Dark bore?

one2hutn

Hey,
I was looking at a used gun recently, it was a 1941 Mauser according to the numbers and markings. The gun was is pretty nice condition but when I put a bore light to the chamber and looked at the barrel it was dark. It had good rifling but it was dark. Does this merely indicate fouling or is this a shot out barrel? Thanks

one2hutn

Anyone know of a way to clean a dark bore without further eroding the bore.

Wehrmacht_45

It can be dirty, or it could be damaged from the lack of proper cleaning while shooting corrosive ammo. Dark bores shoot well, but foul fast.

one2hutn

Thank you. I think I'll get back there and pick it up. I think it's an 8m rifle. Don't know much about Mauser's other than their reputation. Should be fun to see how a 69 yr old gun shoots

Wehrmacht_45

it is most likely an 8mm. Take it home, give the bore a good scrub and see how well she cleans up. I had a MAS 36 French Rifle I bought once that had a BLACK bore. Turned out to be a mixture of oil and just dust and dirt from sitting for so long.

As long as the rifling is good and the muzzle crown is good, should be a nice shooter. I have a 80 year old mauser, and its pretty darned accurate for its age.

Ambrose

It always amazes me that people who want to sell used guns don't bother to clean the bores first. I aways wonder what they are trying to hide under that crud. I usually walk away!