help identifying Mauser

jager911 · November 11, 2018, 10:45 AM

Hello,
I recently inherited my grandfather's rifle and have a couple questions. I have been unable to locate any serial number, make, cal., etc. I believe my father said it was an 8mm. The only proof stamps I found were on the slide release (small crown / "D" and 87) not sure about the "D" I also found a "5" on bolt arm and on base plate. The spring inside the base plate has "46". I have not been able to locate anything on the significance of the markings or numbers.

I did some research and found some identical engravings on another site. some responses indicated it was pre war guild gun or Persian mauser.

Here is a link to Facebook album if the photo upload did not work.
https://www.facebook.com/michael.wig...5010099&type=3

Thanks for any assistance. Would love to know more about rifle at what cal. it is.

Thanks
Mike

Jim Watson · November 11, 2018, 12:01 PM

There should be proof marks SOMEPLACE. Maybe on the bottom of the barrel.

Gemmer · November 11, 2018, 12:27 PM

It’s a Mauser that has been sportorized. When done, the original markings were removed. Don’t think there is any way to determine what the original was. The stock is aftermarket. Take it to a gunsmith to determine the caliber.

Jim Watson · November 11, 2018, 04:16 PM

Interesting that the engraving - which is of apprentice, not better than journeyman quality - is cut to clear the Weaver scope bases.
There were a good number of losing side rifles fixed up for Occupation personnel, army rations, cigarettes, and nylon stockings were common coin.

highpower3006 · November 11, 2018, 08:53 PM

The only thing I can add to the above posts is that the bolt release has Imperial German proofs, which in and of itself means very little except that the part was made before 1918.

mapsjanhere · November 13, 2018, 07:56 PM

I think this gone underwent a double transformation. It looks like a standard German hunting rifle made from an old military system. The double set trigger "stecher" is classic.
I think it was then brought to the US and "improved" to appeal to US tastes.
The caliber needs investigating, as a potential "between the wars" product it might be one of the German 8x64 guns that were rechambered to get around Versailles restrictions.

T. O'Heir · November 14, 2018, 12:40 PM

Not seeing the pictures and Facebook says the page isn't available.
Slug the barrel. That'll give you the calibre. It won't tell you what cartridge though. That'll require Cerrosafe(Brownell's) and doing a chamber cast. Easy thing to do, but if you have any doubts, take it to a smithy.
From what the other posts say it could be any calibre or cartridge though. What your pop said is probably true, except there are more 8mm cartridges than just 8mm Mauser. It could be a .318" barrel or a rimmed 8mm. Slugging the barrel will tell you the first for sure. A chamber cast will tell you what the case looks like.

Jim Watson · November 14, 2018, 03:11 PM

True, it might well be a 7.9x57 .318" pre 1906 or even later as some German Expert Sporter Builders preferred the smaller diameter. More likely a regular 7.92x57 .323".
Might be an 8x60 either diameter.
Probably not rimmed, bolt action Mausers for rimmed cartridges do exist but are not at all common.

Grant 14 · November 17, 2018, 10:02 PM

Is the barrel stepped or a regular taper? It looks like an early commercial mouser to me, only because I tried to buy one very similar , many years ago. Chamber cast (cerrosafe) and slugging the barrel will tell you the caliber but it is old enough that you might as well have a gunsmith do a head space check in addition to the others. It will give you some piece of mind before the first trigger pull. I love those old classic European rifles. Grant.

November 11, 2018, 10:45 AM	#1
jager911 Junior Member Join Date: November 11, 2018 Posts: 1	help identifying Mauser Hello, I recently inherited my grandfather's rifle and have a couple questions. I have been unable to locate any serial number, make, cal., etc. I believe my father said it was an 8mm. The only proof stamps I found were on the slide release (small crown / "D" and 87) not sure about the "D" I also found a "5" on bolt arm and on base plate. The spring inside the base plate has "46". I have not been able to locate anything on the significance of the markings or numbers. I did some research and found some identical engravings on another site. some responses indicated it was pre war guild gun or Persian mauser. Here is a link to Facebook album if the photo upload did not work. https://www.facebook.com/michael.wig...5010099&type=3 Thanks for any assistance. Would love to know more about rifle at what cal. it is. Thanks Mike

November 13, 2018, 07:56 PM	#6
mapsjanhere Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 2,832	I think this gone underwent a double transformation. It looks like a standard German hunting rifle made from an old military system. The double set trigger "stecher" is classic. I think it was then brought to the US and "improved" to appeal to US tastes. The caliber needs investigating, as a potential "between the wars" product it might be one of the German 8x64 guns that were rechambered to get around Versailles restrictions. __________________ 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.

November 14, 2018, 12:40 PM	#7
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Not seeing the pictures and Facebook says the page isn't available. Slug the barrel. That'll give you the calibre. It won't tell you what cartridge though. That'll require Cerrosafe(Brownell's) and doing a chamber cast. Easy thing to do, but if you have any doubts, take it to a smithy. From what the other posts say it could be any calibre or cartridge though. What your pop said is probably true, except there are more 8mm cartridges than just 8mm Mauser. It could be a .318" barrel or a rimmed 8mm. Slugging the barrel will tell you the first for sure. A chamber cast will tell you what the case looks like. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

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November 11, 2018, 12:01 PM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,529	There should be proof marks SOMEPLACE. Maybe on the bottom of the barrel.

November 11, 2018, 12:27 PM	#3
Gemmer Member Join Date: November 15, 2013 Posts: 38	It’s a Mauser that has been sportorized. When done, the original markings were removed. Don’t think there is any way to determine what the original was. The stock is aftermarket. Take it to a gunsmith to determine the caliber.

November 11, 2018, 04:16 PM	#4
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,529	Interesting that the engraving - which is of apprentice, not better than journeyman quality - is cut to clear the Weaver scope bases. There were a good number of losing side rifles fixed up for Occupation personnel, army rations, cigarettes, and nylon stockings were common coin.

November 11, 2018, 08:53 PM	#5
highpower3006 Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2011 Location: Savannah TN Posts: 1,219	The only thing I can add to the above posts is that the bolt release has Imperial German proofs, which in and of itself means very little except that the part was made before 1918.

November 14, 2018, 03:11 PM	#8
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,529	True, it might well be a 7.9x57 .318" pre 1906 or even later as some German Expert Sporter Builders preferred the smaller diameter. More likely a regular 7.92x57 .323". Might be an 8x60 either diameter. Probably not rimmed, bolt action Mausers for rimmed cartridges do exist but are not at all common.

November 17, 2018, 10:02 PM	#9
Grant 14 Senior Member Join Date: February 10, 2018 Posts: 167	Is the barrel stepped or a regular taper? It looks like an early commercial mouser to me, only because I tried to buy one very similar , many years ago. Chamber cast (cerrosafe) and slugging the barrel will tell you the caliber but it is old enough that you might as well have a gunsmith do a head space check in addition to the others. It will give you some piece of mind before the first trigger pull. I love those old classic European rifles. Grant.