I you could find an original 8mm Oberndorf Mauser, with receiver, barrel etc... all matching numbers what would that be worth?

I want to buy one bad, just for the history, but I want the real deal!

Also, what calibers could you build off the 8x57?

A run-of-the-mill Type B sporter in very good to excellent unaltered condition, $1500 or thereabouts, maybe more. I would not rebarrel or modify an original unaltered collector quality rifle.

Genuine German Mauser 8X57 exist in all sorts of shops and dealers back rooms !. Not to mention private collectors or certain gun shows .

Prices range from what I've seen over the last 40 years from $ 15.00 - $ 4,000.00 for some choice Sniper versions . Check out Shot Gun news many dealers supposedly have gotten hold of just what your looking for !.

I was fortunate to purchase them when they were under $ 200.00 for the Real Deal in excellent condition . You figure out the years !. I also purchased M1's for $ 50.00 bucks in Top condition , back then !!!. Try that now days !.

A couple of years ago ( 3 to be exact ) I found a deal and then some !. I was working helping an elderly lady and her daughter renovate their home , so as to sell and move .

Any way She offered me 2 Arisaka's a 99 & 38 Mums and all marks were perfect !. She also had a 98 code 42 Mauser . Upon digging further into her deceased husbands closet ( He had been dead for over 45 years ! ) My great fortune no one had cleaned out that closet !.

Because in the back in an old rug sticking out of a almost non existent box were 3 Samuri swords . An Officers sword with matching short sword and a small short sword in a Wooden case .
It had a very distinct handle of shark skin and pearl eyes the wooden sheath. It was as near a perfect fit as I've ever seen on any two mating surfaces , Even metal !.

I being an honest sort told her she needed them appraised , because she was willing to take $ 300.00 for the lot off of my bill !. I refused !.

She then informed me she had no intention of having someone else have them or getting an appraisal on them !. So I offered to remodel her kitchen in exchange for them !. She thought she was cheating me !!!.

I did the work , she still tried to pay me when I finished I sent her check back to her bank with instructions to have them re deposit it in her account or cancel it !.

The point of all this was and is You find them in the strangest places some times !.

The little short sword is worth 5 kitchen remodels by the way !. Seems as it's from the 1400 - 1500 era of Feudal Japan !.

Her husband was Army Air Corp and saw duty in both theaters of operation WW2 !. The 99 Arisaka still has blood all over the stock and part of the action !!!!!!!. ...

Wow! That's an amazing tale [b]Dr.K[/]!

Good on ya' to refuse the ladies money.

I am looking at a Mauser and according to the research Ihave done, it is an original Oberndorf, but from the period late in WW-II. It's not the vintage stuff from prior to WW-II, when the quality was at it's finest.
Still the info' I have says it's the legit' item so I may buy it (assuming someone else has not already done so). Legit' as in, it's not the Yugo', Czech etc, knock-off...

/

Dr. K

I too commend you on your honesty with that elderly woman. You are the type of guy that it would be a pleasure to call a friend.

ALF

You forgot the Brazilian and Chilean Mausers with the Mauser Banner stamp on them. Both made in 1935 at the Mauser Home plant in Oberndorf. Both very desireable for a custom sporter. And both getting extremely scarce to find, thereby making them rather costly when you do find one.

Demonical

That is one hell of a nice buck you got there. Where I hunt whitetails that one would be a once in a lifetime buck.

quote:

Originally posted by 22WRF:
Demonical

That is one hell of a nice buck you got there. Where I hunt whitetails that one would be a once in a lifetime buck.

22WRF, thanks for the comment about the buck. But since I live in Alberta it is just a nice whitetail. I am still looking for the big one!


FYI the Mauser I am buying is the [b]byf[/] designation. The research I have done says it was built at the Mauser Oberndorf factory between 1941 and 1945. Until I get it and examine the rifle I cannot say much more. It looks to have all genuine proof markings and all numbers on bolt, receiver, barrel match (so I am told).
Note: The original military stock is gone. The rifle has a synthetic stock. This doesn't bother me, although you have to wonder at the wisdom of the person that removed that, if it really is what I think it is...

Still, it's a good looking rifle, apparently original Oberndorf and cheap (bear rifle).

quote:

ALF:
First off are we referring to Sporting Mausers here or military mausers built at Oberndorf on the Neckar?

