A few Mauser questions (Pic of stamp added, can you ID it?)

[swordfish]

A guy has offered me an older rifle that looks like a Mauser 98 (assuming it's an 98), but I don't know much about them. I do know they are made all over the world. I would like to know how to tell where this one was made if it doesn't seem to be stamped anywhere obvious. Could be under the scope mount that was added, but does have several different sets of numbers stamped on the barrel and receiver. Also would like to know the MFR date.
If you have any idea could let me know.

I have it with me and this is what I can see:

 Does not seem to be German
 It 's a 7.92 cal
 ss # begins with EAxxxxx
 Also has T-4441 (on barrel)
 Has a blued, stepped barrel
 Rear sight has been removed
 Does not have the metal disk in the butt stock
 Has stainless bolt

[Mikey]

Could even be Swedish or Yuogslavian manufacture as they and the Germans both used the 7.92 caliber designation.  If the bolt looks to have been cut and welded it may well be a Yugoslavian M24 which had a straight bolt that had to be cut and welded for scope use.  The Swedes used a bent bolt and although they usually made sporter rifles they still used the stepped barrel. 

You may have to pull the scope and bases to see if there are any crests on the action that would help further identify the maker. 

I would take it to a gunsmith to check the headspace and bore diameter, which should be .323".  If the headspace is good she should be good to go.  Let us know. 

[iiranger]

As you indicate Mausers were made all over the world. I had a gunsmith and dear friend try to tell me none were made in Mexico. Not that many, but they did produce a few under license. Often, but not always, if you remove the wood, you can, under strong light, find proof marks indicating the where and when of manufacture within a few months (proof houses can take their time) under the front receiver ring where the barrel screws in and covered by the wood... I would start there. I don't recall the codes, you might find a book in the library (or online???) The Nazis had codes of plants of manufacture for their production. I assume other years would be similar. Fine old work horses. At a fair price, fine tool. Some today... SILLY. Luck.

[mauser98us]

EA in the serial number is a good indication it was made in Spain at the la coruna arsenal. Some spanish models ok,some not ok. I have a 7x61 Sharpe and Hart mag built on a Spanish airforce version. Seems to work ok for me.

[swordfish]

I took off the front mount and the factory stamp does not show a date or name but insigna is a circle with wings, tail feathers, and crown where the head would be. There is a small eagle inside the cricle. The wings of the eagle inside of the circle are folding in, not straight out as in the German insigna.

Any ideas?

I'll take a pic of it over the weekend and post it.

[swordfish]

OK, lets see if this will work. May have to edit a few times.



Does anyone recognize this stamp?

[myarmor]

It looks German to me(perhaps very early make??).... though I can't see the pic up close.. can you take a few more pics close up??




-Aaron

[Mikey]

Looks like a German military crest to me but it's not the best picture. 

[mauser98us]

Model44 built for the Spanish Air Force,starting sometime during WW2 when Spain adopted the 7.92 as their service round

[swordfish]

This pic is high res. save it onto your computer and you should be able to zoom all the way in to get a very good look at the stamp.

[swordfish]

Thanks guys, mauser98us was right on this. With his help I was able to confirm, with hours of online research, that it is in deed a sporterized Spanish Mauser 44 made for the Spanish Air Force in 1945 at the La Coruna arsenal. (7.92x57)

You guys rock, thanks again to all.

As with all my hunting rifles, I will do my best to rid the state of Florida of ferral hogs with it. What are you guys using for store bought hunting rounds?

I will be getting reloading dies for this cal. soon. For those that reload, what bullets, powder, and loads do you all recommend for this rifle? Just some ideas, as with all my other rifles, I'm sure I'll work up loads that I like best, but a starting point from those that hunt them always helps in the learning curve.

Thanks,
Swordfish

[mauser98us]

Save your money and roll your own. Domestic rounds are pathetic.and Norma is priced sky hi. Sellier and beloit and Prvi Partisan are good values,but local availiblity may be an issue. One could always mail order those rounds I suppose.

[TribReady]

S&B avail at Cabela's, but the price is double what it was 2 yrs ago.
Oniline still has some deals now and then, especially on Prvi and HotShot from Century.

Handload and you can fully max out the potential.

[Mikey]

Swordfish:  I second the purchase of Sellier and Bellot or PRVI ammo, but recommend you get a set of dies, a couple of hundred Remington made 8mm brass (they are made US specs, not european and can be reloaded using American standard measure equipment), either some 200 gn Nosler Accubond slugs or some Hornady 195 gn softnose, and some Vihta Vouri powder (N140).  You may find yourself seating the bullets out farther than the crimp groove on the Hornadys but my last groups with both slugs mentioned, at 2500'/sec, were both one hole (5 shot) at 100 yds. 

[swordfish]

Good info. Thanks.

Mikey, thanks for the reload info, very useful.