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Help ID'ing Mauser(S)
The Breeze
Member Posts: 5 ✭✭
I was given 2 Mauser's and was told one was a 7mm and the other an 8mm. Took the 8mm to the range today with the correct ammo, but could not get bolt to slide forward and lock with a round in the chamber. Another guy at the range who was shooting his own Mauser couldn't tell me what model the gun was...98, 48 or whatever. The 7mm has virtually no marks on it relating to date/country of origin. The 7mm has several different markings on it that I'm hoping you would recognize. Any chance some of you Mauser experts could help me ID the guns or any good guess's as to why it wouldn't load? I tried a couple different rounds with the same result...I didn't want to get too wild trying to force it, so I stopped before that. I was told that they were purchased as NRA surplus back in the 50's or 60's and they have both been sporterized with the nice monte carlo stocks. I can send pics if that would be helpful. Thanks so much for any help!
Comments
Can you measure the groove (largest) diameter of the muzzle?
Looking at the front of the bolt, is it flat or round on the bottom?
At the rear of the bolt, just in front of the bolt handle, is there a small lug on the right side?
What is the C-C distance between the 2 trigger guard screws?
What is the diameter of the front receiver ring?
Was your bolt stuck to the rear by chance? Some magazine followers don't have the tapered back so they will hold the bolt back and not chamber without a round in the chamber.
Anyhow, if the bolt doesn't close it could be as described by ern98 that you didn't pick up the round from the magazine, therefore the claw is holding it off from being able to chamber properly.
As noted by TG1954, you may have a Mauser with a different chamber than 8mm. If the simpler things don't work take it to a gunsmith and have the chamber cast to see what you really have.
I realized after reading my original post that I mis-spoke. It's the 8mm that has virtually no markings and the the 7mm that has several. I say they are 7 & 8mm only because that's what I was told by the guy I got them from, and he had that caliber ammo for them. But he's also getting up there in age!
I have owned several guns for years and have been poking around this site for a year or so -mostly drooling over the guns for sale- but this is my first venture into old military stuff. I have read as much info as I could find on the Mauser's and everyone seems to agree that these are awesome guns, so I'm feeling very fortunate to have been given them. I was also given a gorgeous .303 Enfield by the same person. The guy I got the guns from has no kids of his own and had not used these in over 30 years. Rather than sell them to a stranger, he wanted to know they were going to a good home. Very cool.
I will try to post a few pics to hopefully help you guys recognize which model guns these are. Again, thanks so much for all of your help - I really appreciate it.
These photos illustrate the concept of 'control round feed' and the 'claw extractor' that the Mauser features in its design.
The photos you need to supply us with should show the markings that speak of as well as the action from the sides and top to aid in identifying your Mausers.
If you'd like to read more about Mausers you can go to the Brownells website and look through their book section. The bench manual by Kuhnhausen is good as is the Olsen book which has far more detail and history.
www.brownells.com
Best.