Ditto. I assumed the question pertained to original Oberndorf sporting rifles. Big difference.

quote:

Originally posted by fla3006:

quote:

ALF:
First off are we referring to Sporting Mausers here or military mausers built at Oberndorf on the Neckar?

Ditto. I assumed the question pertained to original Oberndorf sporting rifles. Big difference.

My bad! I should have said original Oberndorf Mauser action.

Demonical, I still occasionally find decent pre-war donor 1935 Chileans & Brazilians for around $300, sometimes less. 09 Peruvians usually a little more. These make super-nice custom sporters. War-time military versions, even if manufactured at the Oberndorf plant, are less desirable IMO.

Thanks Guys ; I try to be square with everybody !. Not just the older ones . I figure it this way what comes around goes around !!.

I like a bargain as well as the next guy but theft is theft !.

Her husband brought them home from the war . She knew they were there but never could bring herself to " Clean " out any of his things .

I lucked out big time and still have all the stuff !. I didn't sell any of it , some day I might but I saw no immediate need .

Although everything was original I wish the time had been taken to clean out the bores and oil or plug them !. I'm sure I don't need to tell any of you what they looked like after all those years of neglect in storage .

As the old saying goes crap in this hand wish in that hand see which comes true !.

Shoot straight know your target ...

fla3006, the gun is $325, perhaps I am over-spending. But I have always wanted one ya' know?
It's a long distance kinda deal. I can only go by pics, plus the man's word. So I'm going to get it and hope it is a servicable gun.
I'd post a pic if I could, but I cannot get access to the site (where the pics are) right now.

Okay I got pics of the rifle. You can see it is the genuine Oberndorf Mauser by the proofs, serial number... in fact everything in the pics jives exactly with the research I did. See link, that I will attach.




Looks like serial number 9848


Built in 1943.

http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/uniforms_firearms/firearms/98k/k98index.htm

I am sending off a Money Order tomorrow. $325 for this rifle as-is.
I'm hoping the action, barrel, etc, are tight. I will try my 8x57 loads in it. I think it will make a decent rifle for stalking black bear.

Here's pics of my Model 98. It is serial No. 8848, manufactured at Oberndorf Germany in 1943. All serial numbers match, on every component.

It looks like the rifle was professionally refinished. I believe the barrel was turned on a lathe to recontour it, but the experts should be able to tell at a glance. It has 4 distinct steps; a Lyman front sight, plus Lyman peep sight.

I didn't weigh it, but I'd guess it's about 7-3/4 lbs, as is. I don't know what the stock is, but it's got a nice heft to it; a great Pachmyr Decelerator recoil pad.

It should be perfect for hunting in the timber, or spot and stalk black bear.

Looks stock military except for the sights. Nice rifles - none better IMO. I am also very fond of the 8x57.

Congrats,
Todd

quote:

Originally posted by Demonical:
Also, what calibers could you build off the 8x57?

Demonical,

Looks like you found a very clean and nice rifle. Congrats.

As for what calibers could you build off the 8x57, there's really nothing wrong with the 8x57 itself. Personally, I'd just keep it an 8x57.



The 8x57 is no slouch. I have a Rem 700 Classic in 8x57. I chronographed the 196 gr SPCE Sellier & Bellot load listed above out of my rifle (24" bbl). My average velocity was right at 2640 fps (instrumental). That's not too shabby. When the 8x57 is loaded to it's full potential, there are no flies on the 8x57.

-Bob F.

Yes! That is a very nice rifle. I have been watching a matching BYF 44 for a few days now. I think it will go for less than $200 in great shape. We'll see. It would match my other one that is now a 6.5-284.

BFaucett I do not intend to rechamber the rifle. It was more just a question for curiosity sake, I guess.
I also have a M-700 '04 Classic in 8x57 (I'm assuming yours is also the 2004 Classic). It's a sweet shooter too.

I was just at the range with the rifles today, working on a load with 220gr Sierra GameKings. That's a damn fine bullet; underrated IMHO. It is definitely the bullet I believe I will use from now on in the 8x57. I'm gonna get it around 2250fps MV and it should be the ticket for black bear and elk in the timber... with either of the 8x57's (loaded with 43.5grs H-414 my shots today avg'd ~2075fps MV).

