The obsession

[redneck2]

There are currently a couple threads running in the Rifle Forum about Mauser rifles. Now, for whatever reason, for as many firearms as I’ve been blessed enough to own in my lifetime, I’ve never owned a real, live Mauser.

Always kinda intrigued me, but for whatever reason I’ve gravitated towards the simpler answer of buying a factory new current version rather than going through a sporterizing or re-barreling project. I suppose there are new ones. Maybe. Dunno. There was always a Remington, CZ, Browning, whatever that filled the need.

So, I accidentally stop at a LGS the other day. Nothing I’m interested in. In fact I’m reducing my inventory, not increasing. But there in the rack is a really, really nice FN Mauser in an obscure caliber capable of taking big game. Now, I have a 7 mag that’s accurate, has a great scope. Everything I would need for any big game application I’d have. There is nothing the 7 mag won’t do that the Mauser would.

But, the Mauser is old school. Beautiful custom heavily figured walnut stock. Has an old style red recoil pad. Contrasting fore end cap. Gorgeous bluing that was typical when this rifle was made maybe 50-75 years ago. Barrel is shiny and rifling appears crisp. I think maybe it’s a factory build, not sporterized.. If you need a visual, think of the factory rifles member Offhand shows. Yeah. That nice. Asking $595.

So, obviously I have zero legitimate use for it. But it keeps gnawing at the back of my brain like a rodent chewing on wood. What is it about certain firearms (or I guess anything else) that makes emotion over ride good sense?

 

[KY DAN]

For me it is the feel of the item

I prefer custom built rifles and shotguns, the nice thing about those are when you buy used no one ever wants them because it was built to the specific needs of another person. Sometimes it fits me and I can buy a really nice rifle or shotgun for a mere penance of the cost of a gun built for me.

Now the killer of all logic and emotions..... if the caliber is such that I can not form brass to reload from cheaper brass or buy out right for a reasonable price..... $5 dollars or less a cartridge case I will walk every time.

lesson of life as follows My wife brought a shirt business and she bought all the equipment and supplies, when it came time to buy all the ink, paint,etc she learned that her "big profit" up to that point would not pay for 6 months of supplies for orders. Just because you can buy does not mean you can afford to use it.

 

[Jim Watson]

FN Mauser in an obscure caliber capable of taking big game.

Is it a SECRET obscure caliber?

 

[rust collector]

Probably something like the 7x64 Brenneke, or 9.3x62 or some other totally useless cartridge

 

[twarr1]

If you came here looking to be talked out of it you came to the wrong place. “Obscure caliber” is reason enough. But it.

 

[.38 Special]

Decades ago the LBS had a beat up old Springfield sporter sitting in a rack behind the counter. The price tag said $950 and I thought they had lost their minds. Evidently everyone else did too, as every time I came in the gun was still there. Months went by and the price tag remained unchanged. I finally made some snide comment about it, and the fellow behind the counter smirked and handed it to me. I bought it on the spot, for no reason other than the word "Sedgley" engraved on it.

I've thought on that from time to time ever since. I mean, it was a perfectly fine rifle, with good workmanship, and it generally hit what it was pointed at. I used it for a couple of years and then sold it for a decent profit, to somebody who was genuinely excited about it. But it really wasn't "better", in any real way, than a $350 special at WallyWorld. Hell, I actually thought it was kind of ugly at first, and it only became attractive after I saw the name. And not being any kind of an expert on either Springfields in general or Sedgley Springfields in particular, it could easily have been a fake, assuming anybody ever bothers to fake such things. Would it have been less attractive to me if it was a forgery? Yes, of course.

Which is all a long way of saying that I don't have a great answer for the OP, other than that humans are all nuts.

 

[starling]

I get it......I have bought a few rare pistols with low production numbers and are fundamentally so unsafe I wont even try to shoot them for fear of getting injured. Makes no sense whatsoever but.... what the hell. I ended up with a wartime cherry MAC1935a for $150 back 20 years ago and never expected to fire it (quality ammo was practically extinct). Now folks pay big money for nice samples. All Those nagant revolvers for $90 each were a wise purchase as well ( I do shoot those).

If its nagging you just go grab it. Good bet its the only chance you will ever get. I dont do impulse buys on common things or current manufactured stuff but discontinued oddball or rare stuff ....absolutely. Even have a "break glass in case of emergency" fund set aside for it.

 

[redneck2]

Is it a SECRET obscure caliber

It’s the one you responded to in the other thread. 7.62x53 IIRC. Maybe a common caliber somewhere in the world, but not to me

 

[Demi-human]

Gorgeous bluing that was typical when this rifle was made maybe 50-75 years ago. Barrel is shiny and rifling appears crisp. I think maybe it’s a factory build, not sporterized.. If you need a visual, think of the factory rifles member Offhand shows. Yeah. That nice. Asking $595.

Where did you say it was?

I’d go back before some other human comes to their senses first!

 

[redneck2]

Where did you say it was

South Bend/Mishawaka. Not far from you are if you’re at Paradise Lake

If I get there again I’ll take pictures for you. I “think” I’m remembering everything correctly, but no guarantees. Like I said, I was trying my best to be disinterested. The figure of the wood and quality of the blue struck me,

 

[Demi-human]

More than a few hours south of me, but not too far for a nice rifle.
But, I am above sniping a beautiful rifle from under a fellow, and below comfortable levels of spending capital.
Pictures will just have to suffice!

