I was pawn shop crawling earlier today and came across a sporterized Mauser.
The left side of the receiver is stamped Mod 98. The bolt looks original as does the safety but the bolt handle may have been altered. I really can't tell by the short look I had.
The barrel has been changed. The only markings I can find is "Evans" either engraved or stamped on the barrel near the rear. It looks like a professional mark and was in script- I think. It wasn't block stamped. There is no front sight and no marks where it looks as if someone removed it. The barrel itself is a sporter contour- not a cut down military barrel. There is some bluing loss from wear but no dings.
It is in an aftermarket stock. The inletting looks very good. I couldn't see a gap between the wood and metal. It has a Monte Carlo comb and has a pretty good oil finish.
It has been drilled and tapped and has an older Weaver K4 duplex scope on it in what I believe are medium ring. The scope is clear and bright. I am kind of partial to older Weaver scopes so this is a plus.
I could not find a serial number anywhere. I couldn't see the top of the receiver bridge very well due to the scope mount but I didn't see any stamps there.
The real puzzler is that the caliber is not marked on the barrel. As a wild guess it looks to be near a .30 caliber but could be a .270. It doesn't look like an 8mm, but I had nothing to measure it with. The pawn shop has it marked as unknown caliber.
I am guessing that the only way to determine the caliber is a chamber casting- right?

I can probably get this rifle fairly cheap. They aren't comfortable selling it without knowing the caliber, but I know the manager and he knows that I collect these rifles and know better than to just load a round and try it. They have it priced at $159.99, but on Monday when I talk to the manager I will definately talk him down. The saleman today told me he would probably deal on it to get it out of the inventory.

Ideas?

Jim

A small hole gauge will tell you the caliber.....what chambering is another issue and if yu can do a chamber cast then go for it....if not you can narrow it down quickly by measuring the bolt face.....if it's for a .473 case head that tells you something......and if the barrel mikes .277 that pretty much tells you all you need to know.....same for .284.....if a .280 Rem shell fits it.....if not and a 7 X 57 fits it......

If it's an "Ackleyed" gun one should still be able to shoot the parent ammo in it.....

As to the price.....for $150 all one has to do is salvage the stock and you have a deal!!!

The barrel will sell for $50 easily if it's useable at all......and the action should bring another $100 or so....I don't see how you can go too wrong here.

I will be getting it tomorrow if he will deal at all. He usually does, especially with something weird like this. They sound very uncomfortable having a rifle in an unknown caliber. Apparently they are afraid of liability if someone just puts a 30-06 in to try and see what happens. Unfortunalely there are people like that out there.
I'll post again after I get it and take it apart to look for more info stamped on it.

BTW I will buy it to shoot, not sell parts and make money on. It is good to know that it is a bargain though.

Jim

That's a pretty good gig for aspiring gunsmiths. Contact the local pawn shops and offer to perform a safety inspection and caliber verification on their guns before they are sold. That would go a long way in reducing the potential liability concerns over a store that doesn't provide the service, which would be a draw, and would give them a leg up over the competition.

If you could offer this service, just be sure to not make a mistake as you would be opening yourself and the other shop to a possible liability case if you are ever wrong.

I don't want to help anyone else get a bargain. I want to get them myself.
I have developed a habit of passing up a rifle unless I get a really good deal on it. My last trade was 2 TC Hawken muzzleloaders that I had a total of $170.00 in for a Remington M700 PSS .308. Both Hawkens came out of pawn shops- one was $70.00 out the door and the other was $100.00 OTD.

Jim

15 years ago, I practiced on my gunsmithing by making offers in pawn shops on guns that needed work.

I am not that good a gunsmith, but I do well negotiating money. I mostly paid 50% of asking price, by listing all the things wrong with the gun.


What could be more fun than bringing home a gun and taking it apart?

quote:

Originally posted by tnekkcc:

What could be more fun than bringing home a gun and taking it apart?

Taking it to the range and shooting it comes to mind.

I haven't been in a pawnshop in years and found a deal on a rifle. Most of those guys aren't stupid or they wouldn't be in business.
Butch

I bought 2 pre-'64 model 70s today, both 30-06, both with scopes and decent stocks, one made in '51 and one in '52, from a pawn shop for $600 each. So I guess there are some deals to be had once in a while