I have to adjust the sight down a bit on the M-98; it's shooting a bit high at 100 yards.

This is an interesting discussion. I just bought two Mod 98 military receivers, both of which still have the original barrel attached. One has S/27 and 1937 on the front receiver ring. The seller said it is made by ERMA, whatever that means. The other is Oberndorf S42G, made in 1935. I received the S/27 yesterday, and I'm still waiting on the S42G.

The S/27 is a beautiful receiver, no pitting, but it does have the serial no. etched in.

I don't really understand what is going on in the Mauser parts sales businesses, but lately I see a lot of these stripped barreled receivers. Apparantly they are being parted out.

The reason I bought them is because I have two FN commercial bolts looking for a reciever mate. I inserted one of the bolts into the S/27 receiver and wow that's a good fit, and slick, feeds good and everything.

Looks like this experiment may work out. These are not collector items anyway, so I bought them because I was looking for the best examples I could find of the Mod 98 receivers, and I had read these were good years.

My main question now is whether to replace the military barrels or not. The first one is a little dark, but has good rifling. I haven't cleaned in enough yet to judge the chamber. I have never fired a Mauser that still had the original military barrel, so I don't know what to expect, and whether I'm wasting time messing with them. I like the 8x57 caliber, so that's not a problem at all. What is the experience on this from some of you guys?

Now that I have reviewed what I wrote, I realize that the barrels may have to be removed anyway to deal with headspacing, given that the bolts are not original. But anyway, I'm still curious about your experience with the original military 8x57 barrels?

Thanks,
KB

Kabluewy my buddy, who knows a thing or more about such stuff, says the stepped contours on the barrel of my M-98 is s standard military barrel.
FWIW he was impressed with the overall condition and above average machining evident on my rifle. I would bet, given everything else (all matching serial numbers) with this rifle, that it is the original barrel.

I have to build some more handloads and get it back to the range, to do more evaluation on it's accuracy.

I'll be looking for your report.
Thanks.

Kableuwy, keep in mind the rifle's capabilities are pretty much certain to exceed mine.

The value depends on several factors: 1. Condition? 2. Commercial (without thumb cut) or a military barrele and action? Quality of fit & finish, and grade of wood in the stock?

Calibers based on 8X57mm case:

6mm Mauser/6mm Remington, 257 Roberts, 6.5X57mm, 6.9X57mm Chinese (a .270X57mm), 7X57mm Mauser, .30X57mm (wildcat), 7,8X57mm Mauser (.318" bore) 7.92X57mm (.323" bore), 8.8X57mm, (.338X57mm Mauser), 9X57mm, 9.5X57mm. I would NOT go bigger than a 9.5 (.375) due to potential headspace problems.

OK! So it is merely a Nazi military rifle made by the Mauser plant during WWII. IMO, just because it was made at the Oberndorf plant does not embue it with any special increase or premium in value. It is just another military Mauser from WWII. There are just tons of these around. And if it has been "sporterized", the present value will depend on who did the work, and how well it was done.

The one advantage I see to such a rifle is that you can cobble it up any way you want, and the value will (generally) not be too adversely affected.

You forgot the 5,6x57 RWS, an .224 inch round for fox, roedeer and chamois, that has an 74 grain Kegel Spitz and solid bullet in 3410 fps, thats the factory load.

An very flatshooting round, poi on 300 when zeroed on 200 meters is 7 inches under point of aim.

quote:

Originally posted by mr rigby:
You forgot the 5,6x57 RWS, an .224 inch round for fox, roedeer and chamois, that has an 74 grain Kegel Spitz and solid bullet in 3410 fps, thats the factory load.

An very flatshooting round, poi on 300 when zeroed on 200 meters is 7 inches under point of aim.

No, I didn't forget that round! I don't consider it to be a true offspring of the 8X57mm original, because although the case is 57mm long, it is a very different case, made of extra-thick brass, not merely an 8X57mm Mauser case necked down to shoot .22 caliber bullets...... I suppose it is in that same general family, however.

My 1903 Turkish Mausers have Orberndorf actions that are short. Those rifles were 4/$100 delivered in 2000 from Century. I have paid $65 ea + shipping since.


