An auction with many "Mausers" for sale. There are many other firearms offered at this auction. I used the search function to show JUST the Mausers.
The "Mauser" rifle is a fine, military rifle with countless models. In very rough terms, any models after 1895 are anywhere from "pretty good" to "very good" as tough, knock-around rifles.
At one time, there was a large cottage industry converting WWII "bring-backs" to sporting rifles. They were often rechambered to cartridges that were in demand.
Nowdays, it is much less expensive to buy an entry-level Savage or Mossberg rifle that is chambered in a commercially available cartridge and already tapped for a scope mount. The commercial rifle will also have a "better" trigger.
That said, those old war-horses can sometimes be had at a discount, especially if they are chambered in something unusual.
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For example, at the time of this writing there is a Mauser model of 1898 with a 16.5" barrel that is chambered in a "wildcat" called 35-06. Normally, I would shy away from "wildcat" chamberings but the 35-06 is now a commercially available and is known as the .35 Whelen. This rifle, which would be a spiffy brush rifle is currently going for $25.
That is a screaming-deal.
For the newbies, I would stay away from the 1891 Mauser, the "parts gun" and the Spandau .43 (unless you collect black powder cartridge rifles). Any 8mm rifles are good-enough (except the "parts gun") to shoot space-aliens, stray water-buffalo and run-away reindeer about to mow down granny.
Some of the bores might be pretty rough, but if you are shooting with the iron sights and the original trigger, even barrels that look like ten miles of rough road will often shoot good-enough, that is, not much worse that a shiny barrel.
Man, that is one helluva price. That pictured carbine would make a great woods walker. Deer - feral hog - black bear / all suitable targets.
ReplyDeleteInteresting auction. And yes, 'some' Mausers are good deals, some not so much... Always buyer beware.
ReplyDeleteA couple decades ago old surplus Mauser action rifles were almost always worth buying. They are well made and accurate and back then inexpensive. For the most part though the good ones are gone. Sold off to collectors and others. Now you REALLY need to know what you are looking at before buying unless it's "I don't care money". Because most of what's left is in poor shape...at best.
ReplyDeleteThis is an Estate Auction. The deceased was a gunsmith. These might be pretty good.
DeleteAlways worth looking at, especially you have the knowledge to discern good from bad.
DeleteSome of the pre war (WW) South American export Mausers are fine arms- Argentine 1891, Chilean 1895, etc. just as nicely made as any high dollar Luger pistol. Main thing is- even if you find one in good shape, ammo is a bit hard to come by- 7.53, 7x57, is much harder to find than the ubiquitous 8x 57 used in most of the 1898 models.
ReplyDeleteI've had a "few" Mausers through the shit loads of years. Now I "only" have a lonely Swedish M38 in 6.5x55. It's a beauty, 1943, looks so nice it could have been marketed as commercial, but it's just like all the rest. The 6.5x55 is an awesome round with mild recoil and high performance. It's a keeper. I screwed up about 25 years ago when I let a friend talk me out of my first one (he bribed me with enough money).
ReplyDeleteThat old fellar Big Country has been rehabbing some british early-vintage rifles on his blog recently. Good reading, great info, if'n one was considering....
ReplyDeleteI wonder about “better triggers”. I had an outhouse Mauser the Isrealis had rechambered to .308. Trigger had to be 5 or 6 lbs but it broke fairly clean… but it shot GREAT. Everyone that shot that rifle did well with it.
ReplyDeleteTry this one for what to buy and what to look for when considering Mausers:
ReplyDeletehttps://oceanofpdf.com/authors/jerry-kuhnhausen/pdf-the-mauser-m91-through-m98-bolt-actions-a-shop-manual-download/
About the only thing I disagree with is his condemnation of the Swedish M96. It is as strong and well built as any M98, commercial or military.
Phil B
I keep a Mauser for aliens or dinosaurs or alien dinosaurs, whichever shows up first.
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather, who was a skilled metal worker and master welder, brought back two Mausers to turn into sporting rifles. Shortly after he removed the barrels and stocks Remington came out with the 721 and he realized even with his skills he couldn't match that at the same price. He swapped one action. I inherited the other one and had it built into a rifle in his memory just to keep it from rusting away even though it would have cost less to buy a good used commercial rifle.
ReplyDelete