I'm a little ignorant about this gun. It was my grandfathers and it got passed down to me. It is a G.H. Haenel Suhl 1917 8mm Mauser. It has been "sporterized" I think. It has a peep sight. On the barrel has scratches (underneath the blueing) on the outside like it's been poorly worked in a lathe. Can anyone give me any information on it? I've shot it a few times and it shoots really straight. Can this firearm be rechambered to anything larger? Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions.

Well, it is a former German military Gewehr 98, now sporterized and chambered for the 8x57 IS. Maybe not very attractive, but reliable, and useable for most North American game. Rechambering is possible (e.g. to the 8x60 S and 8x64 S), but neither necessary nor recommendable, since the 8x57 IS with proper loads is powerful enough as it is.

Best regards,
Carcano

Thanks! I appreciate your time in answering my questions. In order to put a scope on it, I have to have the bolt lengthened and some other work. Is it worth it to do this on this rifle?

quote:

Originally posted by medium:
Thanks! I appreciate your time in answering my questions. In order to put a scope on it, I have to have the bolt lengthened and some other work. Is it worth it to do this on this rifle?

I'am no expert but I don't think you will need to have the bolt lengthened for mounting a scope.You will almost certainally have to have the Handle Reworked (Bent) for mounting a scope on it.
The "Worth Doing" is up to you.

I guess I need some more information to help me determine "worth doing." (Sorry for all of the questions). Is this a pretty common rifle? Will I be devaluing the rifle at all by changing the bolt and adding a scope? Thanks again.

If it shoots straight I wouldn't mess with it. Scopes are over-rated when compared to a good apeture sight.

If you've got the itch to sporterize a Mauser there are many milsurps available for very little money (~$100).

quote:

Originally posted by DobleTroble:
If you've got the itch to sporterize a Mauser there are many milsurps available for very little money (~$100).

The gun in question *is* a sporterized milsurp Mauser.

Carcano

The question of "is it worth it" is truely a personnal one. The rifle is already sporterized so you will not be lowering its value. The real question involves one of sentimental value. As it stands it is the rifle your Grandfather used in the way he used it. Bending or replacing the bolt hand, mounting a scope, swapping safties, replacing the trigger are all things that are worth doing if they will make the rifle more usable for you. The rifle would still essentially be your grandfather's rifle. It just would no longer be set up as he used it. Either way it will definately provide years of enjoyment and some lasting memories.