Mauser happy!

[Dave DeLaurant]

Apropos of an earlier post about an estate which I've been trying to help organize and sell, today I arranged with the executor to purchase several handguns and longarms for my own collection. I've had to spread payments out over several months, but the first two, both Mauser long rifles, were paid for today.

The first was a relatively nice M1938 Turkish K. Kale rifle in 7.92x57. The finish quality is just OK, but the bore is very good and the action is surprisingly slick. Some stock dings, but not bad condition as these rifles go.




At the other end of the scale, in both quality and price, is the Brno-manufactured Persian 98/29. I had to pass on a Persian short rifle over twenty years ago and I've regretted it ever since. I seem to recall that one also had the same kind of shiny stock finish. This rifle is beautiful, inside and out.



I took both actions out of their respective stocks for inspection and light oiling. The condition of the metal finish on both rifles was just as good under the stock line.

 

[Rodfac]

Great find Dave....is the Persian in 7.92x57 (8mm) as well? Rod

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

Great find Dave....is the Persian in 7.92x57 (8mm) as well? Rod

Yup. Both rifles are sort of variations on the same theme -- only the Persians cost three times as much!

 

[Riomouse911]

Very nice.

That is one smooth rifle. I just wish those old guns could tell us their stories.

Stay safe.

 

[Slamfire]

There was a short period in which like new Persian 98/29 Mausers were being sold, and I should have purchased one. I saw one at the range and regretted that it was too late to buy one. You are very lucky to find one in such good condition.

The machining on those Mausers is just outstanding. Real gems from a time when fit and finish, even in military weapons, was considered important.

 

[AMraider]

Both of those are great looking rifles. Well done!

 

[mountainroads]

Very cool additions to your collection. I had an Argentinian 7mm Mauser that I gave to a good friend because he went deer hunting more often than I did. (Anyone went deer hunting more than I did.) At least he put it to good use.

- MR

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Very cool, Dave!

I should have a spare Turk bayonet around here somewhere. If I can find it, Ill send it your way.

 

[JmacD]

NICE!!!! Good find.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

Very cool, Dave!

I should have a spare Turk bayonet around here somewhere. If I can find it, Ill send it your way.

Cool! I've been trying to figure out what stabber it takes -- it lacks the usual German-style Mauser 98 rail fitting and just has a smallish lug and reduced barrel diameter at the muzzle that indicates something with a ring guard?

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Cool! I've been trying to figure out what stabber it takes -- it lacks the usual German-style Mauser 98 rail fitting and just has a smallish lug and reduced barrel diameter at the muzzle that indicates something with a ring guard?

Yup, as far as I know the Turk pattern is unique.

 

[792mauser]

Yup.
I remember the last of those Persians in the shotgun news.

I'm still kicking myself for not buying any all these years later.

 

[tark]

Fantastic find, Dave! I consider the Persian Mausers and the 1909 Argentine's the two finest large ring Mausers ever made.

 

[Ignition Override]

Those “Persians”….
are Czech Mausers.

Highlighted here Just in case somebody skims over the info, and is unaware.

I finally learned that were Czech, about twelve years ago—- only After— Samco’s supply of near-mint “Persians” were Sold Out .

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

Those “Persians”….
are Czech Mausers.

In case anyone wants a bit more info on the manufacturer, here's an earlier posting I did about the recent book on Zbrojovka Brno.

New Book in English about Zbrojovka Brno

I just received my copy in today's mail: There aren't many other good resources in English on this company, an arms and engineering giant. Another work I'm saving my pennies to acquire is Czech Firearms and Ammunition: History and Present by Dolinek, Karlicky and Vacha, but that book sells...

www.thehighroad.org

It doesn't go into great detail about individual rifles produced there however, and a better source for Persian Mausers would be the relevant chapter in:

Bolt Action Military Rifles of the World by Stuart C. Mowbray

Discover a whole world of bolt action military rifles as your authors take you on a country-by-country tour of these fascinating weapons.

gunandswordcollector.com

 

[theotherwaldo]

I never found a Persian Mauser before they got too expensive for my taste, but I picked up a number of other Czech-built Mausers that were destined for Turkey.
These have never disappointed me.

 

[Bwana John]

I would pay quite a bit for a VG-EX shorty Persian VZ-30 Camel Carbine with the saddle ring.

 

[Chief TC]

Wow - what a cool rifle! Congrats!