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Lobo2087 wrote: ↑June 27th, 2020, 3:50 pm
Harrier is correct. From your description it sounds as if you have a ww2 8mm bring back someone sported into a hunting rifle.
Value maybe 250 - 350 as a hunting rifle to the right person but since it was your fathers' rifle its likely worth a bank to you
Just saw you are in sun city area, i mess with a lot of military surplus. Can look at it if you want, im in surprise
I might take you up on that. I went on the Mauser website and their site had one dealer they listed on their site in AZ, Mad Dog Guns in scottsdale. I emailed him with the info and he told me to contact Mauser direct, he couldn't help me. I emailed Mauser this afternoon so hopefully I can get some info on manufacture date or anything else. I doubt the gun would be very valuable but wouldn't mind finding out.
I know it's at least 50 years old because he had it when I was in grade school. Heck, he could have even got it from my grandfather, he was strong German. Just more curiosity than sentimental value, it's very well used. My dad was a cheap ass and never would have intentionally spent a lot of money on a gun. I'll at the very least get some ammo for it and see how it shoots.
I agree with Jager, for the time period that is a pretty decent conversion. I don't know what the light area is on the forend... repair? damage? and I can't tell what scope is on it, but it looks pretty good considering what others did back in the day...
Harrier wrote: ↑June 28th, 2020, 3:34 pm
I agree with Jager, for the time period that is a pretty decent conversion. I don't know what the light area is on the forend... repair? damage? and I can't tell what scope is on it, but it looks pretty good considering what others did back in the day...
The light colored area is some sort of tape residue, knowing my dad probably masking tape, no idea why
Jager wrote: ↑June 28th, 2020, 5:19 pm
If the barrel is original - and it looks like this one is because of the stampings and proof marks, it's chambered in 7.92x57mm (8mm Mauser). As others have said, it's been 'sporterized', which mitigates it's value to collectors - but actually makes it more aesthetically appealing. However, it appears many were upgraded to fire more powerful ammunition...
Admittedly, I wasn't aware of the "JS" suffix for ammunition versus the "JR". Definitely want to know which you're chambered/barreled for. That would have to be verified by someone other than me.
From Luckygunner:
"The 8mm Mauser cartridge was created by the German military in 1888 and continued to be used through World War II. The cartridge has been modified slightly over the years, which has caused confusion when trying to determine which variety of 8mm Mauser ammo works for your rifle.
The original 8mm Mauser cartridge featured a .318 diameter projectile, and today you can find a .318 diameter projectile in any ammo marked as 8x57 JR. The “R” stands for rimmed, as all of the available 8mm Mauser ammunition with .318 diameter projectiles are loaded into a rimmed case.
The most common version of 8mm Mauser ammo is the 8x57mm JS which is a centerfire, rimless, bottle-necked, .323 caliber rifle cartridge. In 1905, the German Military increased the bullet diameter from .318 to .323. Any 8mm Mauser ammo with an “S” features a .323 caliber bullet. If you are looking for ammunition for your surplus 8mm Turkish Mauser or German Mauser K98, you are looking for 8x57mm JS."
Yep, this is the reason I started this thread because of the difference in cartridges. That's why I was looking for an FFL who knows these Mausers and can tell me what I need. When we cleaned out Moms house years ago Dad had no ammunition what so ever so I'm blind here. Anybody got a suggestion on an FFL?
Typically a rimmed cartridge has to be stepped one in front of the other, single-stacked, when loaded into a magazine- look at the British Enfield or Russian Nagant or the Mauser 88 as an example.This type of magazine often protrudes below the stock. These cartridges were typically late 1880's and originally black powder.
OTOH, rimless cases can be stacked on top of each other and typically result in a side offset or staggered pattern and the fixed magazine is contained within the stock (doesn't protrude). Since the receiver says its a Model 98 I believe it has to be the rimless version.
The real question is if it has been re-chambered for another 8mm cartridge such as a belted magnum as was popular in the 50's and 60's- however, Dad being cheap as you mentioned, that probably wasn't the case as that was expensive back then and the 8x57 is powerful enough for any NA game unless your shooting mountaintop to mountaintop distances.
ETA... I don't think a rimmed cartridge would allow the bolt to close, but finding an empty, sized case may be tricky. A quick check would be to compare the bolt face diameter and configuration with specs- check out the SAMMI/CIP cartridge dims for standards... that would tell you how big the case head/rim is and a belted magnum would also be larger. Shining a light into the chamber would also show any step recess for a rimmed or belted case...
Don't sue me if I'm wrong, but I'd bet $10 on it...
In pursuing the caliber you may be missing the elephant in the room that is actually just as or more important.
Headspace. This must/should be checked on any older gun when you are not familiar with. It becomes more important with any mil-surp rifle that may have had parts moved around.
Any old school gunsmith dealing with bolt actions will have a headspace gauge for 8x57 and should be happy to do that for you. It's a simple thing and generally free of charge. Tell them you were told it is a 8x57 (which all the clues point to ) and he will tell you if it is not.
Simple .
Its a model 98 sporterized.
It was built for the .323 diameter projectile.
Any sane 8mm/7.92 mauser will be acceptable.
If it hasn't been rebarreled or re chambered.
The earlier rifles were marked GEW98 or Kar on the side rail. Yours says mod 98
So it's from after ww1
Last edited by 792mauser on June 29th, 2020, 4:54 pm, edited 2 times in total.
