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Hello. I've had this Mauser in my safe for a while and I cant find much info about it. Its a DWM all matching, no import mark, and there is no crest on the receiver. There is a marking on the stock but I cant make it out. Its a circle, that's abut it. Serial Number is in the C block. Any info would be helpful. Thanks.
Pics!
I’m currently at college and the rifle is back home. I’ll get some up eventually. From what I’ve read, these were navy contract rifles. I also read that in the Mauser Book there are only 10 Navy contract rifles in the US. I doubt mine is yet I just wanted to figure out what exactly mine is.Quote:
Originally Posted by Anzac15
DWM made lots of Mausers for lots of countries..need pics to definitely tell you what you have. Looking forward to seeing it.
"there is no crest on the receiver"
Please be definite: do you mean that there never was a crest, or that the area where a crest would usually be has been scrubbed.
The correct answer is important for identification!
As to the circular mark: does it look like this?
https://www.milsurps.com/attachment....55&cid=1&stc=1
Or this?
https://www.milsurps.com/attachment....54&cid=1&stc=1
Once again, a correct answer is important.
And as already mentioned, we need PHOTOS
I can assure you that the receiver has not been scrubbed. It is just unmarked. Getting my brother to take pictures today. Hopefully they will be up soon.Quote:
Originally Posted by Patrick Chadwick
Here are some picturesQuote:
Originally Posted by Anzac15
Is it an unmolested example? Looks like an 1893 'ZAR' Mauser.
---------- Post added at 11:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:28 PM ----------
And looks like it is in a Spanish Oviedo stock, if I'm seeing that cartouche correctly.
That did cross my mind but look at the marking on the stock. You can almost make out Oviedo.Quote:
Originally Posted by Anzac15
Yeah, think it does say Oviedo. Is the rifle a sporter?
Yes it is in military configuration. Could this possible be a Navy Rifle that made it back to Spain and was restocked?
Looks like you have a 'ZAR' Mauser that someone dropped into a Spanish stock. Got some full length pics?
---------- Post added at 11:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:44 PM ----------
I personally don't see any evidence showing that its a naval rifle at all. Looks like someone had a barreled action that needed wood. I'm sure we'll have some more thoughts soon.
I don't know much about Mausers really. I am more of an Enfield guy. Anyway, what do you see that points to that? I actually think it's cooler being a Boer rifle than a Spanish rifle. Tell me what you are basing your information on so I can put it in my brain.Quote:
Originally Posted by Anzac15
Now you know why I requested the photos!
See Ball "Mauser Military Rifles of the World" 5th Ed. P.442.
The number C3326 is in the range (C1-4000) of those that were purchased by the Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek (a.k.a. the Boers) from DWM in 1899.
A curious feature is the cartouche form of the inspection mark - quite different from the usual "Fraktur" stamp. Apparently nobody knows exactly what it is, apart from some kind of monogram.
They were supposed to have been intercepted by the British and returend to Germany, then later resold to Chile - after the Chilean crest had been applied.
However, it seems that some never had the crest applied, so never went to Chile, and are thus in original configuration.
You have one of these - a rare piece!
I find it difficult to make out the marking on the stock. You need to turn it round at various angles to the light. If the marking is the same as in the photos I posted, then it is the original stock.
Congratulations! - And how about a larger complete view?
Thank you so much. Crazy how much information you can get off this place. For future reference does this make the rifle more valuable than a run of the mill Spanish MausersQuote:
Originally Posted by Patrick Chadwick
I should think so, but I do not know your market, and our resident Boer expert RobD is better qualified to give an answer.
Sorry to be so late in replying - I think this is correct for the C series of Boer Mausers which were intercepted by the British and not allowed to reach the Boer republics. However, I am not entirely sure whether it should have a turned -down bolt - yours has a straight bolt - so, let me PM you with the email address of Ron Bester, the world expert on Boer Mausers, and you can contact Ron.
I have a cousin to your rifle (within 100 on the serial #) which has the crest and is import marked.
Not as nice as yours but I am glad to have it.