Info on "Mauser"

saintdavid · June 11, 2001, 10:07 PM

I just got a barreled mauser action at a gun show to start building a rifle. I find only one mark on the top of the reciever no scattering of proofmarks and I want to find a source or forum to ID this action. It is a large ring mauser with the only ID mark a circle with three arcs forming an equalateral triangle in the center. Thanks for any information or pointers to info sources. I would like to know country of origin and approx date ie: pre WWI, post war, the 60's. And if this were a commercial or military piece originally.

saintdavid · June 13, 2001, 05:39 AM

Well I took a picture of the mark see if this helps.

James K · June 17, 2001, 03:17 PM

My first thought was oriental, but FWIW, I can find no mark that resembles that, either Japanese or Chinese. The "chakra" on the Siamese Mausers made in Japan is entirely different. Maybe someone else can identify it.

Chinese Mausers turn up with all sorts of markings, as several local "war lords" set up factories to make or refurbish rifles, and this may be the product of one of them.

You might resent this, and you have not asked, but I will be honest with you. There is no way I would build a rifle or spend any money on an action of unknown origin and unknown quality. There are too many good quality VZ-24 and K98 actions around at bargain prices to take a chance on that one.

Jim

saintdavid · June 18, 2001, 04:19 PM

No I do not resent your suggestion, that is one reason I had turned here to the Firing Line for information before sinking money on a cheap qestionable action. Thanks for the information, and help.

retpo · June 19, 2001, 06:44 PM

Jim, your in the right church with this mark.Factory symbol of China Kwang-tung Arsenal, "A Circle with Three Archs". This symbol is the only mark, besides the serial number on their rifles(no dates or model id.)
The Kwantung(Guandong) Arsenals also known as Canton(Guanghou) Arsenals,were located in provience of Kwatung(Guandong) in south China. Founded 1873 it mfg. Mauser Gew 98s in 1908. Made Chiang Kai-shek rifles in 1937,relocated to Rongzian in Kwangsi(Guangxi) Provience to avoid capture by Japanese.(Canton fell 21-10-38). Relocated in '39 as Japanese advanced. Not much known after China fell to the communists.

saintdavid · June 19, 2001, 10:41 PM

OK, Wow I knew someone might know something. Do you know of a source or place I could find the reference so I could try and narrow down the date of manufacture. Also I know I ask alot of questions but do you know of the quality of this factory? I have heard differing opinions of Chineese Mauser quality. Thanks again for all of the help and advice From the members of TFL! I could supply pics and numbers if needed.

retpo · June 19, 2001, 11:46 PM

st. david,
this info. came from "History of Military Rifle Marks" by Hoffman & Schott. They state in the China topic that their info. came from a series of articles that appeared in the Military Rifle Journal by Stan Zielinski. Yr and Mo unknown. Try and do a search for MRJ. this is all the info I have been able to find so far. If more comes up I"ll let you know. I have no first hand experience with Chinese Mausers but have seen different forums stating the questionable quality of the chinese product.
Mauser Military Rifles of the World by Rbt. Ball has a section w/ photos.
I'd go with Mr. Keenan's advice, pick up a Vz24 or K98 and just leave this one as the historic specimen that it is. Questions are no problem, just keeps the mind active. Good Luck.

James K · June 21, 2001, 08:36 PM

Hi, Retpo,

Thanks from me, also. I had never seen that one before. I think I will try and find out if that book is available.

Jim

June 11, 2001, 10:07 PM	#1
saintdavid Member Join Date: February 15, 2000 Location: Upstate, SC Posts: 31	Info on "Mauser" I just got a barreled mauser action at a gun show to start building a rifle. I find only one mark on the top of the reciever no scattering of proofmarks and I want to find a source or forum to ID this action. It is a large ring mauser with the only ID mark a circle with three arcs forming an equalateral triangle in the center. Thanks for any information or pointers to info sources. I would like to know country of origin and approx date ie: pre WWI, post war, the 60's. And if this were a commercial or military piece originally.

June 18, 2001, 04:19 PM	#4
saintdavid Member Join Date: February 15, 2000 Location: Upstate, SC Posts: 31	Thanks No I do not resent your suggestion, that is one reason I had turned here to the Firing Line for information before sinking money on a cheap qestionable action. Thanks for the information, and help.

June 19, 2001, 10:41 PM	#6
saintdavid Member Join Date: February 15, 2000 Location: Upstate, SC Posts: 31	Thanks!! OK, Wow I knew someone might know something. Do you know of a source or place I could find the reference so I could try and narrow down the date of manufacture. Also I know I ask alot of questions but do you know of the quality of this factory? I have heard differing opinions of Chineese Mauser quality. Thanks again for all of the help and advice From the members of TFL! I could supply pics and numbers if needed.

June 17, 2001, 03:17 PM	#3
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	My first thought was oriental, but FWIW, I can find no mark that resembles that, either Japanese or Chinese. The "chakra" on the Siamese Mausers made in Japan is entirely different. Maybe someone else can identify it. Chinese Mausers turn up with all sorts of markings, as several local "war lords" set up factories to make or refurbish rifles, and this may be the product of one of them. You might resent this, and you have not asked, but I will be honest with you. There is no way I would build a rifle or spend any money on an action of unknown origin and unknown quality. There are too many good quality VZ-24 and K98 actions around at bargain prices to take a chance on that one. Jim

June 19, 2001, 06:44 PM	#5
retpo Member Join Date: May 9, 2000 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 17	Jim, your in the right church with this mark.Factory symbol of China Kwang-tung Arsenal, "A Circle with Three Archs". This symbol is the only mark, besides the serial number on their rifles(no dates or model id.) The Kwantung(Guandong) Arsenals also known as Canton(Guanghou) Arsenals,were located in provience of Kwatung(Guandong) in south China. Founded 1873 it mfg. Mauser Gew 98s in 1908. Made Chiang Kai-shek rifles in 1937,relocated to Rongzian in Kwangsi(Guangxi) Provience to avoid capture by Japanese.(Canton fell 21-10-38). Relocated in '39 as Japanese advanced. Not much known after China fell to the communists.

June 19, 2001, 11:46 PM	#7
retpo Member Join Date: May 9, 2000 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 17	st. david, this info. came from "History of Military Rifle Marks" by Hoffman & Schott. They state in the China topic that their info. came from a series of articles that appeared in the Military Rifle Journal by Stan Zielinski. Yr and Mo unknown. Try and do a search for MRJ. this is all the info I have been able to find so far. If more comes up I"ll let you know. I have no first hand experience with Chinese Mausers but have seen different forums stating the questionable quality of the chinese product. Mauser Military Rifles of the World by Rbt. Ball has a section w/ photos. I'd go with Mr. Keenan's advice, pick up a Vz24 or K98 and just leave this one as the historic specimen that it is. Questions are no problem, just keeps the mind active. Good Luck.

June 21, 2001, 08:36 PM	#8
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Hi, Retpo, Thanks from me, also. I had never seen that one before. I think I will try and find out if that book is available. Jim