Questions about Brazilian M1908/34 mauser

[Evan Bartel]

Hello all,
I have a few questions about the Brazilian M1908/34 mauser. During the last couple of years I have picked up the hobby of de-sporterizing (to the degree possible) old miltary rifles. I have recently had an opportunity to purchase and work on a Brazilian M1908/34. The rifle has a sporter stock, has been drilled and tapped for a one-piece scope mount, and has had the barrel sights removed. It is still in the original 30-06, however, and As far as I can tell it still has the original 24"-ish barrel. My question is primarily in regards to what was originally on this thing in the way of sights. In any pictures of original m1908/34's I've seen they have a square-ish front sight base. Unfortunately, I have had zilch for luck in finding one of these bases to put back on. I am now wondering if I could substitute one of the ramped front bases such as were on the original 1908 and the 1908 short rifle. Would that affect anything? I figured the change in base might have had something to do with the change from the 7mm mauser to the 30-06 chambering, but I'm not sure. Alternatively, are there any other mausers that have a similar base that could be substituted. I was also wondering about the rear sight. I think the 7mm short rifles had a shorter carbine rear sight leaf than the full length 1908's which were numbered out to 20. I was wondering what the 1908/34 would have had originally. Finally, I was wondering if the handguard from an original full-length m1908 could be used on a 1908/34. Any input you guys can give me is appreciated. Thanks!

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[Evan Bartel]

Okay, I think I got my answer on the rear sight. Finally found a pic of one, so disregard that portion of the thread. Thanks!

[RazorBurn]

There's been a 08/34 at a shop local to me for a year or so. I've thought about picking it up as all it would need is the stock and bands, but I've had no luck coming across a stock set for it. I've rescued enough sportered rifles, and I'm at the point where I'm not interested in projects that last for a year or more.

I have a sportered Finn M27 that took me four years to find a stock set for it. I thought I would never find one.

[Evan Bartel]

Yeah, my first rescue was a 96 swede with a chopped barrel. Did a complete swap on that one. Luckily everything was pretty easy to come up. Turned out nice, but it's sure not cheap or quick!

[728shooter]

Yeah, my first rescue was a 96 swede with a chopped barrel. Did a complete swap on that one. Luckily everything was pretty easy to come up. Turned out nice, but it's sure not cheap or quick!

Once its been sporterized, the cost of returning it to original configuration almost always exceeds the value of doing so. Cost must be figured at material (replacement stocks, barrels, hardware, missing parts,etc.) gunsmith costs (replacing a barrel?), plus all the labor involved in disassembly, refinishing and reassembly. IMHO, its almost always cost-prohibitive. Case in point: you can take a perfectly good $400 milsurp rifle, take it all apart and sell the parts on e-bay or GB for 3x the value (or more) of the rifle. Unless you own a "donor" rifle for parts, my advice is you're wasting a lot time & money... Just sayin'...

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