[Scorch]

Unless it has been tampered with, the Oviedo (Spanish) Mauser you were looking at is most likely a Modelo 1916 (1893 Mauser action) in 7X57mm (7mm Mauser). If it is in safe working condition, it will fire factory 7X57 ammo. Federal, Remington, and Winchester all load ammo for 7X57. These rifles typically sell for between $150 to $200. I would not pay more than $170 for one, even if it is really clean. From your description, it sounds like the rifle you saw has been refinished, at least the wood.

Mauser Werke (later Deutsche Waffen und Munizion Fabrik) was the largest producer and seller of military weapons in the world for about 75 years. They made numerous models of rifles (depending on the client nation's budget), in many chamberings. They also set up weapons factories in many other nations around the world (including the Oviedo armory in Spain) to make that nation's military arms, for which they received a royalty payment for each weapon produced. They dominated the world's military arms market without affecting their own factories' capacity to produce more rifles (pretty smart, huh?). In fact, they would supply opposing sides in a conflict with progressively better weapons and keep them fighting.

While most people know the 8X57mmJS chambering due to the fact that Germany successfully used it to lose 2 World Wars, there were many other chamberings. The 7X57 chambering is the second most common, being used by many South American nations, Mexico, Spain (remember San Juan Hill?), and the Boers in South Africa among others. 7.65 Belgian Mauser was common in many of the opposing armies' arsenals (don't want your enemies to get and use your ammo against you). Some nations had more than one official service round (one chambering for police and national guard, the other for the military).

End of the history lesson, thank you for your attention. Please leave a small donation on your way out.