The Accurate Reloading Forums
Older Custom Sporters on the Mauser action.
05 June 2007, 07:27
Michael PetrovOlder Custom Sporters on the Mauser action.
I Posted some classic custom sporters in a different thread made on the 1903 Springfield action so I thought I would do a few that used the Mauser action.
The first commercial 30-06 bolt action rifle offered in the USA was from Sauer & Son, Suhl, German around 1910.
This Sauer & Son Mauser was made in 1911 in caliber 30-06, short rifle with 20" barrel. I incorrectly identified this as a military Mauser action in my book, it’s not. These were expensive rifles in their day costing $50 when at the same time a Winchester 94 was $12.
05 June 2007, 08:53
HerrMesserThat is one fine looking mauser. But then I am a big fan of mausers.
Rad
NRA Benefactor Member
05 June 2007, 09:42
craigsterThanks for the pictures, Michael. When it comes to firearms, there is almost nothing more pleasing to my eyes than an early custom Springfield or Mauser rifle. If only they could speak.
05 June 2007, 10:31
daleatkinsOh God, I'm gonna love this thread.
Thanks for the pictue Michael. Is that the same Sauer as JP Sauer SXS shot guns?
What is the tube under the barrel?
Rick
I'm going to like this thread
Terry
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Well, other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?
05 June 2007, 12:06
Bent FossdalI am really enjoying your picks of theese old customguns, Mr Petrov! Keep them coming!!
Bent Fossdal
Reiso
5685 Uggdal
Norway
Michael,
Beautiful rifle!!! I LOVE it.
Something special about old Mauser sporters that make me smile.
And, the double set triggers are a turn on.
My step Dad had a 257 Roberts built on a Mauser Model 98 action right after WW II, and he had double set triggers on it.
Your pictures are a BIG plus on this Forum. I look forward to seeing them when I log in...
Thanks for posting that picture of a classic Mauser sporter.
Don
I'm not much of a bolt action fan so I don't understand why anyone would put those big cheeks on a forearm. Did they serve a purpose?
It is interesting how such a plain piece of wood can look so attractive though. The finish is simple and beautiful. That stick used with some of the common finishes today might look pretty boring.
Brent
When there is lead in the air, there is hope in my heart -- MWH ~1996
05 June 2007, 17:30
brayhavenquote:
Originally posted by Brent:
I'm not much of a bolt action fan so I don't understand why anyone would put those big cheeks on a forearm. Did they serve a purpose?
It is interesting how such a plain piece of wood can look so attractive though. The finish is simple and beautiful. That stick used with some of the common finishes today might look pretty boring.
Brent
Those "cheeks" ( I think you're referring to) are to beef up the thin wood in the magazine & recoil lug area of the stock.
"You can lead a horticulture, ... but you can't make 'er think" Florida Gardener
Greg, then would the rest of the stock be especially thin relative to a "normal" stock? A .30-06 should not take a lot of beef I would think.
If the rest of the stock is thinner then I can see the functionality being a lighter rifle which makes sense. Form with function is more attractive than just simply adding geometric designs for the heck of it.
Brent
When there is lead in the air, there is hope in my heart -- MWH ~1996
Mike
beautiful rifle. I really like the style.
Rich
quote:
Originally posted by Brent:
It is interesting how such a plain piece of wood can look so attractive though. The finish is simple and beautiful. That stick used with some of the common finishes today might look pretty boring.
Brent
I think a lot of that is because they used stain in the old day's which is looked down on today.
Terry
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Well, other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?
05 June 2007, 19:38
Michael RobinsonVery nice rifle. Strange to see such a short barrel, although the proportions are not out of whack. Very slim and trim.
The side panels are a strengthening feature. But it is doubtful that they are necessary. I think these days they are purely stylistic.
Mike
Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer.
quote:
Originally posted by TC1:
quote:
Originally posted by Brent:
It is interesting how such a plain piece of wood can look so attractive though. The finish is simple and beautiful. That stick used with some of the common finishes today might look pretty boring.
Brent
I think a lot of that is because they used stain in the old day's which is looked down on today.
Terry
I was thinking it might be oxidation and natural deepening of the color and finish that occurs with most woods over time. Maybe it was stain, but I don't think you can make a new stock look like that with stain. Maybe so though. Anyway, the new urethane/epoxy finishes can never reach this look in a life time. But that one makes plain-jane grade wood look mighty fine.
