Pre war Mauser full stock sporter

I just saw this rifle while doing a web search and thought I'd post it here. Any views on the design of the front end from the experts here would be very welcome.

Thanks and good hunting!

The 3/4 length stock was used on the African model, with about a 26" barrel. It was supposed to have a rugged military appearance.

Yes, that is what's called an African model. A friend has one very similar that is missing the short forend piece ahead of the 45 degree cut, bought it for the "buy it now" price of $250 on GunBroker, there were no other bidders.

Wow, beautiful rifle...

CHERRY!

Galzans is one street over in my old home town from the East Side Resturant. It would take seventy nights at the East Side to pay for that rifle. What to do? Both?

The East Side

If you have a fast connection click on Ticki Tocki at the bottom of the page and see our friend Nick doing the big beer cheer.

I don't think that rifle is an "African" model. I have seen two "African" models, a 10.75x68 and a .404 Jeffery, and they differ from this rifle. The original "Africans" did have a long stock that left app. 6-8" of barrel showing but they had a Schnabel tip not a metal capped fore end. Barrel length is about 27" on the original "African".

Also, the originals had iron sights only, I believe. The 10.75 I saw had single standing and 1 leaf and the .404 had a single standing, 2 or 3 folding leaves and a small ladder type longe range sight in front of the folding leaves.

The 10.75 was an Oberndorf and the .404 was a W.J. Jeffery. The "African" model was offered by Oberndorf, Rigby and Jeffery, I believe.

The ones I saw had single triggers.

I don't have a copy of Jon Speed's book on sporting Mausers, but if anyone has a copy please look up the serial number of this rifle. It is on the hanging tag and looks to be # 117550. A list of serial numbers is located toward the end of the book.

This rifle appears to be a more deluxe version that the "African" model.

If I can get a hold of Speed's book, I will post my findings.

Regards,

RCG

Thanks for all the comments.

RCG,

Thanks and I shall look forward to hearing from you,

Good hunting, gentlemen,

RCG,
I think you are right.

SN 117550 is from 1936-1937. That specific serial number is not listed on page 453 of Speed et al.

Page 413 shows good photos of: Three "Special African Model" Mausers.

SN 117550 is not a "Special Range Rifle." It is not a "Special African Model."

The ad says it is a "Special Order." One of a Kind.

1)Look at the spoon-shaped bolt handle.
2)Note the buttplate trap for cleaning kit.
These are distinguishing characteristics of the Model M Carbine, "the Mauser company's idea of what a light mountain carbine should look like."

Of course, this rifle has a 25" instead of a 20" barrel, and it has the great German claw mounts.

The 20" Model M's weighed only 7 pounds and were for "the serious mountain hunter." All the Model M variations (pattern nuumbers: 270, 271, 272, 274, 276) were offered in this 8x60mm chambering.

Special.

Forrest, it is justice that you miss a gem at a giveaway price once in a while. But a friend of yours has to end up with it?????? Why is that? Do you have some kind of armory bargain radar in place?

It's fine except for that abortion of a magazine box opening lever on the floorplate! If you take it hunting, somethig is always opening your magazine and dumping the rounds in the mud! That's the first thing I remove from Kraut Mauser sporters!

RIP:

Thanks for the Speed book info.

RCG

Chic, obviously he saw it before I did (he watches the gun sites constantly it seems, scalps lots of good deals). It had been posted for about 15 minutes when he saw it and immediately clicked on "buy it now" which was $250! It was described as "unknown military rife" and the seller (a pawnshop) obviously didn't know what they had. Was in excellent condition too, only thing wrong was the missing forend piece and cap. My friend is a big time Mauser collector, has owned some very rare pieces, but he turned around and sold it for somewhere around $2500 I think.

I had one of those in a 9.3x62 at one time, it was a handsome rifle and my first 9.3x62, got a lot of ammo with it, shot some buff with it but it didn't fair well as the bullets were not good.....Wish I still had it, but I traded it to a crook for a new saddle (he was a saddle maker) and 5 years later and a come to Jesus converstation in the middle of the Shoshone Indian rservation, I got my saddle less the stirrups but hey by then I was grateful to get that.