Help with mystery Mauser?

[Fjordforder]

Hey all. I signed on to the forum a while ago and have mostly been lurking. I was texted by a friend selling some rifles for a friend and was asked for help ID'ing and pricing some milsurp rifles and ammo. He already had a price named on a couple sporterized Mausers (Swede M96 for $100), and for $50 more he'd throw in another. When pics arrived I was intrigued because not only is it a Mauser for $50 but a mystery too. Pics show no receiver markings, which is leading me to believe it could be a commercial rifle. Caliber is also unknown but my friend measured the chamber and reported back 7.11mm. I'm thinking 7x57 Mauser? Thanks in advance!Attachment 66866Attachment 66867Attachment 66868

Information

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[Patrick Chadwick]

From the backsight I guess that it is a sporterized Chilean Mauser. Looks like a stepped (i.e. military) barrel that has been cut back at the muzzle. Why? Badly worn, maybe. In which case - how far back is it bell-mouthed?

I am also concerned about what appears to be a non-original gas port on the side of the receiver. Military Mausers did not normally have this feature. So before shooting this rifle it should be carefully checked out for other "improvements" that the sporterizer may have made. I know that in the US such things as individual proofing are considered unnecessary, or even undesirable, but here in Mauserland such an alteration would invalidate the proof, for the very good reason that it is a weakening of the chamber walls in the region of maximum stress - right there where the left-hand bolt lug bears.

Yeah, yeah, I know someone is going to write in to say that my fears are groundless. But once someone starts altering pressure-bearing components, great caution is advisable. Ten times cautious is better than one time dead.

[Fjordforder]

From the backsight I guess that it is a sporterized Chilean Mauser.


But I am worried about the gas port on the side of the receiver. Military Mausers did not normally have this feature.

Worried? Is that a safety problem or a commercial thing? Sorry, not really a Mauser guy.

[Patrick Chadwick]

My worry is about safety. Of course, it may be a commercial receiver that was made in this fashion and has been mated to a military barrel. I can't tell from here, and am just pointing out that you need to have this thing checked out before firing it - something no-one can do for you online.

[Fjordforder]

Agreed, I'll have it looked over. For $50 it'd look nice on the wall if nothing else

[DocAV]

The elongated Gas escape Hole is typical of Spanish 93 and M1916 Mausers, refurbished in the 1930s, when usually all the previous "Royal" Marks (Oviedo, Spanish Crest etc, were scrubbed by the Socialist Republican gov't.
The Rough stamped serial is also a sign of this refurb.

Your Poor sporter is simply a 1960s Interarms Import cut down by "Bubba" to lighten it.
It is in 7x57 M93 cartridge.

Whether originally Loewe or DWM make, or later FA Oviedo made, they are fine in 7mm.
( if the barrel is OK.)

Now it is just a good truck gun...not even worth restoring to full Military get-up. Or "Improving" with scope etc...

Your price is a Steal...Now just clean up all the grot, varnish, etc, and see how it fires with 175 grain RN ammo ( sighted for this). You May just be surprised.

Doc AV

[Fjordforder]

The elongated Gas escape Hole is typical of Spanish 93 and M1916 Mausers, refurbished in the 1930s, when usually all the previous "Royal" Marks (Oviedo, Spanish Crest etc, were scrubbed by the Socialist Republican gov't.
The Rough stamped serial is also a sign of this refurb.
Your Poor sporter is simply a 1960s Interarms Import cut down by "Bubba" to lighten it.
It is in 7x57 M93 cartridge.

Whether originally Loewe or DWM make, or later FA Oviedo made, they are fine in 7mm.
( if the barrel is OK.)

Now it is just a good truck gun...not even worth restoring to full Military get-up. Or "Improving" with scope etc...

Your price is a Steal...Now just clean up all the grot, varnish, etc, and see how it fires with 175 grain RN ammo ( sighted for this). You May just be surprised.

Doc AV

Great information, thank you very much!