Brent
When there is lead in the air, there is hope in my heart -- MWH ~1996
Sure you can. A little stain on the wood, a contrasting grain filler and you're well on your way. I agree the aged finish does give it sort of a glow.
Terry
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Well, other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?
05 June 2007, 21:18
riverman1TC1,
Please explain... contrasting grain filler. I am finnishing a stock right now and I love that look.
I use 3 parts rottonstone to 1 part boneblack. Mix that with the finish and make a mud with it. Rub it in the grain. When it dries (about 24 hours) wet sand and repeat as necessary till the grain is full. You could also just use sanding dust from a piece of ebony wood.
Here is another I've done this way. This one has some figure.
Terry
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Well, other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?
05 June 2007, 22:26
Michael PetrovMauser also offered a 30-06 early on, I think about 1909 although I’ve yet to see one this early.
J.P. Sauer & Son was (is) a long time gunmaker and yes they make shotguns.
The side panels were part of the “Suhl†look which gunmakers in Germany adapted somewhere back in the 1880’s or before and never changed much until after WWII.
Wundhammer who trained in Germany made his first dozen bolt rifles with the panel but was soon dropped.
There is no tube under the barrel, the barrel is a half-round half-octagon with an integral rib.
This is a Fred Adolph, New York custom built on a K (Kurz) action. It’s marked “Adolph Mauser Cal. 25†but it’s a 6.5 x 54K.
Here's one by Edgar Kiess of Suhl. Barrel marked 341
and one with a barrel marked 118/35. Maker unknown.
06 June 2007, 01:24
El DeguelloI'll just bet that Sauer '06 will give you one hell of a belt on the cheekbone when it comes back (and UP!!).
"J.P. Sauer & Son was (is) a long time gunmaker and yes they make shotguns."
And SXS double rifles!
"Bitte, trinks du nicht das Wasser. Dahin haben die Kuhen gesheissen."
06 June 2007, 01:35
Michael PetrovA friend saw a interesting rifle built on a military action at an east coast gunshow and told me about it. It was interesting to me because it had a mail order Winchester 95 barrel with a mint bore and a Lyman 35 sight. When it arrived it was good news, bad news, the rifle was made by Seymour R. Griffin before Griffin & Howe and the rifle was broken in two pieces.
06 June 2007, 02:20
Prewar70You should really warn people before posting a picture like this, i.e., graphic, not for the faint of heart, etc.
06 June 2007, 02:40
Marc_Stokeldbroken or not, that is a wonderful rifle and very significant in its origins. Do you have any more pics of it? Any custom maker in the US today should find that rifle to be a real gem!
Has it been repaired yet? If it were mine, that is a repair that I think I would not do myself, and I do evrything on my and my customer's guns. I would send it to Travallion and let the wildman work his magic.
I sure would love to handle that rifle and get the feel of her, as well as closely studying her lines
Have you ever thought of doing a "classic custom gunshow?"
06 June 2007, 02:47
Michael Petrovquote:
Originally posted by Marc_Stokeld:
Have you ever thought of doing a "classic custom gunshow?"
Marc, your right in the middle of it
. MP
Like all gunmakers there was an evolution to S.R. Griffins work, he made stocks for over ten years before starting G&H.
06 June 2007, 02:52
Michael PetrovIt was time to get a professional involved so I sent it to Robert Fulton in WY. He did a great job but was a little handicapped because I did not want him to remove any of the original finish or do any refinishing. I have over time tried to restore the finish around the repair and it’s getting better.
06 June 2007, 05:57
Blacktail53He did a marvelous job on a wonderful rifle !!
I want to thank you guys for a great thread and some really neat photos.
I've been haunting, Nitroexpress.com the last couple of evenings just to look at the fine old mausers and other great rifles they feature there.
At the few gun shows in our area, I spend my time rooting out the old timers. Mauser, BRNO's and their kin. They are more alive than any of the newer models and were made by men and women that knew what a firearm was supposed to feel, fit and function like. Unlike the assembly line offerings of today.
Don't be shy! Feed us some more pictures, please! BT
Elk, it's what's for dinner..
06 June 2007, 06:04
tin cana genuine feast for the eyes, thanks to all.
