What is this Mauser?

[woodchukhntr]

I saw a Belgian Mauser with a .30/06 18" barrel today.  Everything looks original, not cut down from something else.  The 3rd edition of the Standard Catalog of Military firearms shows a FN M30 Short rifle built by Belgium after WW2, but states a 23.3" barrel.  The outside is fair, with almost no finish and a dinged-up stock and cracked (not all the way) handguard.  The finish on the front receiver ring is worn from carry and so is the adjacent handguard.  The rifling and chamber are probably the cleanest and sharpest I have ever seen on a military rifle.  There are 2 sling attachment points at the front of the stock, one on the bottom and 1 on the side.  The rear swivels.

What is it and what is it worth?

[Mikey]

That rifle may well be a belgium Caliber 30 FN Rifle M 1924/30.  30 caliber or 30-06, made in limited quantities after WWII.  Also known as the M 1930.  In every mechanical respect it is a duplicate of the German and Czech service rifles.

The normal barrel length on this rifle was 23.something inches.  Sounds like this one was cut down for ease of carry.  In 06 caliber there is some additional value but for collector purposes there isn't.  For lack of better terminology, it's been bubba'd.  I'd go ya $250 max and probably $100 or more less if the owner doesn't really know what it is.  Truck gun.  I'd offer $150, maybe...

[woodchukhntr]

That rifle may well be a belgium Caliber 30 FN Rifle M 1924/30.  30 caliber or 30-06, made in limited quantities after WWII.  Also known as the M 1930.  In every mechanical respect it is a duplicate of the German and Czech service rifles.

The normal barrel length on this rifle was 23.something inches.  Sounds like this one was cut down for ease of carry.  In 06 caliber there is some additional value but for collector purposes there isn't.  For lack of better terminology, it's been bubba'd.  I'd go ya $250 max and probably $100 or more less if the owner doesn't really know what it is.  Truck gun.  I'd offer $150, maybe...

The gun shows no evidence of being bubba'd.  I have no reason to believe that is was cut down.  It has a bayonet lug, and all of the other front end hardware that a Mauser should have.  I was looking on the internet and the closest thing that i could find that looks like it is a M63 Tanker from Mitchell's Mausers.  From the picture you can see that it loooks like someone had just scrunched the front end of the rifle backwards a bit.  The gun shop has it on consignment for $200.00 with no further negotiation.  I wish it was in the same condition as the M63!

[Rex in OTZ]

I had seen a Mil Surp Morrican mauser short carbine "all beat up" in 7.62 (308?).

[Mikey]

That rifle may well be a factory original.  None of the literature I have shows any of the Belgium Mausers as cut down versions but that is not to say it didn't happen.  If it looks as a original military production without evidence of being 'bubba-ed' then it is probably a good deal.  I would have the gunsmith check the headspace just to be sure but truly, a factory 98 Mauser in 06, made in Belgium, with a chamber and rifling as you describe would be worth $200.  I would get it now. 

If this rifle is as short as the Mitchell tanker then it will have a 'report' to it, but it should also be a excellent woods or truck gun.  Mikey.

[brianscott12]

One of mine looks just like the top one.

[AtlLaw]

Okay Brian, now I know what you meant by a "regular" Mauser.  I just answered your other post.   

[1911crazy]

There are a few of the really short barreled mausers but i don't have my book on the military mausers by Robert Ball here right now, i'll post more info later.  These were much shorter in length than the 23" Karbiner 98's that were used to seeing.            1911crazy