Yes it is in military configuration. Could this possible be a Navy Rifle that made it back to Spain and was restocked?
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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.
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?
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.