Chilean Mauser: 8mm or 7mm?

[XLesky]

Hi Guys,

I'm looking at buying a Chilean Mauser from a gunshop in my area. The owner thought it was 8mm (hasn't checked), but I thought they only came in 7mm??

Can anyone answer this one for me? This will be my first ex-mil Mauser if I bought it, and I've only ever heard of Chilean Mausers being 7x57.

This one is unmodified and in pretty darn good condition so no conversion is likely and there are no non-canon markings on it so I don't think it was requisitioned by another army..

Information

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[thommygun]

Hi XLesky !

Can you be a bit more specific on the model? Since the Chilean Army had various Mauser models in use it would be helpful. But from what I know 7x57 - and 7.65 Argentinian as well - were very common calibres in all South American Armies. I have recently seen a Peruvian Mauser which was converted from 7.65 to .308 . This was officially done back in the 50's by the Chilean government.

[Aragorn243]

1895 Chilean Mausers are 7mm unless converted later.

[XLesky]

Thanks Aragorn, I was sure they never adopted 8mm.

Thommygun, unfortunatley I'm only starting out in collecting Mausers so can't offer much info sorry. From what I've seen on here it looks like a 95 action (I've got a converted FN 98 and it certainly doesn't have the same action as that).

If one is 7.65, where is it marked? I've read on here that 7.62 NATO conversions have the calibre stamped on the rear of the reciever...

[Patrick Chadwick]

The Chilean Mausers were always in caliber 7x57. If it is a long rifle that looks similar to a Gew98, but without a pistol grip. then it is most probably an 1895 model. This model does NOT have the same "state of the art" as the later Gew98 and its variants (like the Brazilena M1909, also in 7x57, or the Argentine M1908 in 7.65x537) and is a small-ring action, very similar to the M93 Spanish version. So if you are looking for a safe shooter, do not buy any M95 that has been rechambered.

However, if it is a long rifle with a vestigial pistol grip, it might be a Steyr (OEWG) 1912 model. These are large-ring Mausers that are basically 98s in the 7mm chambering. A good rifle if you can get one.

Regrettably, Mauser actions have often been "rebored" by Bubba and his collegues, without the new chambering being properly marked. I was once at the range when the guy next to me started complaining loudly about the (supposedy) .308 rifle he was shooting completely missing the target "and the cases are hard to chamber and really screwed up after firing". I took one look at a fired case and retired to a safe distance, while advising him to stop at once. He was shooting .308 ammo in a rifle chambered for 30-06. No marking on the receiver.

Moral: even if the seller swears by his family honor that the rifle is whatever he claims - check it out before shooting - it's your health at stake, not his!

Patrick

[Aragorn243]

I picked one up a few months ago for $120. I considered it a steal. The condition of the metal is good, no major pitting, some minor pitting under the stock, very good bore. The stock left something to be desired as it was black with grime. I cleaned it up some and got the reddish cast back to it and was able to bring out the markings where you couldn't see them before. Got a bayonet and repro sling for it off ebay and it's looking pretty good.

Ammo is a bit of a problem. Hard to find and when you do it's on the expensive side. Bass Pro Shops, where I will probably never shop again was selling it for $27 a box. I had a gift card and bought two boxes with paying a bit extra. At the rate I shoot things, two boxes will last me a while and give me enough for reloading.

If the guy will let you take the stock off, might be a good idea so you don't get any surprises. This is where they tend to rust the most. Some pitting on these old rifles is to be expected but you don't want any serious holes.

[Calif-Steve]

Someone might correct me, but I do not believe any 8mm Mausers were used in Latin America. They really liked the 7mm and Argentina tried to buy 7mm Mausers but the Germans were too busy with the Turkish contract. They had piles of 7.65mm barrel on hand and they talked the Argentine Army into accepting the 7.65mm barrels. Add this: I have heard the Argentine contract was not made in the rifle arsenal. It was too occupied witht the huge Turkish contract. So, not to lose the work, the Germans (DWM) had their commerical plant manufacture the Argentine rifles. They are works of art and well worth the money.

[jmoore]

Someone might correct me, but I do not believe any 8mm Mausers were used in Latin America. They really liked the 7mm and Argentina tried to buy 7mm Mausers but the Germans were too busy with the Turkish contract. They had piles of 7.65mm barrel on hand and they talked the Argentine Army to accepting the 7.65mm barrels.

Ecuador used 7.92x57 ammo, as I have a bunch; what the rifle was, I don't know!

[Calif-Steve]

"Ecuador: I have never seen one which was manufactured and crested for this country. They did use Mausers, but they were second hand, and/or purchased without markings." Could well be the one and only. I would have expected one country to have purchased some MG42's after WWII ended, but that may not have happened. You are right about the ammunition, as well, so they must have had something eat that ammo.

[XLesky]

Thankyou everyone for your responses. Had a good look at the rifle yesterday, it was made by Loewe and according to what I could dig up on the net means it was built in either 1895 or 1896 (all Chileans were made by DWM after January 1897).

As I said, there is no evidence if modification to this rifle at all. The bolt, action and barrel all match so I would believe it is still 7x57.

One more question: being a 105 year-old rifle, how would I ascertain it is still safe to shoot?