New 1908 Brazilian Mauser and K31

[Mustang51]

I have a thing for Swiss rifles (and most others to boot), especially late K31's, and any of the older long rifles.

Over the weekend, I again succumbed to my addiction and bought a late model K31 (240xxx). This one has a nice looking stock that I thought was walnut, but have been told is beech.



Description advised as follows:

Swiss Schmidt-Rubin Karabiner Model 1931 (K31) Straight-Pull Rifle, #240xxx, 7.5x55mm Swiss, 25.7'' barrel, blue finish, European walnut stock, with leather sling. Lightly import marked. Condition is fine to near excellent retaining approx. 96% blue on receiver. Stock shows minor dings, scratches, thinning to finish, and light oil staining. Action is crisp, bore is bright.

Also glommed this 1908 DWM Brazilian Mauser that is supposed to be in "excellent condition"with an "excellent bore"

Here is the pic from the auction site



Better pic and range report when it arrives.

 

[Rustle in the bushes]

mhmmm! from a guy that likes his walnut I gotta say that beech is something fine. its in even better shape than mine.

Dont forget to shoot it. lots!

 

[tahoe2]

you scored again Mustang !! Congrats !!

 

[Slamfire]

I have never seen any German issued 98’s in excellent condition, so handling and owning several excellent condition South American 98’s was a real eye opener in terms of the outstanding machining, fit and finish to be found on those early rifles.

Do not confuse the excellent machining with excellent metallurgy. Pre WW1 metallurgy is not that good, so don’t hot load these things. Keep within period pressures and velocities.

I found my M1908 needed a taller front sight, the thing is zeroed for some ridiculous distance, maybe 300 meters or 400 meters. I would recommend putting a new mainspring in, won’t hurt. Get a Wolff spring.

Mine shot best with 175’s.

 

[Mustang51]

Thanks guys.

Slam I'll keep the metallurgy in mind. I like the period cartridges like 7 x 57, 7.65 x 53, etc.

My sons and I shoot our vintage military rifles in various matches held at the Sacramento Valley Shooting Center. We started out shooting the Vintage Military Silhouette match for "as issued" rifles 50 years and older With Chickens @ 200m, Pigs @ 300m, Turkeys @ 385m and Rams @ 500m. Here is a pic of the silhouette range



More recently, we added the "Vintage Military long range" match, shot at paper targets @ 300, 500, 600 and 800 yards. That match is fired on the 1000 yard range at the top of this pic

http://binged.it/LRzsfF

Few people shoot 7 x 57 in those matches, but I have no doubt that it will be a great cartridge for those matches.

 

[tahoe2]

hey Mustang, do those matches require period correct, bullet weights & styles??
Or can you load match quality bullets??

 

[Mustang51]

The paper matches are pretty much anything goes...match, commercial surplus or reloads.

The only restriction on ammo for the silhouette match is no FMJ, AP, etc, because it is hard on the silhouettes. Soft points, HP's, etc only.

 

[bainter1212]

Great looking rifles. I live in Elk Grove, and will be seeing you out at one of these vintage matches, with my Enfield No.4. Good shooting!

"One Fish" Bainter

 

[Mustang51]

The silhouette matches are the third Saturday of every month. The paper matches are less regular, but probably average about quarterly.

They also have the odd-ball vintage military silhouette matches..."gas-gun" (Garands and other semi-auto's), vintage sniper (vintage military with a scope, not necessarily period correct), etc. These are less regular.

Last Sunday they had a vintage "gas gun" match...I was overall match winner with my Ljungman

 

[tahoe2]

sounds like great fun, I would love to attend one of those. I need to check my local range, and see if they offer the same!