Need some info on an oddball

[puma4440]

I've had a rifle in my cabinet for years, and know nothing about it. On top of the reciever is stamped FABRICA ARMS I can't find any info through google, it's chambered for 7x57, but the bore is in poor condition. I got the rifle from my grandfather, and never did get the story behind it. The stock has been chopped about 12" from the end of the barrel, the bolt locks up tight. I'd like to do something with it, but don't know where to start other than identification. Thanks

[bcp]

"Fabrica Arms" means "Arms Factory."   7x57 is a common caliber in Spanish and South American Mausers.

We really need a close picture of the action to identify it.  There are several possibilities and not enough information.

Bruce

[puma4440]

Of course my good camera is broke! I'll get a pic of it with a cheaper unit. I do believe I have it narrowed down to a spanish mauser, but where the date should be is bare. I'll try to post it when I get home.

[Dave in WV]

It's likely a Spanish mauser and could be a 1895 model or a 1898 model. If you post a picture pull the bolt and get pictures of the bolt body below the bolt handle. The M1898 has a lug that turns down into the receiver for added strength.

[puma4440]

Sorry guys, the chessy camera can't take a decent picture, though it is good enough to get a grainy photo of bigfoot if the chance arrives . The 2 week deer season starts tomorrow, and all the dealers see right now is $$$. When things settle down a bit, I'll take the barreled action in to get an ID.

I was poking around on numrich, and seen under barrels, they offer a 7.62x39 in all of the spanish mausers, is the 7x57 action short enough to accomodate the round? The 7x57 barrel is extremely pitted and in poor condition, and there is little hope for the stock, so I was thinking of making a cheap shooting plinker and short range groundhog gun project.

What are your thoughts?

[Rangr44]

The 7.62x39 is much shorter than the 7x57, and enough of a different config IMO that it might present feeding probs.

If you really want to keep it, I would suggest a mil-surp 7x57 barrel and stock to keep the cost at a minimum.

.

[guntech59]

Do you mean 7.62x51?

IIRC, some of the spanish mausers were changed to that chambering for use by their police.

Edited to add:  the ones rechambered to 7.62x51 are supposed to issues with "soft steel".  IOW they may KABOOM on you!  The 7x57 ones have not had that problem.

[GatCat]

You can readilly tell if it is a '93 ( or '95, same ), or the more modern '98... look at the reciever ring ( the forward-most part of the action, where the barrel screws into ). If the diameter is larger then the area directly behind it, it is a large-=ring '98. The larger "step" is obvious.
If the diameter of the reciever ring is the same as the area behind it, it is a small ring ( no "step" ).
Both have been converted to the 7.62X39, some of the owners are happy with them. Like others have mentioned above, I think the best way to go would be to find a surplus barrel in 7X57, or if getting a new replacement barrel, they are available in .257 roberts, 250 savage, both of which would be fine plinkers/hunters. Both of the above are factory loaded to moderate PSI, which is a plus, so you don't stress your action so much. Another good choice would be a .35 Remington, a real good cast bullet shooter, plinker, etc.
Mark