Third Party Press

About to Get a Mauser

H

Homerboy

Member
My father in law was given a rifle by his uncle before his uncle passed away about 5 years ago. My FIL is not a gun guy at all but he is moving so he wants to give the rifle to me. His uncle served in WW II in England and supposedly brought the rifle home with him. I haven't seen it in person yet but he looked at it today and told me is is a Mauser with a wood stock with a few dings, nice metal, no rust that he can see, and it is stamped 1940 with 2 swasticas and eagles over them. What do I have here? I'll get pics when I get the rifle next week.
 
Get pics and put them up for sure!! Look all over the gun, both on the metal parts and the stock for markings and show as many as you can in the pictures you post.
 
Also, don't try and clean anything. No matter how dusty or rusty it is, picture it as you get it. We will advise you on what to do once we see pictures.
 
D-K said:
Also, don't try and clean anything. No matter how dusty or rusty it is, picture it as you get it. We will advise you on what to do once we see pictures.
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What he said!!!! The better quality of pictures you can take, the better the assessment will be. Close ups of all the markings taken in good light too.
 
I can't stress enough not to clean it up when you get it. Many nice collectible rifles have been turned into shooters by well meaning new owners.
 
Coming from a guy who has been in your position, take pictures and document the obvious markings without doing anything else. Post them here and let these guys tell you what to do.

I ended up with a really nice rifle that I initially thought was broken. I am so glad I posted here with it before I did anything to it. Come to find out my rifle may be worth well over $1000.00! I don't have any money so I can't start collecting them, but I sure do enjoy learning about them and this site is a wealth of knowledge.
 
What everyone else said. Don't clean it up or anything. Take photos and post 'em here. I really look forward to seeing 'em. You are a lucky fella!!
 
Homerboy said:
Don't I have to break it down to see the serial numbers to see if it's original?
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Ultimately- for parts where the serial no. cannot be seen like inside the stock, handguard, some bolt parts etc. -yes, it would need field stripped to determine if every part is matching. For now, just checking the numbers on the safety, bolt, receiver, front bands, floorplate and rear sight as well as posting pictures of the aforementioned locations would be a good start and help give the senior members here something to go off of as far as determining info on your rifle.

One thing to consider; on the smaller parts, the serial number is usually shortened to the last two digits. For example, if the serial number on the receiver reads "1234", and you see a "34" on a small part, that typically means it's the correct piece.

I'll link the picture reference sticky so you can get a good idea of where to look and what to look for... In the meantime I'll be looking forward to seeing pictures of your rifle! :thumbsup:

picture reference: http://www.k98kforum.com/showthread.php?45-Picture-Reference-Index
 
Also, before you get to the point of field stripping. Do some research on HOW to do it correctly. There are a few items to know how they go together before disassembling one. I have seen many lower bands with screwdriver pry marks from someone trying to figure out how the bandspring works. Also many have buggered up the area around the cross bolt (aka recoil lug) from being removed with the wrong tools, etc.. It normally never needs to be removed. If needed, ask for help here on any procedure before risking damage to a collectable rifle.
Good luck and looking forward to some photos!

edit-A 1940 dated stock should also be marked externally on the bottom keel of the butt stock. They get worn thin at times, but you should still be able to make it out with good lighting.
 
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Stan said:
Also, before you get to the point of field stripping. Do some research on HOW to do it correctly. There are a few items to know how they go together before disassembling one. I have seen many lower bands with screwdriver pry marks from someone trying to figure out how the bandspring works. Also many have buggered up the area around the cross bolt (aka recoil lug) from being removed with the wrong tools, etc.. It normally never needs to be removed. If needed, ask for help here on any procedure before risking damage to a collectable rifle.
Good luck and looking forward to some photos!

edit-A 1940 dated stock should also be marked externally on the bottom keel of the butt stock. They get worn thin at times, but you should still be able to make it out with good lighting.
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Well, I got it last weekend. Good news is all of the parts that I can see match. Serial number on everything matches, including screws. Gun looks unfired

Bad news is the reason it looks unfired is it has been sporterized and reblued. Also drilled and tapped for the adjustable rear peep sight that has been installed. Stock is walnut but certainly not issued. Serial 6247 OO made in 1940.

So it's a free gun that didn't quite meet my hopes, but the action is smooth as silk and I'm gonna shoot it. I hear the kick is pretty stout. The gun came with 2 boxes of 60 year old ammo with 19 rounds left, but I'll probably buy a box of newer ammo to shoot it with. Maybe get a recoil pad for range use.

I'm on my cell now but I'll post some pics later. Thanks for all the help
 
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