1909 Peruvian Mauser ?

[PeteCO]

Hi all.

About six months ago, I bought a rifle for $50 , the guy who I bought it from said he was a retired gunsmith and he had played around with a Mauser action.

I am wondering if anyone can tell me about it, like its history, how rare it is, how desireable (or undesireable) it is, and whether its a keeper or not. And of course, is it safe.... It is a "sporterized" Peruvian 1909 with a .308 Midway barrel and some generic birch stock.

I have not been able to find much out about it, and it's driving me nuts. I do have some concerns about the ability of this action to stand up to a .308, but mainly curiosity is getting the best of me.

The top of the receiver has a round "Republic of Peru" crest on it with "Mauser Original" printed across the reciver just below the crest.

On the side of the receiver is the following from left to right:
- Two small symbols, look like proof marks or something
- "19820" (must be the serial # ?)
- "Waffenfabrik Mauser - Oberndorf A/N"
- "Modelo 1909"

Thanks!!

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Hi all.

About six months ago, I bought a rifle for $50 , the guy who I bought it from said he was a retired gunsmith and he had played around with a Mauser action.

I am wondering if anyone can tell me about it, like its history, how rare it is, how desireable (or undesireable) it is, and whether its a keeper or not. And of course, is it safe.... It is a "sporterized" Peruvian 1909 with a .308 Midway barrel and some generic birch stock.

I have not been able to find much out about it, and it's driving me nuts. I do have some concerns about the ability of this action to stand up to a .308, but mainly curiosity is getting the best of me.

The top of the receiver has a round "Republic of Peru" crest on it with "Mauser Original" printed across the reciver just below the crest.

On the side of the receiver is the following from left to right:
- Two small symbols, look like proof marks or something
- "19820" (must be the serial # ?)
- "Waffenfabrik Mauser - Oberndorf A/N"
- "Modelo 1909"

Thanks!!

What you have is a modified M98 Mauser, made by Oberndorf for Peru, The bolt and magazine are slightly shorter than standard Mausers (6.615 vs 6.370 for the bolt and 3.115 vs 3.315 for the magazine.)

Because we cannot examine the rifle personally, no one here can tell you if it's safe -- the action should be fine, but in the end, it depends on the quality of workmanship when it was sporterized.

My main concern with this rifle would be headspace. If that's okay, it should be safe to shoot.

 

[PeteCO]

Excellent. Thanks for the info. I am going to have a competent gunsmith look it over before I shoot the thing.