7.62x39 Brazilian Mauser

[william benson]

hello guys. First of all glad to be part of THR. i recently acquired a brazilian mauser chambered in 7.62x39. i know nothing about mausers and would like to know if anyone could give me a little info on them. i have already tried Google but alas could not find anything on one in this caliber. i would like to know if this is a conversion. its definitely not an amateur job if it is a conversion. any help with info would be greatly appreciated. also if someone could give me an approximate value that would be great.

 

[Jim K]

It is a conversion. The rifle is/was a Brazilian Model 1894, originally in 7x57, so it has been rebarrelled (or less likely, rebored). When that rifle was made originally, there was no such cartridge as 7.62x39 and a Czar was on the throne of Russia.

The cartridge is medium power, somewhat lighter than the .30-30; it was designed for use with the Russian AK-47 selective fire rifle. Recoil should be light and the rifle may be accurate depending on what diameter the barrel is. The rifle is a custom job, and evaluation is really not possible. Most folks buying a rifle like that would want a more powerful cartridge, like .308 Winchester or the original 7x57.

Someone simply wanted something different and was willing to pay to get it. If you want to sell it, you will have to find someone else who wants something different. In short, it is worth whatever you paid for it - to you.

Jim

 

[Edarnold]

A nice sporterizing job, I would be concerned about how it was converted to 7.62x39. The barrel certainly looks like military contour, which means either 7x57 rebored to 7.62 or perhaps the 7.65x53 Argentine, which would be the correct bore diameter. In either case, the chamber would be too large in base diameter and length to rechamber to the 7.62x39 case. Since the contour of the barrel indicates it was not set back, the only way to get the correct chambering would be to bore out the original breech and install an insert, then cut the new chamber. Some ex-military rifles have been converted this way, with mixed results. If you inspect the barrel breech with the bolt removed, the insert will show up as a ring around the chamber, also if you see a long leade in front of the chamber before the start of the rifling. If the conversion was done with an insert, the only possible problem would be the insert loosening and coming out. As long as it's secure, the rifle should be safe to shoot, the US Navy converted many M1 Garands that way to use the 7.62x51 NATO cartridge when that became the standard US round.

 

[william benson]

thank you both for the very helpful info. i checked the bore and do not see a chamber insert. i did find a marking on the side of the barrel "mod 39 7.62x39". not sure if that is any indication to anything other than the caliber. the guy i got the rifle from had it for nearly 20 years. it is very accurate and fun to shoot. i personally have not got to try any shots farther than 200 yards. but at that range groups are consistent and within 1" to 1 1/2" grouping. could anyone suggest a better bolt to upgrade to? with the scope mounted the safety is a little aggravating to engage. also would like the bolt handle to be longer. if anyone has suggestions that would be much appreciated.

 

[Jim Watson]

A neat job.
I recall Numrich selling conversion kits at one time. You got a barrel threaded for the Mauser action and stepped to fit an existing stock, and bolt and magazine parts for the smaller round.

Bolt improvements:
The bolt and extractor have been altered to handle the smaller diameter case of the 7.62x39, I sure would not undertake to replace that.
What you can do is get a low scope safety that swings only to one side; about a 60 degree movement instead of 180. That would be a DIY or simple gunsmith installation.
There are a lot of tackytickle gunsmiths now who can weld on a longer bolt handle, or just cut off the knob and thread the shank for an elongated knob that will be easier to grasp.

 

[william benson]

now that you mention it i remember seeing an old add for those conversion kits in some of dads gun books. i will definitely look into that new safety. i might take the bolt to the local machine shop and see if they could do the bolt handle. is there somewhere you would suggest ordering parts from?

 

[Jim K]

A 7.62x39 Mauser conversion that shoots 1" at 200 yards!! Keep it and treasure it.

As to the bolt, a good gunsmith can work on that bolt to lengthen and adjust the handle.

Jim

 

[william benson]

That was my thoughts exactly. I was very surprised at the accuracy. I plan on keeping it and using it for hunting. Definitely a lot lighter that the smle my dad left me lol. And again thank you everyone for the great info and help on this gun.

 

[Jim Watson]

I would be very careful about taking a rifle bolt to a general machine shop for welding on the handle. There are a lot of sections of that bolt that should not get hot, a real gunsmith will have heat sinks and protective coatings to keep the cocking cam, etc. from getting hot.

 

[william benson]

I didn't even think about that. Thank you for telling me that. I will check around for good gunsmiths in my area.

 

[Edarnold]

A Numrich barrel that shoots sub-MOA? Mirabile dictu! The last Numrich barrel I had was a 45-70 conversion for a Rolling Block, it was Ok except for the bore being off-center at the muzzle by about 3/32". Perhaps I got the lemon... Anyway, congratulations to Mr. Benson on getting a gem, I've hankered after a 7.62x39 bolt action for years but not enough to pay for a CZ, and the other brands that have come along went away before I could get one.
Mr. Watson, I salute your memory for the kind of oddities I used to pride myself on remembering. But apparently I'm old now, guess I'll just sit in the corner and play with my oatmeal...

 

[Jim Watson]

Gee, Ed, the old stuff is about all I CAN remember.

 

[william benson]

i would like to thank all of you for the great help you have been. this really is an awesome community. glad i can be a part of it!