Recently got my hands on an early Oberndorf
mauser commercial sporter . ser# 49018
double set trigger
8mm mauser [ 8x57 ]
military style rear sight
ramp style front sight
round knob pistol grip
fine cut checkering on pistol grip
lever operated magazine floor plate release
23.5 in barrel
WAFFENFABRIK
MAUSER A-G
OBERNDORF A/N

Could someone tell me ;
year of manufacture ?
what does the letter designation mean ?

Thanks for your help , Bob

quote:

Originally posted by Bear Cat:
Recently got my hands on an early Oberndorf
mauser commercial sporter . ser# 49018
double set trigger
8mm mauser [ 8x57 ]
military style rear sight
ramp style front sight
round knob pistol grip
fine cut checkering on pistol grip
lever operated magazine floor plate release
23.5 in barrel
WAFFENFABRIK
MAUSER A-G
OBERNDORF A/N

Could someone tell me ;
year of manufacture ?
what does the letter designation mean ?

Thanks for your help , Bob

I can't help you with the year of manufacture but Oberndorf A/N means Oberndorf An Neckar or Oberndorf on the Neckar(River).

Year is estimated 1911

AG= Aktien Gesellschaft, Mauser Co incorporated in 1897 at which time AG was added after Mauser

Does the action have the crown B and crown U proofs ?

Thanks guys
manhasset , yes the action does indeed have
crown B , and crown U proofs...
What does that tell us ?
Bob

The crown, IIRC, designated proofing under the imperial regime.

That would mean 1919/prior.

I said IIRC...

looks like manhasset nails it below

crown B = rifle proofed in assembled form

crown U = final inspection proof

from Speeds "oberndorf sporting rifles",mauser co had its own proof house in oberndorf. completed rifles passing proof were marked with correct proofs of the period. pre wwI commercial and sporting arms passing were stamped with crown B and crown U. these marks are found alone on mauser sporters made from 1898 to around 1924 after which further marks were added.after proofing the rifles were returned to the shop, disassembled for application of mauser co markings and final finishing."
hope this helps,
Bob

Thanks , I'll try to post some pics ,
this rifle is in excellant condition .
I would like to establish some approx. value
Bob

the full rifle serial number was normally stamped on the back wall of each box.