1909 valuation help, please

[Dave in WI]

This is my first post, so hope I am doing this correctly. I am looking for help on the value and proper identification of a 1909 Mauser that I have. This is not a for sale ad. I have about 32 pictures so will post a link to an offsite image hosting site hoping that is the best way. Mods, please delete, move, etc. this post if I am violating anything here.
I received this rifle many years ago. It was in a case of same model rifles still in cosmoline. 2 of the rifles actually had consecutive serial numbers. This rifle was the pick of the litter! It does not have an import stamp on it. Gentlemen, please look at the pictures I have and let me know what I have and honest real world value.
Cheers and TIA,
Dave
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/...563&uid=868624

Information

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[Aragorn243]

It's an Argentine Mauser, 1909, not particularly rare but one of the more sought after Mausers due to the smoothness of the action. Yours does appear to be in excellent condition, price range $500-$700. Check Gunbroker. What they ask and what they sell for are two completely different things. One currently sitting there for $650 with no takers.

[vintage hunter]

It does not have an import stamp on it.

Possibly a pre 1968 Interarms import. I've seen several that still had the Interarms sticker on the bottom of the forend just ahead of the magazine. They also had the ''7.65'' caliber designation stamper on the barrel like yours does.

2 of the rifles actually had consecutive serial numbers.

Too bad you didn't grab those two.

[Aragorn243]

They also had the ''7.65'' caliber designation stamper on the barrel.

I saw that but couldn't see it clear enough to tell if it was an import stamp or not.

[Dave in WI]

Thank you gentlemen for your replies!

[oldfoneguy]

Sorry I'm late to the party here but have been away from this site for a while. That is a beautiful example of a 1909 Argentine. Production began on these in late 1909 but the bulk of them were produced in 1910. There were some that were arsenal refinished and their receivers and bolts were blued. There were also a small number of carbines and a very few sniper variants which command much higher prices. The letter prefix to the serial numbers indicate the 10,000 unit block of production. There is still some speculation weather production began with no letter prefix up until unit 9,999 or production began with letter A prefix. You can estimate that your serial number starts with either a 20,000 or 30,000 depending on what's correct. I personally have seen many of these rifles and have yet to see one without a letter prefix to its serial number. Yours was made sometime within the first 3 months of 1910 and has remained in outstanding condition with crest intact and sharp clear cartouchs throughout. I wish mine was that nice! Mine has the crest slightly ground but is still visible and shows a great deal more handling meaning it was sold off and used for decades more than yours. Judging by it's condition and the intact crest that rifle was not sold off to another South American country but remained in Argentina's arsenal until it was sold sometime in the late 1960's. Here is the freedomless northeast that rifle in that condition would run $650-$850 depending on the particular dealer and their initial purchase price. - Bill