FN Mauser, Chinese contract.

[Anzac15]

Picked up an odd one today, it is an FN manufactured Mauser, model 24 or 30, cant tell which. Apparently went to China. It has what appears to be a Chinese manufactured stock. Pretty crude, thick in the wrist. Actually feels pretty comfortable to hold. No import marks anywhere. Dont know if this is a bring back or early import. Hope these pics show, would like to hear some thoughts on it!

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[Calif-Steve]

Out of Africa? Not too sure it is a Chinese return. They normally will have 2-3 Chinese character stamps on them. Hard to tell.

[Anzac15]

There is a Chinese character on each side of the butt, each inside a circle. I'll see if I can get clearer pics of them. There's also a Chinese sun stamped on the bolt handle. Forgot to take pics of that, I'll take some.

[Calif-Steve]

Sorry, I didn't see the stamps. There was a huge import of Chinese rifles out of China perhaps 1990? Lots of odd and nice collectors stuff. Nothing since then, with lots of stuff still there.

[Anzac15]

Yep, I believe late '80s, early '90s. This one has no import marks of any kind, so I'm guessing a bring back possibly. The combination of it being an FN along with that crude stock just kind of called to me. I'm a sucker for military arms like this!

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

You have developed a habit of posting some unusual stuff. Nice one. Thanks for posting!

[WarPig1976]

This rifle just screams "been there, done that".


"Nuts"

[Calif-Steve]

If I recall the story; 300,000 or so. Under $2.00 each cash in US Dollars. The guy promptly sold the lot off to Century who doubled his price. I think Century was not real happy, however as the condition was bad to worse. But piles of neat stuff with piles still there. Pres. Clinton banned their import of no real reason as the bulk was old, beat bolt actions. Oh, well.

[Anzac15]

Bore is actually pretty good on this one. No pitting at all, definitely shootable. Gonna take it out this weekend, will be eager to see how it performs.

[Calif-Steve]

I have a 7mm Standard Model 98 that is out of China. The bore is quite nice, as well. I always thought the Chinese didn't have any? (enough?) 7mm ammunition in their supply system. They made piles of 8mm ammunition but, I do not recall ever seeing any 7mm. This rifle also came out in 1990 with the big import. As I say, lots of neat stuff still over there.