german mauser

[lubbockdave]

Well folks, seems I "lucked into" a sporterized german Mauser and am looking for some info/opinions on it. I understand German mausers shoot 8mm ammo and is a step below a 30 06 so I should be able to hunt just about anything in North America. It came with an old weaver K4 scope and I had ideas of separating the 2 and re-selling them, but Now I kinda want to use this as a "project" gun-my first. so...

OK, the mauser looks about like you might expect-there is minor rust developing over the barrel and receiver, blue is fading a bit etc...
the weaver scope have some surface rust as well, but the optics look great.

The # 9721 is stamped over most of the separate parts and the letters HDfb are stamped ont he reciever under the front of the scope.
There is also the # 37 stamped under what I guess are the waffenamps??
The trigger guard looks to be the worst as far as rust goes, but the bore looks to be in fine shape and the stock has a few very minor dings and scratches, nothing worth fretting over. The recoil pad was rotting off, so a new pad will be on there shortly.

OK, any one out there able to tell me a little more info about this gun-who made it, when etc...
I'd be guessing, but I bet the 37 may be the date of manufacture---1937?

Thanks in advance.

Dave

[Mikey]

lubbockdave - sounds like ya lucked into a good find.  The 8mm, or the 7.92x57mm Mauser is on par with the 30-06 with modern loadings.  I like the cartridge a bunch.

The rusting on the barrel and receiver can be dealth with fairly easily but as long as the bore and headspace are good you can do just about anything with those Mausers.

The 37 you referred to may be the date of manufacture, although on my 1939 production Mauser the full year is stamped out, 1939.  The 37 may be some sort of unit code but there are many, many more qualified posters to this forum with tons more info on those rifles than I have and should be able to advise you better.

Me, I just love old project guns like that.  It sounds like it was a WWII bringback with a late 40s or early 50 'sporterization' and it's time for a new one.  I had a VZ-24 like that - the military stock had been cut and sporterized, or bubba-tized, and whoever had tried taking the 'steps' out of the barrel on a belt grinder must have had one beer too many, 'cause it looks like he took too much off the right side of the barrel - darn barrel looks like it's bent but the bore is straight.  It shoots very well and is now a camp gun at a buddy's huntin' camp.  One of these days we will do something special with it but for now we just feel good about having it around.  Mikey.

[Tbaus]

It sounds like you have a Mauser 98. If the 37 is on the top of the reciever then you have a 1944 manufactured K98 made by JP Saur and sons in Suhl.  Somewhere else on the receiver you should also find  ce 44. Good shootin'...

[lubbockdave]

naw, the 37's are on the side of the reciever, if I remember correctly. Just under the weffenamps. Gun is now at the gunsmith so we can positively ID caliber and get a recoil pad in place.

I'll try to post picts when I get it back.
Dave

[patm41]

These Mausers can be made into great and accurate hunting rifles.

This is one of mine, Large ring, chambered in .338-06 Custom Laminate
stock, older Banner 4x12 scope, and is capable of taking any big game in
N.America.....

[lubbockdave]

patm41,

WOW!! what a beautiful rifle!! How did you get it looking like that? and spare no minor details please...

and cost? (ballpark)

dave

[patm41]

The stock is a Richards Microfit ,, it comes about 90% finished , final sanding and oil finish just needed to be applied..  may need some minor inletting...   price 200.00 for the stock

Had a local smith rebarrel it and size and fit the action ... 200.00

Scope was one i had   bought years ago for 50.00

Bought the 98 at a flea market years ago  in good shape for 75.00

so ya looking at 600.00 invested when its all done.. worth every penny
but ammo is expensive .338-06 is a Weatherby Caliber .. so ya looking at 50.00 a box....   so reloading would pay for its self very quickly ...

[Tbaus]

Sorry I couldn't help. By the way, what the markings are and what location they are in is important on identifying a German rifle. Wafenamps themselves have a numeral in them such as WaA132.  Most likely there will be numbers under the scope mount on the front receiver ring that too will help identify the rifle. I am sure the gunsmith will be able to identify your rifle.  Good shootin'...

[7mm MAGNUM]

lubbockdave,...

I have been a collector of K-98's for a few years now, and I'm going to post a link to a page for you below that might help you out with your questions on your new find.  

Good Luck and enjoy your mauser!

http://users.swing.be/sw017995/german-codes.htm

[lubbockdave]

lubbockdave,...

I have been a collector of K-98's for a few years now, and I'm going to post a link to a page for you below that might help you out with your questions on your new find.  

Good Luck and enjoy your mauser!

http://users.swing.be/sw017995/german-codes.htm

thank you...I'll check it out!

[7mm MAGNUM]

Be sure to get back with us and let us know what you found out about it!

[lubbockdave]

The one it is closest to is the 1941 made by J.P. Sauer und Sohn Gewehrfabrik, Suhl

but the reciever is not an exact match as the letters are dfb instead of FP-SN so I am still not real sure...

[7mm MAGNUM]

lubbockdave,... if you have a way to take digital pictures that you could download and forward to my e-mail address maybe I can help you out.

Pictures of the receiver top, both left and right sides of the receiver and barrel, the floor plate and the bolt assy under the bolt handle. These are the usual places for stampings and Waffens.

I'll post a couple examples of mine that I have highlighted with white chock,....

[lubbockdave]

lubbockdave,... if you have a way to take digital pictures that you could download and forward to my e-mail address maybe I can help you out.

Pictures of the receiver top, both left and right sides of the receiver and barrel, the floor plate and the bolt assy under the bolt handle. These are the usual places for stampings and Waffens.

I'll post a couple examples of mine that I have highlighted with white chock,....



can do! I will get the picts taken this week-just let me know where to send 'em and THANK YOU!!!

Dave

[7mm MAGNUM]

I sent you a PM,... check your messages !