Fellows,

Following are photos of my original Ooberndorf Model M Mauser sporting rifle with what may be a factory mounted Gerard scope. This would be a Mauser catalog item number 271as described in Jon Speed's book "Original Oberndorf Sporting Rifles" on page 158.

Jon describes the model M sporting rifles on pages 155 through 158. The model M is a Mannlicher style/stocked rifle.

Serial number places production of this rifle in the 1922/1923 time period.

This rifle was made for export to the US as indicated by the word "Germany" on the magazine floor plate and caliber. Caliber is 7.6S US 1906 or, as we know it, .30-'06. The S in 7.6S is for spitzer. As indicated previously the rifle is Mannlicher stocked. It has a checkered forearm and pistol grip. The hinged magazine floor plate release is a button in the trigger guard bow. Trigger is a double, set trigger. Bolt handle is a "spoon" type with serrations on the underside. Sights are one standing and two folding marked 100, 200 and 300. The front sight has a hood which is not shown in Speed's book. Butt plate is steel with the Mauser logo and a trap for cleaning rod storage. It came with a nice leather sling.

The numbers on the barrel under the wood, 7,6 . 7,85 . 250, indicate a 7.6MM (.299”) land diameter, a 7.85MM (.309”) with a twist rate of one turn in 250MM (9.842”). The 178, 28 is the bore size in gauge which equals .300 or .30 caliber.

I don't know what the magnification of the scope is. The only markings on it are Gerard with a K over the name. The optics are clear. Mounts are a quick release type but are not the typical claw mount. This is the information Alex Eichendorff provided me several years ago on the scope mount.
“By the way, the type of scope mount on your 30-06 M-Mauser is callled a " Berliner Montage" or "Reichswehrmontage" over here. In the 1920s it was used by the Reichswehr or 100 000 man army on sniper Kar98Bs for a time.
Waidmannsheil!
Axel Eichendorff aka kuduae”

I would rate the overall condition as VG.

Vlad