Need help finding history
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Pre-WWII custom sporting rifle.
There were hundreds of custom gunsmiths in Germany in the period before WWII. Many rifles were made up on Original Mauser commercial actions and many more were made up on military actions from WWI. If you feel comfortable taking the barreled action from the stock, there should be proof marks under the barrel and perhaps other markings that will help date the rifle. While Mauser actioned rifles were sold in limited numbers in the USA during this period, many sporting rifles were brought back to the USA by returning GI's after WWII. If you post pictures on the Commercial sporting rifle forum, you will get feedback from collectors of these sporting rifles. Nice rifle.
There were hundreds of custom gunsmiths in Germany in the period before WWII. Many rifles were made up on Original Mauser commercial actions and many more were made up on military actions from WWI. If you feel comfortable taking the barreled action from the stock, there should be proof marks under the barrel and perhaps other markings that will help date the rifle. While Mauser actioned rifles were sold in limited numbers in the USA during this period, many sporting rifles were brought back to the USA by returning GI's after WWII. If you post pictures on the Commercial sporting rifle forum, you will get feedback from collectors of these sporting rifles. Nice rifle.
Any Markings anywhere. On barrel? Very nice rifle. Has relativly high value based on quality but would be enhanced depending on maker. Custom rifles made by or based on original commercial Mauser Oberndorf actions usually worth the most. Not expert on commercial stuff but I seem to recall that Oberndorf actions might be marked under wood....? but could be wrong? Recoil pad probably not original.
Jack
Jack
Look at this link:
http://finegunmaking.com/page33/page25/page25.html
Mr Petrov is THE authority on custom sporting rifles. It looks like the stock wasn't shortened when the pad was added so it wouldn't be hard to return to the original configuration. Bill.
http://finegunmaking.com/page33/page25/page25.html
Mr Petrov is THE authority on custom sporting rifles. It looks like the stock wasn't shortened when the pad was added so it wouldn't be hard to return to the original configuration. Bill.
Sir - I can't imagine why anybody would want to return this beautifully made gun to look like a military Mauser. It is a work of art by any standards. The double set triggers and lever-opening floor plate take it miles away from any military arm, let alone the expensive chiselled eichenlaub-style gravure of the metalwork. To have such a gun made these days by any of the upper end of custom gunmakers would cost many thousands of dollars. The old-style hook mounts and scope are also typical of a high-grade custom piece, not a run-of-the-mill conversion of a military arm.
tac
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That is a rather lovely Mauser. Don't do anything to modify it! Just enjoy it.
Sent from my TracFone
Sent from my TracFone
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Unfortunately the butt was probably cut a little to get the flat surface for the recoil pad; too bad they did a crappy job. If it were mine, I'd pay to have a nice new, black pad fitted to replace that ugly red one, JMHO.
It probably originally had a metal plate, maybe even a skeleton metal plate on the butt.
Beautiful metal work!
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tertiusvw, thank you for posting this beautiful rifle, it is a gem. Since it is very likely it was never a military rifle, I have moved it to this forum where it can enjoy it's place in the sun without ruffling feathers. I hope you get a lot of information here at Gunboards and please come back often.
Very Nice Rifle
Your rifle appears quite nice. I believe that additional detail photos would be appreciated by all. Markings, visible and below wood, might also contribute toward better identification if desired. The action appears of military origin. Nothing wrong with that when a quality action with conversion well executed. Please see the few below photos of an original Oberndorf Model M carbine. Contrast with yours, particularly the bolt handle, triggerguard and floorplate release lever. An Oberndorf original even engraved would normally retain the factory nomenclature markings as well as displaying the numerous serial numbers (or portions thereof) found on most component parts.
Enjoy that beautiful rifle!
My take!
Your rifle appears quite nice. I believe that additional detail photos would be appreciated by all. Markings, visible and below wood, might also contribute toward better identification if desired. The action appears of military origin. Nothing wrong with that when a quality action with conversion well executed. Please see the few below photos of an original Oberndorf Model M carbine. Contrast with yours, particularly the bolt handle, triggerguard and floorplate release lever. An Oberndorf original even engraved would normally retain the factory nomenclature markings as well as displaying the numerous serial numbers (or portions thereof) found on most component parts.
Enjoy that beautiful rifle!
My take!
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I have a very close copy of this piece, an Oberndorf Mauser, serial # 79XXX, confirmed to have been made in 1912. Mine does not have the fancy etching on the trigger guard and floorplate, nor does it have a scope mounted though it is bored for a scope. I have no idea if this boring was done at Oberndorf or by the GI who brought it back (This "Bringback" I have documented somewhat).The bolt handle is slightly different, as is the stock checkering, but like the photos posted mine also has the very slight "schwaubles" just foward of the rear sight and at the muzzle.(Yea, I know, I didn't spell that correctly!)
My piece is a .318cal which is smaller than a standard 8mm, and I have yet to get the chamber cast for proper brass size. This may also be your situation, so possibly caution is in order before you fire it....or maybe I'm worrying unnecessarily???
My piece is a .318cal which is smaller than a standard 8mm, and I have yet to get the chamber cast for proper brass size. This may also be your situation, so possibly caution is in order before you fire it....or maybe I'm worrying unnecessarily???
This is also a .318cal and finding rounds is a difficult task, But I got a friend who gave me some and it will last for some time. Will post some more pics tommorrow, I didnt think it will create such response. Thanks for all the nice and helpfull feedback Guys.
tertiusvw: Your rifle appears very good quality. More photos would be great!
woodsrunner38: Not to venture too far astray from the original post, but I would very much appreciate any documentation that you might have concerning the 1912 dating of you OM. The OM carbine that I pictured in this thread (also .318 bore) is 78xxx and from it I had interpolated a1914 production date, perhaps proximate to "The Guns of August". The style of your rifle (as described) and that of the subject of the thread is akin to the Oberndorf Mauser Model S sporting rifle. If your bolt handle is the standard ball type (actually a bit pear shaped) that would conform to mainstream Model S styling. The scope mounting system that you describe was likely a post manufacture modification. Thanks for your contribution which I found particularly interesting.
Iskra
woodsrunner38: Not to venture too far astray from the original post, but I would very much appreciate any documentation that you might have concerning the 1912 dating of you OM. The OM carbine that I pictured in this thread (also .318 bore) is 78xxx and from it I had interpolated a1914 production date, perhaps proximate to "The Guns of August". The style of your rifle (as described) and that of the subject of the thread is akin to the Oberndorf Mauser Model S sporting rifle. If your bolt handle is the standard ball type (actually a bit pear shaped) that would conform to mainstream Model S styling. The scope mounting system that you describe was likely a post manufacture modification. Thanks for your contribution which I found particularly interesting.
Iskra
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tertiousvw, Man what a beautiful rifle you have there! I just love these prewar sporters. The fact that you inherited this is very interesting. Do you have info on where it came from and how it came to your Mothers estate? I will bet that gun is very accurate. The engraving on the action is the same style that is on some of my prewar commercial sporters. It also looks like there is some solder on the barrel where the back sight may have been. This is nice piece. All I will inherite is some precious moments figurines that will make good targets.
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