1908 Brazilian Mauser with Star of David on stock. 1948 Arab-Israeli War rifle?

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Crosshair

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Title gives the summary. A few days ago I bought a 1908 Brazilian Mauser chambered for 7x57. All the serial numbers match, including the S/N on the stock, and there are no import markings. (Important) I am giving the metal parts a coating of oil tonight and I start to look at the details of the rifle. On the right side of the stock, just behind the disk in the stock I saw a marking. On closer inspection I see that it appears to be a partially obliterated Star of David inside a circle. (See photos below) It is not a hand carving, but an actual stamping into the wood. Since the rifle would not have come from the factory with it, is it possible that this is a rifle that was used during the Arab-Israeli War? The Israelis where using any rifles they could get and they would certainly not turn down a Mauser in good condition. From what I understand, the Israelis tested all the guns that they got before they passed them out to the front line troops/militia. Is this marking a proof-mark indicating that the rifle had been inspected or is my imagination in overdrive tonight?:confused:

Sorry for the poor quality photos, my digital camera has trouble taking close in shots. I will try to get better ones when I find where I put my tripod and halogen light.

This is the best shot I could get of it. That is my thumb in the left part of the photo just to give an idea of scale.
MauserStar1.jpg
This one is not so good, but it is of another view.
MauserStar2.jpg
Here is the whole rifle. The stamp is to the left of the painted numbers and the disk on the stock.
FullMauser.jpg

Any input would be helpfull.
 
Nope! Thats a Brazilian proof mark or Cartouche of some sort. I have a rifle like yours and a later (but same 7mm DWM 98 mauser)1934 carbine the 1908 has that symbol too. These Brazilian Mausers are my favorite mauser, even above the 1909 Argentine, because of the 7mm caliber and the advanced Mauser commercial features they have.
The infant Jewish nation had PLENTY of k-98 and other 8mm mausers from the War way more than enough!They did not have enough heavy arty or machine guns however.I don't think there was ever any 7mm guns brought into Israel as ammo would have been almost impossible and there was a huge amount of 8mm in north africa at the time.

Now there WERE some sneaky CIA supplied Dominican republic 7mm mausers;)
 
I remember finding six-pointed star stamps on mausers in the past. These as it turned out had nothing to do with Israel but were just a military code stamp. I can't recall what they indicated--might have been proof marks. I don't remember seeing one on a stock though. You should check the receiver and barrel all around for any other stamps. Most Israeli Mausers I know of were BRNO or German surplus. It would be a long strange trip for a Brazilian to end up there. Check the proofs, but if those don't show any importation to the IDF I'd think it's an unrelated star.
 
Thanks for the reply. The rifle is in nice shape and even has the crest on the reciever ring intact. I am amased at how smooth the action is. The barrel is a little worn, but good considering it is the original barrel. The lack of import marks means that it must have been imported before 1968.
 
It looks like a keeper. Just don't sand the stock--those garrison numbers are neat. Also, the South American military Mausers, if intact, have quite a collector's following and are going up and up in price. To preserve value don't do ANYTHING to it--including cleaning the stock. You can still shoot it, though.
 
Thanks for the input. I agree, nothing (aside from putting rounds downrange) is going to be done with this rifle. Does anyone know what the painted numbers on the stock mean? (Garison numbers, military units?) It is 18 and another number that I can't make out.
 
The numbers are most likely what in the US Army are called buttstock or rack numbers. Simply an easier, more visible way than serial number to tell one specific rifle from another in a unit arms room. It's a lot easier for a soldier drawing his weapon to say "Weapon # 186" than "S/N 1234567." The weapons usually go in the rifel racks in order of their rack # (thus the name.) The armorer would have a list of what rack # had what serial #.
 
That is a fantastic rifle. Don't ever sell it, (or if you do ,contact me). I bought 2 of these (with exceptional wood) for $125.00 each in 1980s. Now good examples go for over $400.00.

I would say these were the high point of DWM (Deutsches Waffen und Munitions Fabrik, Berlin) production. The only ones that surpass it are the Persian contract models (Iran, 8X57mm) made in the 1930s and were not delivered because of a monetary dispute. These are basically the same rifles but because of thier Iranian rarity and the beautiful markings with the Lion of Persia on them and, relatively small numbers made go for $700.00 plus if they have matching numbers and have the original targets with them. I was fortunate to get one of these for $350.00 in the 1980s and wish I had gotten a dozen.

These are the best Mauser ever made in my opinion, and you're lucky to have one.

BTW, who made those quilts?, I collect them too!
 
That is a fantastic rifle. Don't ever sell it, (or if you do ,contact me). I bought 2 of these (with exceptional wood) for $125.00 each in 1980s. Now good examples go for over $400.00.

I would say these were the high point of DWM (Deutsches Waffen und Munitions Fabrik, Berlin) production. The only ones that surpass it are the Persian contract models (Iran, 8X57mm) made in the 1930s and were not delivered because of a monetary dispute. These are basically the same rifles but because of thier Iranian rarity and the beautiful markings with the Lion of Persia on them and, relatively small numbers made go for $700.00 plus if they have matching numbers and have the original targets with them. I was fortunate to get one of these for $350.00 in the 1980s and wish I had gotten a dozen.

These are the best Mauser ever made in my opinion, and you're lucky to have one.

BTW, who made those quilts?, I collect them too!
 
On the Marine NCO Sword the six point star is a proof mark indicating a quality of steel, Damascene or something.

Not all 6 point stars are "Stars of David" IIRC the key is the interlocking triangle look.
 
A six-pointed star was the trademark of the German firm of Ludwig Loewe and Co., which at one time owned Mauser. It appeared on the receiver of their rifles right beside their company name, and also on some stocks.

The family was Jewish, so the mark may have been connected with that fact, but it has no direct connection with Israel or with IDF use.

Jim
 
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