1893 dwm s/n 380

[jmoore]

Bit of burlap sacking or perhaps a little South African vegetation?

Bottom of the follower:

With a single powder flake stuck to the dried grease.


Managed to keep both in place after cleaning, for whatever that's worth. The fibers are protected by the buttplate, but I don't know if the powder flake will stay under recoil.

[jmoore]

First time out to the range:


Dumped one round of Federal 175gr RN downrange as function check, then ran ten rounds at 100 yards. Held as a guess at the bottom of the paper, which worked surprisingly well! But after the first four rounds the POI went down a bit.




Then tried some "home loads", but the results were pathetic! POI was maybe at POA, but impacts were over a foot or more all about the bull. Quit after ten rounds, and have commenced removing fouling.

[butlersrangers]

Early Mauser and Remington Rolling-Block rifles in 7X57mm seem to like 175 grain RN loads. (p.s. Lovely Job on your Boer Mauser cleanup)!

[Patrick Chadwick]

JM, in Post 20, 3rd photo, I imagine I can see some traces of a cursive script.
Have you tried looking at the butt under ultraviolet light?

Now, before you answer "where on earth can I find an ultraviolet light?" please read on:
Some shops, filling stations, banks, and market dealers who handle a lot of cash from unknown people do indeed have such an item, for examining banknotes.
So just ask around in your area!
My hope is that the engraving of the name may have left a stain or residue that shows up under ultraviolet light.

Worth a try, don't you think?

[butlersrangers]

I think Patrick is correct. There appears to be some faint letters in the 'framed area' on both sides of the butt-stock.

Attachment 68670Attachment 68669

[jmoore]

Early Mauser and Remington Rolling-Block rifles in 7X57mm seem to like 175 grain RN loads. (p.s. Lovely Job on your Boer Mauser cleanup)!

If I could only find more than the one box I've already half used! (And it's been about the house for at least 10 years...)

As far as ultraviolet lighting, there may be an ancient "new" tube still in the package somewhere about.

[butlersrangers]

BTW - Nice collection. I bet #380 becomes your favorite Mauser!

What is the condition of the bore, on your Boer Mauser? I have had good accuracy with Prvi Ammo in their 139 grain bullet loading. (In a Loewe made 1893 Spanish Mauser, with an excellent bore).

[jmoore]

Bore has tiny pits one end to the other. But throat looks low mileage. I'm hoping that I can find a load that it likes. And can be replenished as needed!

[Patrick Chadwick]

Bore has tiny pits one end to the other. But throat looks low mileage. I'm hoping that I can find a load that it likes.

It needs bullets with the maximum achievable bearing surface, i.e. maximum cylindrical portion, so avoid boattails. Use the longest RN bullets that you can find and which the rifling will stabilize. The Sellier & Bellot SPCE-loaded 7x57 ammo is the best I have yet found for my Boer Mauser. If reloading, set the bullet as far out as you can, making sure that at least 1 caliber of the cylindrical portion remains within the case neck (another reason why boattails are sub-optimum in old service rifles which tend to have longish transition cones).

[Calif-Steve]

The very early 7mm's have very long throats. Do seat the bullets out long to compensate. Good luck, this a nice find.