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Chileno Mauser Modelo 1895

one2hutnone2hutn Member Posts: 261 ✭✭✭
edited February 2009 in Ask the Experts
I picked this up as a tip for some work I did for a customer. Anyone have one? Like it? I had a FR-8 Spanish Mauser that I bought for like $168 20 yrs ago and wish I had never given it away. The guy told me ammo was getting harder to come by. He said it was 7.65 but I should have asked 7.65x? Sorry if thats a stupid question but I DO NOT want to put the wrong ammo in a rifle EVER. It's nicer than ones I see on the auction side but I see a few things like the sling swivels that I think were added after it went surplus
Any insight is as always appreciated

Comments

  • rufe-snowrufe-snow Member Posts: 18,650 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    It would be best if you could post quality photos for identification purposes.

    The Model 1895 Chilean Mauser, was originally manufactured for the 7mm Mauser cartridge.

    No telling what the chambering is now without a chamber cast. As it was quite common in the past years to sporterize and rechamber these rifles, it's prudent for safety sake to have a gunsmith check it out.
  • one2hutnone2hutn Member Posts: 261 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks Rufe, I plan to. Just looking for any info about how these shoot, pros cons, etc. The barrell has some surface pitting(minor) but the bore and crown looks good.
  • OLDCOPOLDCOP Member Posts: 629 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Nice gun. I have three bayonets for it that I bought from Interarms some years back. Wish I had the gun.
  • jonkjonk Member Posts: 10,121
    edited November -1
    Agreed, the original caliber was 7X57 mauser. A lot of south american rifles were chambered in 7.65X53 mauser so that might be where your source got his info. Some were rechambered to .308 by Chile and should be stamped 7.62 on the receiver. I think that was mainly for the model 1912 but might be for the 95 too.

    As for caliber identification, if it is the original (not a sporter) barrel, odds are 99% it is still 7mm Mauser. Your description of a little pitting leads me to think this is most likely. If you can measure the bore with calipers, roughly we can get an idea on this further, though the best thing to do is make a chamber cast if in any doubt- Brownells sells a great product for this that anyone with a heat source and old tin can can use. It's called cerrosafe. Just plug the barrel with a cleaning rod and tight patch right ahead of the chamber, upend the gun, and carefully pour some in to the chamber until the chamber is full. It's a metal that melts at about 170 degrees. Let it harden, then tap it out.

    Though if you have a smith near you he should have headspace gauges (also good to check) and could verify this very quickly.

    Depending on condition and variant, probably worth something in the $200-$250 range.

    They did have sling swivels originally but of course, what you are seeing could also be after market. Again pics will help.
  • PearywPearyw Member Posts: 3,699
    edited November -1
    I own 2 of these in 7x57. If you want to shoot it, you need ammo with at least 175 gr bullets. It will not stabilze lighter bullets.
  • allen griggsallen griggs Member Posts: 35,708 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You must have done good work, because that is a hell of a tip.
    A military Mauser made in Germany in the 19th century, it doesn't get any better than that.
    Should be a good shooter.
    I have been looking at getting one of these for ten years, was just looking at them on the GB auction the other day, I see them going for $300 to $450.

    Also there is a good chance it is an antique.
    If it is made by Ludwig Loewe it is an antique.
    If it is made by DWM, with an A through K prefix serial number, it is an antique.
    Being an antique adds 20 to 50 per cent to the value of a rifle.
  • nononsensenononsense Member Posts: 10,928 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    one2hutn,

    From various sources not credited in my notes:

    "The Model 95 was also adopted by Mexico, Uruguay, Persia, China, the Transvaal and the Orange Free State. In fact, some of the Chilean Model 95s carry the code "O.V.S.", standing fin the "'Orange Free State." Reportedly, because of the success of the British blockades, these rifles never reached South African shores, were returned to the factory where the Chilean crest was applied to the receiver ring, and sold to Chile as part of the contract. Keep you eyes out for them!

    The small ring Chilean Model 95 rifle or carbine is a slight improvement over the Spanish Model 1893. The lower portion of the bolt head of the Chilean is round rather than being rectangular. The rear of the follower is milled at an angle so that one can close the bolt on an empty magazine. The Chilean model features a small shoulder behind the root of the bolt handle that serves as a safety lug and stabilizes the bolt in its fully retracted position. The Chilean also features a solid left receiver wall without the familiar Mauser thumb cut."

    "The Chilean was made by DWM, the company that owned Mauser. Through a series of acquisitions including metallic cartridge and powder companies, Lowe finally changed the Berlin factory name to "Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken" (DWM)."

    "Like many of the 1891, 1893, 1895, 1896 model Mausers, the Chilean reflects the high level of German workmanship expended on making a firearm reflecting as favorably on the producing country as it did Mauser. The metal surfaces of the original rifles are perfectly polished. The rust- and fire-blued finishes of the rifle rival those of any custom work. All essential parts, including the stock, are numbered to the gun and even the screw heads carry acceptance marks. It's the type of milsurp you just enjoy looking at for the workmanship evidenced in each and every one of its individual parts."

    mauserchilenomodelo1895gb9.jpg

    mauserchilenomodelo1895dh0.jpg

    mauserchilenomodelo1895xm8.jpg

    M1895 CHILEAN MAUSER
    Maker: DWM
    Oberndorf, Germany

    Action type: Bolt action
    Caliber: 7x57mm
    Capacity: 5
    Overall length: 48.6"
    Barrel length: 29"
    Sights Front: Inverted V
    Rear: V-notch, adjustable
    from 400 to 2,000 meters
    Weight: 8.8 pounds
    Finish: Blue
    Stock: Walnut, oil finished
    Value: $500 (Very good condition,
    according to the Standard
    Catalog of Military
    Firearms, 3rd Edition by Ned
    Schwing, [c] 2005, Gun
    Digest Books, 700 East
    State Street, Iola, WI
    54990, 715/445-2214,
    www.krause.com.)

    There is also a Carbine version:

    Model 1895 Mauser Carbine - Mauser Chileno Modelo 1895
    This carbine has a straight wrist stock with sling swivels on the left side.
    Specs are:
    length 37.25 inches;
    weight 7.50 lbs.;
    barrel 18.25 inches;
    caliber 7x57mm

    Best.
  • one2hutnone2hutn Member Posts: 261 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks so much guys. I am a self employed professional carpenter and I never say no to customers. If somebody wants me to build them a wooden sufboard with bullhorns on it I don't ask questions. I've been lucky to work for some generous people and this guy was no exception. I will find a gunsmith and let him tell me what's what. I do want to shoot the rifle just out of curiousity but will probably sell it as it's not my thing. I had a FR 8 years ago that I gave to a friend that I kind of regret. If I were to buy a military rifle to have (and I sahll) -it's a Garand for me thanks. Only downside to CMP is that I can't put a gun on layaway like the local pawn shop. I will find someone to post pics for me so you can all see the rifle. I am a 40 yr old dinosaur and will never be good with computers
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