 

[redneck2]

Hey.....if you buy it, then it’s out of my path of temptation

 

[Seedy Character]

I see many firearms listed that I am extremely happy to see SOLD.

It saves me pain, anguish and $$$$

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Ya, I divested myself of all my Mausers in (now) unobtainable chamberings. It kinda pained me, but paying $2 a round for 7.65 Arg. just isn't gunna happen.

I DID score a sweet FR8 and it has pretty much scratched that itch.

Someday (too soon) Im going to have to decide which of my Dad's 30 or so Mausers to keep. Sure enough, his favorite and best is probably an immaculate Argentine M1909......sigh.

 

[rust collector]

I believe that is the Argentine caliber. My first brush with Mauser madness was a barrel of neat 1895 Argentine carbines priced at $25 in a local hardware store, with ammo in a big mixing bowl at ten cents per round. I would have been about 8, and Dad correctly surmised that I couldn't afford to shoot it much at a dime a time.

 

[Ignition Override]

redneck2:
If the bolt matches the action and has very moderate wear, the the rifle's chamber could probably pass a No-Go gauge? Just a thought.

I was recently flabbergasted to see my rifle with maybe 2,000 rds. of 7.62x39 Fail my first No-Go, but also my Field gauge.
A very astute gun shop staffer familiar with the gauges And the rifle type verified that both (safety) gauges totally failed. This rifle's external metal was attractive-but was sold for $200 as spare parts.

 

[Jim Watson]

It’s the one you responded to in the other thread. 7.62x53 IIRC. Maybe a common caliber somewhere in the world, but not to me

7.65 is pretty obscure in the sporting market. You'd have to want it pretty bad.

 

[redneck2]

I was recently flabbergasted to see my rifle with maybe 2,000 rds. of 7.62x39 Fail my first No-Go, but also my Field gauge

This is what perplexes me about Mausers, and I guess milsurps in general. One can be strong as a bank vault. The next one is fragile as glass. I’m not inclined to study hard enough to know the difference. If I buy a Browning or CZ, I know it’s 100% good to go

 

[Skylerbone]

This is what perplexes me about Mausers, and I guess milsurps in general. One can be strong as a bank vault. The next one is fragile as glass. I’m not inclined to study hard enough to know the difference. If I buy a Browning or CZ, I know it’s 100% good to go

And why I have never traversed over the line separating production firearms and military arms.

I cannot say I am guilt free where the OP intends though. My crimes of passion tend toward buying deficient pieces in hopes that with enough encouragement (and aftermarket support) they will become champions. Is $750 too much to lavish on a KelTec pistol? That’s like asking me if I’d pull the plug on a loved one with a cancer diagnosis.

I will say that my most recent acquisitions, KelTec and Norinco among them, endured years of growing desire to own before plunking down the coin. If that Mauser represents a long suffering itch, scratch it. If a passing whim, let it be.

 

[bihj]

To all who would pass on a great rifle because you can't or won't do a little research on what you have found, thanks for leaving these gems for those of us who will cherish them.

 

[redneck2]

To all who would pass on a great rifle because you can't or won't do a little research on what you have found, thanks for leaving these gems for those of us who will cherish them

I’ve tried to do “a little research”. As for the 7.62x53....

Asking Mr. Google gives rather significantly varying results. Some guys say the 7.62 x 53 and 7.62 x 54 are interchangeable. Some say the bores may either be .308 or maybe .311 and should not be interchangeable. Depend on who/where/when it was built. Or, it could have been re-bored or re-barreled

Some Mausers have gas reliefs. Some don’t. Some have soft receivers or bolts. Some don’t.

Seems to depend on who you ask, which day of the week, and which direction the wind is blowing

If I own a firearm, I expect to be able to shoot it. I have no desire for something to take up room in my safe because it looks pretty

That said, there were posts online that touted the exceptional accuracy. Intriguing

 

[Speedo66]

I was taken with the two Mausers I bought, a Swedish long rifle and a Swedish short rifle, at $89 and $79 respectively.

You could see, and feel, the quality that was there. Both gone at this point, but I really enjoyed them while I had them, especially the short rifle.

They are as good a starting point as any if you want to experience a fine, accurate Mauser. Also, a good blank sheet if you decide to customize one.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

Probably something like the 7x64 Brenneke, or 9.3x62 or some other totally useless cartridge

The best kind!

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

I'm up to six 1898 Mausers so far, from various manufacturers.

Two may have come from the Mauser factory, but both the single-shot WehrmannGewehr and Yugo 98/48 have had the original German markings scrubbed during refurbishment:


Two are Husqvarna commercial sporters with FN actions:


One is a 1960s full-stocked sporter made by Heym for sale through Monkey Wards:


And one is an ex-Israeli Czech Brno K98k converted to 7.62x51 and heavily modified into a Scout configuration:

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

Say Dave,
That full stock one looks exactly like the one a neighbor loaned me for my first deer hunt a long time ago.
I'm guessing that's a Weaver 4 power scope with a post reticule on it..?