Help Identifying a Mauser-type .308

[guyfromohio]

I'm selling a rifle on Armslist and wanted to get a bit more information on it. Honestly, I don't know what it is. It was sold to me as a Mauser in .308 about 10 years ago. Markings on the action say "Waffenfabrik Steyr Austria". On the top, it reads "Modelo 1912-61 NATO". Barrel is stamped "M12 .308". It is in very rough shape. Thoughts as to what it might be? I'm asking $200 for it now since I paid about $100 10 years ago.

 

[guyfromohio]

 

[guyfromohio]

 

[ironworkerwill]

Chilean Mauser http://randyrick.us/AustrianFirearms/rm1912.htm I'm guessing yours has a 23'' barrel.

 

[guyfromohio]

Looks like a winner. The Crest is spot-on.

 

[ironworkerwill]

"MODELO", it reminds me of BEER every time.

 

[guyfromohio]

Indeed

 

[Jim K]

If that rifle was converted from 7x57 by rebarrelling, it should be OK. But the Chileans converted some of the older 7mm Mausers to 7.62 NATO by drilling out the old chamber, installing a plug and then reboring and re-rifling the old barrel. Since the intent was to update rifles for use only in an emergency, the change was probably OK, but IMHO it could have potential problems. Here is what I mean (on a Modelo 1895).

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=152771&d=1321318955

Jim

 

[guyfromohio]

The barrel has a city in Virginia stamped on it which leads me to believe that it has been re-barreled.

 

[Jim Watson]

I have read on the internet, and therefore it must be true, that while the Chilean 1895 7mms were rebored and the chamber bushed for 7.62, the 1898/1912 rifles were rebarrelled.

A "city in Virginia" is probably the importer.

 

[guyfromohio]

I was able to trade it for 750 rounds of brass 9mm range fodder. I think we both left happy.