But this 1918 Oberndorf action, I got from an on line auction a year ago, is full length like a VZ24.

quote:

http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976681668.htm

" *Category:* Mauser Rifles
<http://www.gunsamerica.com/fast.cgi?guncat=1970> *GA#:* 976681668
*Model:* Obendorf military *Seller #:*
*Price:* *$80.00 * *Seller:* A. Royal
Action only. Stamped 1918 on receiver. Bolt face is clean. Receiver has some pitting below stock line, otherwise good action. The magazine with this action is not military, but a sleek sporter with contoured trigger guard. Sporter Bolt handle, Blackburn trigger, stock available. At this price, you pay for shipping."

tnekkcc,
What are your plans for the action?

KB

Plans?
What plans?

I did a search on "Blackburn", found one, and bought it, but the action arrived without the trigger.
Never trust non sentence sentence structure

I threw that Orberndorf on the pile with dozens of other Mausers I am in various stages of sporterizing.

quote:

Originally posted by Demonical:
Here's pics of my Model 98. It is serial No. 8848, manufactured at Oberndorf Germany in 1943. All serial numbers match, on every component.

It looks like the rifle was professionally refinished. I believe the barrel was turned on a lathe to recontour it, but the experts should be able to tell at a glance. It has 4 distinct steps; a Lyman front sight, plus Lyman peep sight..............

I have to adjust the sight down a bit on the M-98; it's shooting a bit high at 100 yards.

I got a rifle for $165, that is much like that, that shoots high.
I seem to get allot of Mausers at gun shows that someone screwed up the sights.
I can always fix sights

Here are my notes:

quote:

Master Gun list:
K98 Nazi eagle 37 proof mark = 1938 to 1944 [this one was 1940] 7.92x57 perfect bore All matching w/ swastikas, re blued, Sporterized, nice sport stock with raised cheek piece, checkered Ebony at for end and bottom of pistol grip, old Redfield sights Semi bent bolt, JP Saur



Range report
9) JP Saur 98K Mauser 8mm 23.75" barrel, Redfield peep sight 7.5 pounds,
Shoots 1' high with rear sight all the way down touching the charging hump on K98 receiver, fired one shot.

quote:

Originally posted by tnekkcc:
Plans?
What plans?

I did a search on "Blackburn", found one, and bought it, but the action arrived without the trigger.
Never trust non sentence sentence structure

I threw that Orberndorf on the pile with dozens of other Mausers I am in various stages of sporterizing.

Oh, I understand now. You thought you were buying a blackburn trigger, with an old Mauser action thrown in, even though the ad was for a mauser action. In other words, you thought you were getting something for nothing. I can understand your dissappointment, although it seldom happens to me, because I mostly believe you get what you pay for, with few exceptions. Heck, the sleek sporter magazine was probably worth $40 - $50 if not more.

KB

Okay I built some handloads and shot 5 in my M-700 ; a hair over 1" for 5 shots with that. Average velocity was 2275 fps MV. I love the load, 64.5grs H-414 with a 220gr Sierra GameKing. Should be excellent for anything in this country.

And I fired 5 of those same handloads through the M-98. Keep in mind it's a peep sight and maybe I'm not David Tubbs but it was a 6" group.
More troubling/puzzling is that the average velocity was ~2100 fps MV.

Explain why the M-98 averages 165 fps MV slower, unless the barrel is shot out?

Also would you recommend that I add a grain or 2 of powder to try to get 2250 fps with the M-98?

Rebore it to 9.3X62. Packy

I would love a 9.3x62, not likely that I would do that with rifle though. I expect it will remain as-is.

I intend to use it for stalking deer/elk in the timber and spot and stalk black bear.

Several people have suggested it would be possible to build some handloads specifically for the M-98, and that it ought to be okay to add a grain or two of powder to get it up to the same velocity as the M-700. BUT the obvious problem is mixing up the M-700 and M-98 handloads, so I don't think I'll do that.

I think I'll just shoot the hell out of it.

All matching numbers, if you had the stock to go with it, it'd be worth in the area of $800 USD. Too bad it wasn't in the original military config.

Every rifle is a little different. Before you get digging into finding a load for it, simply take a close look at the crown and first inch inside the muzzle. Not all German troopers were fastidious about cleaning from the breech end. If the rifling is worn or slightly damaged at the muzzle, you could consider having it reamed to just clean up the messy rifling.