Here is a video I shot with c&rsenal.com a couple of weeks ago. Please disregard my bald, fat, short ass! Constructive criticism gratefully accepted.

http://candrsenal.com/


Bob
www.rustblue.com

Very nice; the video is 54 minutes; in reality it takes about 5.4 minutes in total work time, for those who are scared to do it. Not including the rusting part of course.

Glad I found this post. I just picked up one of the 1916's that were converted to 7.62x51 back in the 60's for the Guarda Civil a couple of weeks ago.

Its a parts gun, and in horrible condition overall, but the action is still in pretty good shape and the bore is decent.

I wasnt really sure what I was going to do with it, but I figured for $100 I really couldnt go wrong...

After seeing this I think I'll try to give restoring it a go and see how things turn out..

Be careful ! These barrels were bored and then a 30 cal rifled insert was soldered in . Sometimes gaps cracks occurred resulting in major failure. If you have a Borescope check locking lugs for ANY setback , if it's ok , I would strongly suggest finding a 7 x57 barrel .
I've got numerous 308 1916 barrels showing the flaws . Also look up Jerry Knudsen book on Mausers , he goes into greater detail and warnings .

Yeah; do not shoot any Spanish Masuer made for 7.62. They were made for the CETME 7.62 which operates at very low pressure; NOT the Nato cartridge. I know, some say different; but the Spanish weren't that stupid.
7mm ONLY.

I was actually thinking about taking it back to 7mm since it's a parts gun anyway. I really bought it more for a fun project piece rather than a shooter. The truth is no matter what caliber it ends up it probably won't get more than 20 rounds through it for as long as I own it..

I just couldn't let it sit and continue to rot and rust at the price the owner was asking. If nothing else it'll get some rust knocked off it, have a little repair work done to the wood, take a nice oil bath, and then become a safe queen for the next 20 years...

Cool how to video, interesting site too.