Hello, new to the forum have mauser questions

[jopedu]

I have just recently started collecting milsurp and today while my daughter was at a local gunshow she picked up what she was told was a Turkish Mauser. I dont know a lot about them cant post pics right now but will describe as best as I can. On the top it has a half moon and looks like a star. Over that are the letters T and C Then AS FA.Under that is ANK ARIA then under that is K Kale then 1941. One told her that was a bunch of parts thrown together by the factory another told her is was a contract specific rifle. They also confused her on the caliber wether it was 8X57 or 8mm Mauser. Sory to have to ask what are probably dumb questions but the seller could hardly get in a word as alot of guys wanted to help the pretty young girl buy a rifle and all felt they had to have their say. Sadly I doubt she will ever buy at a show again, so if anyone could help me out with the answers it would be appreciated very much
Thank you
John

Information

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[Aragorn243]

It should be 8mm Mauser which is the US equivalent of the 8x57 (Europe). Same round, different name, slightly different loadings. It is also probably a rebuilt rifle from parts to the Turkish 1938 standard. These came from all sorts of manufacturers and are even different types but were all re-built to a similar standard. The date is the year of the rebuild. All the original marks would have been removed and the crest and marks you described put in place.

ASFA is the arsenal
Ankara is the city

No idea on the K KALE mark or the TC but the TC is pretty standard on all of these. The K Kale is not.

Photos needed to narrow down the original type (if possible)

[jopedu]

Attachment 31352Attachment 31353Attachment 31354Attachment 31355

[jopedu]

Hopefully these are the pics of it you need

[jopedu]

After posting the last pictures we noticed some markings at the end of the barrel which were the importers markings identifying it as a model 1938 8mm, Thank you to Aragorn 243 for your information as it was right on the money.
John

[jopedu]

sorry for another post but couldn't edit my last one. After searching around the net the only info I could come up with is the K Kale's are the only ones wholly built in Turkey to their own unigue design

[Aragorn243]

This may have been the page you saw but if not:

Turk Mauser - Model of 1938


From the description here, the K Kale mark (which is another arsenal) is where the receiver was made. The remainder of the rifle was assembled from parts at the ASFA arsenal. The TC stands for Republic of Turkey, which I kind of guessed but was not sure of.

Your rifle looks to be a pretty fair example of one of these. Most I've seen are really beat up.

[Aragorn243]

I just came from my local gun shop and they happen to have a Turkish Mauser in right now. Not as nice as the one you picked up but it also has the K Kale marking on it. The barrel is from a gew98.

[jopedu]

Thanks again for your help. It's in pretty good shape I don't think she got hurt for the 150 she paid for it. besides i have to like it cause it was a gift for dad

[Aragorn243]

That is a super gift alright.