What should be my next WWII era firearm?

[I.H.1989]

Just me but that isn't a "true" Chinese mauser so I'd pass. It is an export rifle to China. Basically the same thing but not Chinese made.

Yes, I knew that it was an export to China from Germany. You think that the man selling this is asking for too much?

I have seen real Chinese mausers for sale for a little over $180, but they are sold out of a bin and are mainly project guns, so I don't know what I would be getting until i get it in the mail.

[Aragorn243]

I really can't answer if it is too high or not. If I found a nice Chinese made one for that price, I'd probably pay it. The biggest problem with these is the bore. Most are shot out which is why they sell for so less. I have a Hanyang that I can drop a bullet through the barrel it's worn so badly. I don't know that most collectors care if it is an export rifle or a local produced rifle, all Chinese mausers in good condition are relatively rare and this one has the typical markings and looks good.

[I.H.1989]

I've read about how the Chinese fired them until they no longer could.

I managed to get an email from the man saying that there was no active rust, just pitting. He also said that the rifling is shiny and sharp, no pitting. The grooves are a bit darker, not shiny, but clean. The rifling is worn at the muzzle end. I am probably going to post this question on another forum as well to see if there is any other information that I can learn from this. I have managed to find that this rifle was used by both the ROC and PRC, which i think is a interesting piece of history

[I.H.1989]

IT seems that fate enjoys toying with me, since not only have I found a Chinese Mauser, I have also found another Arisaka 99 , with a bayonet, but no scabbard.

All of the serial numbers on the bolt, receiver, and it comes with the anti-air sights, but no cleaning rod, and there is no serial number on the bayonet lug. It also appears to be a Series 20 rifle, which would make this a little weirs since that was built in 1941, and I thought that serial numbers were not put on the bayonet lug later in the war.

Anyhow, the asking price is $395, which seems a little high, but I could use a second opinion on this.

[Aragorn243]

I'd say a bit high.

[I.H.1989]

I'm going to see if perhaps the man would be willing to lower the price some. You guys think that $350 seems more reasonable?

[I.H.1989]

While waiting to try and find an Arisaka, I was offered a Chinese Contract FN m30 Mauser.

Pretty sure he misidentified it as a k98, but the description that he gave for it was:

"Belgian Fabrique National (FN) 8mm mauser, exported to China in the early 1930,s. Serial no 588, in the first batch. This rifle has been through WWII, the Chinese Civil War, and served in Chiang's and Mao's Chinese Militia. Stock marks can describe. Mismatched bolt, otherwise all original, 588 on the barrel. Rough overall, pitting along the stock line. Bore is dark but with prominent rifling. Crisp, smooth FN action. Overall a very sturdy and collectible rifle."

He also told me in an email that there are no chinese markings on the metal, just the stamping on the stock. What i find weird is that there is no date under the crest, like i have seen on others. Not sure if this was something that the Belgians did or not.

Anyhow, the man has offered to sell it to me for $300. It seems a little high for me, but then again, I have very little experience with Chinese firearms from WWII, so any help that you guys can give would be appreciated.

[I.H.1989]

Was looking at MAS 36s when i found this one online. Man was selling it for $400, which seems a little high to me, but I am not very knowledgeable for these rifles. Can anyone here tell me more about this rifle from the pictures that I have posted?

[Aragorn243]

Post war rifle that did not go through a refurbishment. Tend to be a bit more desirable than those that did go through the refurbishment but not as desired as a pre war rifle.

[I.H.1989]

Post war rifle that did not go through a refurbishment. Tend to be a bit more desirable than those that did go through the refurbishment but not as desired as a pre war rifle.

Thank for that info. I am trying to see what block the MAS was built in, but i can't seem to ID it. the cursive letter should designate what block it was, but I cannot seem to find it. It looks like a cursive "T" but that doesn't appear in the listing at all from what I have researched. Maybe I am misinterpreting it, but I could use a second pair of eyes to tellme what it is.