Here are some photos of the Mauser I just picked up mentioned earlier. I can not find anything about it and hope someone here can help. The Walther "banner" shown is also on each button of the Greener style safety. The only marking I can find on the action is "MADE IN GERMANY" with what looks like a proof mark of perhaps a bird with wings open with an N under it. The same "proof mark" is on the side of the barrel where it meets the action with an additional stamp that looks like an elk/stag antler. The serial number (32XX) and "7X57" are also stamped nearby. The barrel is 60 cm, the stock is serial numbered to the barrel and the rifle, sans scope mounts, weighs 6# 10 oz. The bore appear new. Here's the photos I took, any help is appreciated.

That is really nice. I really like those stalking safeties. I wonder if it is in any way related to the present Lothar Walther?

Congrats & Enjoy

Very nice find! I also like that type safety.

Boxhead, beautiful rifle!! The only thing that would make it look nicer, would be to view it in my safe!!!

It is Walther the pistol company and I have seen these a couple of times on Guns America, but know nothing of them.

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Originally posted by 333_OKH:
It is Walther the pistol company and I have seen these a couple of times on Guns America, but know nothing of them.

A great number of military Mausers were rebarreled and restocked in the late 1940's and 1950's by various German gunmaking firms. Tons of these were sold to U.S. personnel stationed in Germany, mostly via the Army & Airforce Exchange Service and through the many German-American Rod & Gun Clubs that existed at most US military installations in Germany. There were also Mannlicher-Schoenauers and Browning Superposed shotguns sold there in those days. In 1956, I could buy a new Mann/Schoen. at the Rod & Gun Club at Erding AF Station (about 20 mi. SE of Munich) for $120.00. A Model 70 in .458 Win. cost $75.00!

I think this rifle is one of those redone military Mausers. If you take the front scope mount base off, there may be a clue underneath. But any markings may have been polished off, too. Many were "engraved", and the engraving quality ran from excellent to abysmal!

El Deguello hints at a "cigarette rifle" which is also what I was thinking. Quality also ranges from amazing to abysmal, your lies way towards the better end.

As before, very nice rifle and great find. BTW most I have seen and owned were also 8x57 with reprofiled military barrels.

Todd

Walther Ulm/Do is located in the German town of Ulm on the Danube river. Fritz Walter the owner was given permission to open his factory in Ulm by the allies in 1950 for the manufacture of air rifles. Most German companies were not allowed to make firearms until 1952 when the ban was lifted. Your rifle is a Model “Bâ€.

The antler is the proofmark of the Ulm proofhouse introduced in 1952.

I'm going to show my ignorance and pose a question here "what is a stalking safety"? Is that the button going horizontally through the wrist? How does it work? Does the firing pin safety stay in the "off" position when using the other safety? OK, four questions.

Ulm/Do stands for Ulm on the Donau, which is the German portion of the Danube river. The antler was used by the Oberndorf proof house before 1945, and by the Ulm proof house after 1945.

Stalking safeties only block the trigger or sear, not the firing pin. They are used during the final "silent" stages of a stalk, when movement is limited. The firing pin "wing" safety is left off, and stalking safety is applied until you are ready for the shot.

Your rifle is a beautiful example of an early post war sporter, when the German gun trade was trying to get back on its feet. Other makers doing the same were Heym and Walter Roll.

Thanks a bunch gents. Any idea where I an read more on the rifle?

"Walter Pistols & Rifles" by W.H.B. Smith Stackpole, need the 1962 edition for the rifles.

"Buxton's Guide Foreign Fireamms" 1963.

you can also look for the books on barnes & noble. they have a used book division

quote:

Most German companies were not allowed to make firearms until 1952 when the ban was lifted. Your rifle is a Model “Bâ€.

The antler is the proofmark of the Ulm proofhouse introduced in 1952.

Michael

Are the Bausch & Lomb bases just a U.S. option add on or was this something that was somewhat popular in 1952 over there?

quote:

Originally posted by Idared:

quote:

Most German companies were not allowed to make firearms until 1952 when the ban was lifted. Your rifle is a Model “Bâ€.

The antler is the proofmark of the Ulm proofhouse introduced in 1952.

Michael

Are the Bausch & Lomb bases just a U.S. option add on or was this something that was somewhat popular in 1952 over there?

I never saw a German sporter made on the Mauser action with a B&L scope mount on it. Mostly, the Redfield Jr. was used, but a few of the high-grade ones had some version of the claw mount, especially the earlier ones. At the time I was there (1956-57), the German scope manufacturers were starting to make their scopes with internal windage & elevation adjustments, and no longer had to rely on mounts with built-in adjustments like the B&L......

quote:

Originally posted by Idared:

quote:

Most German companies were not allowed to make firearms until 1952 when the ban was lifted. Your rifle is a Model “Bâ€.

The antler is the proofmark of the Ulm proofhouse introduced in 1952.

Michael

Are the Bausch & Lomb bases just a U.S. option add on or was this something that was somewhat popular in 1952 over there?

There is no information that they were ever sold with scopes. This would have been an export rifle for sale in the States through Interarmco Ltd. Alexandria, VA. In 1963 it sold here for $189.50.

Thanks for all of the help gents. I purchased the subject rifle in Canada with a bad 4X B&L mounted. With the mounts removed the rifle was clearly D'd & T'd later. I shot it yesterday with factory Federal loads (I can't find brass up here!) and with a few taps of the rear sight to the left it was dead on at 100 yards. I backed off to 200 yards, flipped up the 200 yard blade and the bullets landed appropriately. This years deer rifle for sure.

The rifle is a nice companion to by pre-war J.P. Sauer Mauser. I found this one in West Texas with a bad barrel and cracked stock, but is was cheap. A little stock repair and glass bed and a rebore to 35 Whelen and she shoots as good as new. I need to find a rear sight for her though. Not a typical dovetail...