One of the men in my church showed me a Modeal 98 Mauser this evening. It is a very nice custom rifle which I'd place as being made before WWII. It was broght home after WWII by his uncle. It had light engraving on the receiver; a very nice sight island with two blades; and had the military style ears and thumb cut-out for stripper clips. On the left hand side, it had what appeared to be:

St.M.G.Lt (the "G" had lost its top)
N 14,6 gr.

This was the only marking I noted on the rifle. The stock was a very slim, sporter with snabel fore-end and small cheek piece. It had the lovely "squared" panels on both sides of the receiver and magazine box. The pistol grip was like the vintage Browning A5's.

The front sight was a blade on a long ramp. There was a small front sling swivel soldered to the barrel which I'd place at about 23". My friend tells me its is chambered in 8x57MM.

Anyone have an ideal about what I was looking at. My friend mentioned having it tapped for modern mounts. I suggested that he hold off until we find out if it is one of those old rifles you shouldn't mess with.

If you have any informed opinions, I'd love to hear from you. Ku-dude

Stahl Mantel Geschoss (steel jacketed bullet).



Nitro (smokeless powder)



14,6 grams, bullet weight (226 grains)



This was the original bullet weight for the 8x57 Infanterie cartridge, which used a .318 bore.

This rifle may have a custom or commercial, gunsmith-made barrel bored for the "I" (J) cartridge, and may indeed be a .318" groove diameter. By all means slug the bore, and make a chamber cast, before it is ever fired with "S" bullets. ("S" bullets can be safely fired in ANY 8X57mm rifle, IF THE CASE MOUTH EXPANDS ENOUGH ON FIRING TO FREELY RELEASE THE BULLET!! However, a custom .318" barrel may not have a large enough diameter in the chamber neck portion to permit the case to expand enough! This is the reason for a chamber cast. Even if the owner does not intend to fire the rifle, it is nice to know such things about it.

I have a Mauser which is very similar. Does this one have octogon to round barrel with full length rib? Long ago I listed all the proof marks, etc, and Alf pronounced it a pre-WWI Sauer, which is fine with me. Mine had a shot out bore and bad head space, so I had Cliff LaBounty rebore it to 35 Whelan. If all else is OK, it sure is easier to find a source for .318 bullets, which is what I would have done if bore and headspace had been ok. Bob

This rifle's barrel is round all the way.

The etching is "rustic" very deeply traced, but looks "unprofessional" but nicely executed. Very interesting piece.

Thanks, and please keep the comments/observations coming. Ku-dude