Mauser 8mm

[gunsnboobs]

Dug out my dads old hunting rifle years after he passed and now figured out it's a Mauser 8mm. Did a little research and it seems there are 2 or 3 possible cartridges that can work in this. Anyone know an FFL in town who can check this thing out for me and answer questions, ammo, value? NW part of the valley but I'll drive wherever.

I took it to a couple places 10 years ago before I found the tag in the case and got 2 different answers, one guy told me something about 308(I wrote a quick note and put it in with the rifles in the case). The second guy told me the strap on the rifle was worth more than the rifle itself. Both gave me bad vibes, 2nd guy asked if I wanted to sell it. I've never bought any ammo for it but I think it's time to dust it off and see if its worth keeping.

Thx in advance

[Solar_Empire]

Well this is a forum. If you post a couple pictures of receiver markings and such you could probably get some answers for free.

[gunsnboobs]

As you can see in the one pic Model 98

Only 2 other markings. Serial numbers marked a few place, 4 numbers.

Then "AVK 6441 bys" across the barrel under the front of the scope. If there's anything else with this set it's under the stock.

My dad was WWII so I'm guessing that's where it came from. I don't mind taking it to a dealer even if I have to pay a couple bucks, I would prob buy or order ammo when there.

[Solar_Empire]

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[effjaybay]

The second picture is a bit blurry but I think I can see that it's a stepped or military barrel. It's very likely that it's chambered in 8mm Mauser. Get some cerrosafe, plug the barrel, and pour the melted cerrosafe into the chamber. Knock it out and measure the cast.

[gunsnboobs]

The second picture is a bit blurry but I think I can see that it's a stepped or military barrel. It's very likely that it's chambered in 8mm Mauser. Get some cerrosafe, plug the barrel, and pour the melted cerrosafe into the chamber. Knock it out and measure the cast.

I know it's 8mm or 7.92×57mm but I've found there is 7.92×57mm and 7.92×57mm JS,

[Solar_Empire]

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[AZ_Five56]

I just did a quick search out of curiosity, and it looks lit the JS is also a higher pressure round. I don't know if it's a drastic difference, but you'd definitely want to make sure your rifle was rated for the ammo you're looking to shoot.

Have you taken the stock off? I'm wondering if there are more markings on the receiver or the bottom of the barrel.

[effjaybay]

The second picture is a bit blurry but I think I can see that it's a stepped or military barrel. It's very likely that it's chambered in 8mm Mauser. Get some cerrosafe, plug the barrel, and pour the melted cerrosafe into the chamber. Knock it out and measure the cast.

I know it's 8mm or 7.92×57mm but I've found there is 7.92×57mm and 7.92×57mm JS,

I just mentioned 8mm Mauser because you said you had a note with the rifle that said .308. 8mm is a lil bigger than that. The 8mm J or I (.318) was designed for earlier rifles like the Gewer 88 commission rifle. Your rifle can fire both that one and the .323.

[gunsnboobs]

I just did a quick search out of curiosity, and it looks lit the JS is also a higher pressure round. I don't know if it's a drastic difference, but you'd definitely want to make sure your rifle was rated for the ammo you're looking to shoot.

Have you taken the stock off? I'm wondering if there are more markings on the receiver or the bottom of the barrel.

No I haven't taken the stock off yet, just recently pulled it out of the closet(no it's not gay).

I read something similar in my research about the difference in rounds that's why I won't buy anything until I'm sure.

[gunsnboobs]

The second picture is a bit blurry but I think I can see that it's a stepped or military barrel. It's very likely that it's chambered in 8mm Mauser. Get some cerrosafe, plug the barrel, and pour the melted cerrosafe into the chamber. Knock it out and measure the cast.

I know it's 8mm or 7.92×57mm but I've found there is 7.92×57mm and 7.92×57mm JS,

I just mentioned 8mm Mauser because you said you had a note with the rifle that said .308. 8mm is a lil bigger than that. The 8mm J or I (.318) was designed for earlier rifles like the Gewer 88 commission rifle. Your rifle can fire both that one and the .323.

Yeah the first FFl I took it to many years ago said .308 but I never did anything more. I'm the one who wrote the 308 note and put it in the case/pouch just for reference. A few weeks ago when I pulled the rifle out and started checking again I noticed a tag my dad obviously put in the pouch that I had not seen before. It said Mauser 8mm and his name. Since I started reading that's where I found out about a couple different possibilities of rounds and like a dumbass I didn't save the web pages I read.

[Lobo2087]

Are there any stamps to the chamber end of the barrel?

[gunsnboobs]

Are there any stamps to the chamber end of the barrel?

It Has the serial number and an eagle insignia stamped several places around the chamber end of the barrel, serial number again on top of the bolt and underneath in the trigger area. I googled the serial number (4 numbers) with the last number off by one(typo) and a gun came up dating 1944 and the same eagle insignias stamped around the gun with supposedly a swastika but I couldn't make out a swastika in the pics posted so ...?. The price that gun sold for was blurred out.

Then I googled the exact serial number but I cant find anything from that. So many of these sites want you to create a profile to see info,getting sick of that. I would rather just take it to someone and find out what I have.

[Harrier]

The receiver is marked as a 98. The German army used the Mauser 98 as their standard issue rifle. You say there are eagle stamps, which sound like the German army acceptance mark (there should be a circle and swastika held by the claws if it was made during their rein of power otherwise may be just an eagle). The 4 digit number is probably an assembly number. The important thing is that the bolt matches the receiver. Someone mentioned the barrel is stepped, this is normal for the 8mm Mauser and if so indicates it wouldn't have been re chambered to 308 because the bore is larger than 30 cal and wouldn't be accurate. Many of these war relics were customized into hunting rifles, such as yours appears to be. 8x57 (rimless) should be the correct cartridge unless the rifle was modified and in the case of 308 would have to have had a new barrel installed (and wouldn't be stepped). The JS is only a designation for Infantry Spitzer (pointed FMJ used by the army) so I wouldn't worry about that being a different cartridge. You don't want the rimmed version of 8x57 however.
This info is free and worth every penny...

[Lobo2087]

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