06 June 2007, 07:53
333_OKHWhere on earth do you get a good/high quality buttplate like this one!?!
06 June 2007, 09:34
Michael PetrovSorry I’m the wrong person to ask. I’m not very knowledgeable about who has or is making buttplates. I’m sure someone on this forum can answer your question.
06 June 2007, 09:35
Michael PetrovHoffman Arms Company started in 1923 the same year that G&H. Hoffman specialized in making sporters on the Mauser action where G&H started using mainly the 1903 Springfield. By 1925 G&H realized that many folks wanted the bigger cartridges so they too began using the Mauser actions regularly. This rifle is a late Ardmore Hoffman stocked by John Dubiel with a Howe-Whelen rear sight.
06 June 2007, 09:45
333_OKHquote:
Originally posted by Michael Petrov:
Hoffman Arms Company started in 1923 the same year that G&H. Hoffman specialized in making sporters on the Mauser action where G&H started using mainly the 1903 Springfield. By 1925 G&H realized that many folks wanted the bigger cartridges so they too began using the Mauser actions regularly. This rifle is a late Ardmore Hoffman stocked by John Dubiel with a Howe-Whelen rear sight.
[IMG]
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/mjpetrov/H6a.jpg[/IMG]
A strick work of art! What calibre?
06 June 2007, 10:49
ThaineMichael,
You warned us about this, but this is going to get me divorced! AND I AM NOT EVEN MARRIED! My significant other just doesn't understand how I can disappear into the computer room with a glass of George Dickels and spend an hour drooling over these pictures. I just tell her its Gun Porn sweetheart and it’s the best kind! Thanks again for the Springfield thread and I have a feeling this is going to be every bit as good.
Thaine
"Begging hands and bleeding hearts will always cry out for more..." Ayn Rand
"Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here, we might as well dance" Jeanne C. Stein
06 June 2007, 11:08
333_OKHquote:
George Dickels
No.12 or No.7?....No that it matters! Love that liquid of the gods myself!
06 June 2007, 11:19
Thaine12 is my favorite, although occasionaly a glass of Barrel Select slips in
Thaine
"Begging hands and bleeding hearts will always cry out for more..." Ayn Rand
"Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here, we might as well dance" Jeanne C. Stein
07 June 2007, 01:05
Michael PetrovThe Hoffman is a 30-06.
This Griffin & Howe is a 7mm (7x57) the side mount base is a Noske, the rear sight is Lyman 103 with windage. When G&H started using blocks of numbers for calibers the first 7mm was 251, the number of this rifle. Mr Kornbrath engraved a fox chasing a goose on the floorplate.
07 June 2007, 03:04
seafire/B17Gquote:
Originally posted by Michael Petrov:
Mauser also offered a 30-06 early on, I think about 1909 although I’ve yet to see one this early.
J.P. Sauer & Son was (is) a long time gunmaker and yes they make shotguns.
The side panels were part of the “Suhl†look which gunmakers in Germany adapted somewhere back in the 1880’s or before and never changed much until after WWII.
Wundhammer who trained in Germany made his first dozen bolt rifles with the panel but was soon dropped.
There is no tube under the barrel, the barrel is a half-round half-octagon with an integral rib.
This is a Fred Adolph, New York custom built on a K (Kurz) action. It’s marked “Adolph Mauser Cal. 25†but it’s a 6.5 x 54K.
I love this one over the first one posted!
But Mausers and Springfields.... even Enfield Pattern 14s and 17s are wonderful rifles...
Those things were built as stout as a 53 Buick!
07 June 2007, 03:52
1 Shot HunterIs the barrel pin in the forend functional?
07 June 2007, 04:14
Michael Petrovquote:
Originally posted by 1 Shot Hunter:
Is the barrel pin in the forend functional?
Yes, the barrel wedge goes into a tenon mounted on the underside of the barrel. A cautionary note here. Many wedges on rifle, pistol or shotgun have a keeper screw or pin so the wedge won’t be lost. Be very careful that you do not try to drive a wedge all the way out, only far enough to remove the barrel or you will split the wood.
As a general rule a German trained gunmaker will put the wedge in from the right where an English one will do it from the left.
07 June 2007, 04:44
1 Shot HunterIsn't it redundant? Did gun makers of the time do it to replicate the barrel bands of the military arms?
(edit: I'm not trying to hijack the thread, sorry!)