.photobucket.com/albums/...=RearSight.jpg

Any idea guys? My dad had originally planned to have it drilled/tapped for a scope...but my opinion was that was a waste...so I have no such aspirations. If its just a "shooter" then so be it...if its not...then

Many thanks
//Jason
Flixoman is offline  
Old May 6, 2011, 07:51 AM   #2
gyvel
Senior Member
 
Join Date: August 30, 2009
Location: Northern AZ
Posts: 7,172
DO NOT TOUCH THAT RIFLE!!!!! You have an Ethiopian FN Model 1930 Short Rifle. My Blue Book, which is a 2006 edition, and now 5 years out of date, gives a value of $650.00 for that gun in 60% condition.
gyvel is offline  
Old May 6, 2011, 08:08 AM   #3
Flixoman
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 5, 2011
Location: Kennesaw, GA
Posts: 4
So I guess I should be glad that my dad never got around to fooling with it, eh?

Thanks for your help!
Flixoman is offline  
Old May 6, 2011, 08:43 AM   #4
Jim Watson
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 25, 2001
Location: Alabama
Posts: 18,453
SOMEBODY fooled with it.
Or did the Ethiopians specify checkering on military rifle stocks?
I doubt it.
Jim Watson is offline  
Old May 6, 2011, 08:44 AM   #5
gyvel
Senior Member
 
Join Date: August 30, 2009
Location: Northern AZ
Posts: 7,172
Absolutely. It's a fairly rare item. I'm wondering if it was a bringback from the North Africa campaigns, possibly taken from an Italian soldier who had fought in Ethiopia in 1935.
gyvel is offline  
Old May 6, 2011, 09:53 AM   #6
Flixoman
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 5, 2011
Location: Kennesaw, GA
Posts: 4
Interesting...a buddy of mine said that the grips look to be hand cut, but I am not sure when it was done - fairly certain that it was not done in South Alabama.
Flixoman is offline  
Old May 6, 2011, 03:46 PM   #7
gyvel
Senior Member
 
Join Date: August 30, 2009
Location: Northern AZ
Posts: 7,172
The checkering is obviously something that was added much, much later. I was remarking "absolutely" to the fact that your dad had never done anything to it. It's a rare rifle and, if the checkering isn't too deeply cut, the stock may possibly be restored to "original."
gyvel is offline  
Old May 6, 2011, 04:16 PM   #8
Flixoman
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 5, 2011
Location: Kennesaw, GA
Posts: 4
Thanks guys - it is a very interesting rifle and wish I knew more about it. I know I have 3 stripper clips and some ammo - will have to look at it when I get home.

You guys say the checkering was almost 100% likely added after it was liberated from axis hands? I guess i could have someone take a peek at getting the checkering "undone" if possible. Wish my great uncle had left more information or my dad had more info on it - would really like to know more about the history and its track from Ethiopia to a little old house in south Alabama.

Was it the lions that gave it away as being contracted for Ethiopia? Or serial #?

As for the future of this piece ...I am not sure what to do. I have my great uncle's 1911 w/US Army leather holster. I wont drill it or anything like that - not a hunter or anything like that.
Flixoman is offline  
Old May 7, 2011, 01:29 AM   #9
gyvel
Senior Member
 
Join Date: August 30, 2009
Location: Northern AZ
Posts: 7,172
It was the crest on the receiver.
gyvel is offline  
Old May 7, 2011, 08:36 AM   #10
mapsjanhere
Senior Member
 
Join Date: August 6, 2009
Location: Albuquerque
Posts: 2,832
Just to add, the sights were supposed to be good to 1400 meters, not 140. Some nice info here. In regards to the checkering, leave it be. Even if you get it steamed out you then need to refinish the stock, and the collectors (reduced) value of "stock with old checkering" and "stock refinished" is about the same.
__________________
I used to love being able to hit hard at 1000 yards. As I get older I find hitting a mini ram at 200 yards with the 22 oddly more satisfying.

Last edited by mapsjanhere; May 7, 2011 at 08:48 AM.
mapsjanhere is offline  
Old May 7, 2011, 10:11 AM   #11
jtb1967
Junior member
 
Join Date: September 29, 2004
Location: WV
Posts: 454
I agree it probably won't much difference value wise, but if the checkering wasn't too deep, I'd probably redo the stock just for looks. I'm talking minimum sanding, and then only if needed in the checkered area, and then an several applications of boiled linseed oil. I'm normally against any form of refinishing, but the checkering job killed the original condition part anyway.

Last edited by jtb1967; May 7, 2011 at 05:38 PM.
jtb1967 is offline  
Old May 7, 2011, 12:21 PM   #12
TX Hunter
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 11, 2010
Location: East Texas USA
Posts: 1,805
I would keep the rifle just as it is, checkering and all.
TX Hunter is offline  
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:44 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2021 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.05253 seconds with 10 queries