Old Mauser Question

[dannyintexas]

My father inherited an M98 Mauser 8mm and all of the factory markings are intact. A neighbor told us that he believes this means our rifle may have been smuggled into the USA pre-war by nazi sympathizers. (Sounds fishy to me)
But anyway, is there anybody who knows a bit about the old M98 GEW mausers?

 

[NCsmitty]

Welcome to THR, dannyintexas.

A couple pictures of the markings on the top of the receiver and the left side may be enough to identify the rifle's manufacturer.
More than likely it was brought back by returning G.I.'s at some point.


NCsmitty

 

[Float Pilot]

Before the war they would not have needed to smuggle anything...

 

[Uncle Grinch]

Mauser Info...

Take a look at the stickies ion this forum.


http://www.mausercentral.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=13

 

[madcratebuilder]

My father inherited an M98 Mauser 8mm and all of the factory markings are intact. A neighbor told us that he believes this means our rifle may have been smuggled into the USA pre-war by nazi sympathizers. (Sounds fishy to me)
But anyway, is there anybody who knows a bit about the old M98 GEW mausers?

OMG, that's funny.

During the 50's and 60's Mauser were imported to the USA as mil-surp rifles and sold for $15. After the GCA of 1968 all import mil-surp fire arms received a "import mark", normally on the barrel or some times on the receiver.

 

[dannyintexas]

Thanks all. Looks like this is an 88, not a 98. Now we have to find out if shootable ammo exists.

 

[Cosmoline]

Lots of folks use cast loads for their 88's. You'll first need to slug the bore to verify its bore size as it may be .318".

Also--we need pics!

 

[NCsmitty]

Looks like this is an 88, not a 98. Now we have to find out if shootable ammo exists.

I would be very cautious if it's an M88, they originally used a smaller bullet diameter and can be dangerous to shoot with 8x57JS ammo if not converted. That's along with the fact that it's a weaker action with old metallurgy.
It would be a good idea to have the rifle checked by a competent gunsmith before attempting to fire it.



NCsmitty

 

[dannyintexas]

OK got some info. It is a Danzig S-marked 88. (Don't know what that means)
Needs replacement parts for a few items. Can somebody point me in the right direction.
It may be that the old school may have been a military school that purchased the mausers after WW1 for the cadets to train with.

 

[waidmann]

Danzig, now Gdansk, Poland was the arsenal at which it was built. "S" indicates it was converted from .318 to .323 to accomodate the new (1906) larger spitzer bullet. Gew (Gewehr) indicates full rifle size, not Kar (Karabiner) a carbine.

The date of manufacture ought to be on it. Gunparts Inc.,Sarco and Gunbroker are sources for parts. If it were mine I'd retire it.

 

[mortablunt]

PICS, or we can't tell what it is. Your laptop ought to have a camera.

 

[dannyintexas]

I will pic up asap.