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Author Topic: Mauser bolt  (Read 815 times)

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Offline marine

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Mauser bolt
« on: November 04, 2010, 05:03:38 AM »
  My dad recently gave me a german mauser that my great uncle brought home from WW1.  The problem is that it has no bolt and the stock was cut in the middle.  I dont know if this is something that the government did to demill them.  The story goes that he killed the german and took all of his gear.  I have an officers sword, spike helmet, and the matching bayonet for the rifle. 
  A few years ago i put the bolt from a turkish mauser in it and fired a few rounds and all seemed well.  I am wondering if i could buy a bolt and just use that or if i need to have the headspace checked with a new bolt?  Were these rifles built for interchanging a bolt at will or were they sent back to the armory to be fitted?
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Offline Avyctes

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Re: Mauser bolt
« Reply #1 on: November 04, 2010, 06:00:41 AM »
Marine,

I'd try to find an original bolt, but definitely have the head space checked. 

I'm wondering if the cut stock you mentioned is a 'duffle cut' to smuggle it back home.  If so, the cut was typically under a barrel band that hid the cut once reassembled.  It doesn't sound like a de-mil rifle, but rather a smuggled rifle.  Not sure why your great uncle would have removed the bolt. 

I'd love to inherit a rig like that tho'.  I bet the bayonet, sword and pickelhaube would make an awesome display along with any of your uncle's military affects.
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Offline marine

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Re: Mauser bolt
« Reply #2 on: November 04, 2010, 10:47:47 AM »
  Thanks Avyctes.  He was quite the smuggler.  You wouldnt believe the WW1 stuff that i have.  He was a cavalry officer and im not sure where all he fought but I know he was exposed to mustard gas and that took him out of the war.  I had never heard of a duffle cut before but that would definitely solve that mystery. 
  I would be after an original mauser straight bolt.  i will also have the headspace checked before i fire it, if i ever do again. its a sweet rifle and i would liove to have it back in original shape.
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Offline Mikey

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Re: Mauser bolt
« Reply #3 on: November 04, 2010, 12:42:37 PM »
marine:  I wouldn't continue to fire that rifle just yet.  The Turkish Mauser bolt fit your WW1 rifle by chance, and may not have fit properly but enough to get by.  As I understand it but don't quote me, Mauser Rifle bolts were fitted individually and to fit a new bolt with proper headspace the rear of the lugs need to be lapped until the bolt closes on a round.  I would really refer your question about the 'fit' part to the gunnut69, the moderator of the Gunsmithing Forum for his input.  I also believe that when refitted or retrofitted or rebuilt, the work was completed at the factory or armory level; the rifles were sent there.  I firmly believe a gunsmith is needed to properly fit a Mauser bolt, to assure proper headspace and to positively identify the bore diameter.

Also, I wonder if there is a chance that the bore of the rifle is .318", not .323 as the the later rifles.  You did not say what ammunition you fired.  Just thinkin'............
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Offline Avyctes

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Re: Mauser bolt
« Reply #4 on: November 05, 2010, 04:49:05 AM »
Speaking of duflfle cut stocks, here is one of the best treatises I've ever read on how to repair one.

http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=2831
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"There exists a law, not written down anywhere, but in our hearts.. that, if our lives are endangered by plots or violence or armed robbers or enemies, any and every method of protecting ourselves is morally right."
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Offline 1911crazy

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Re: Mauser bolt
« Reply #5 on: November 05, 2010, 09:28:59 AM »
www.egunparts.com   Has the mauser bolts your looking for.

Mikey is right the bore is .318" on the older 8mm mausers while the later 8mm mausers are .323".

I picked up a '38 turk 8mm mauser(.323") when they were only $39.95 and a german 98k 8mm masuer(.323") for $20 w/sewer pipe bore.  Both had miss matched bolts.  Its funny because both bolts felt loose in the receivers.  I swapped out the two bolts and they were both tighter in there different receivers.  I checked them both with the headspace gages too and there ok. I did switch them back, i figure there is wear in the receiver lug area thats why there tighter in the different receivers.
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Offline marine

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Re: Mauser bolt
« Reply #6 on: November 05, 2010, 01:26:03 PM »
  It was a few years ago that i actually shot it and it was with a borrowed bolt that went right back home to the turk mauser.  I was shooting 8mm and not 7mm so this part of the fun really bothered me after learning the differance.  I just want a new bolt more for looks as its an heirloom rifle with familly history.  I have plenty of lead slingers for the range. 
  that is a neat way to repair the stock.  I think i might leave the stock the way my uncle did and just pick up a differant one for it.  SP guide has some older german stocks for $30 if you guys would like to know.  They are a 1912 pattern.  Thanks for the help and advice guys.  Avyctes thanks for the link.
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