| JJTrading |
| (.224 member) |
| 18/12/12 09:35 AM |
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The "other" Osa Johnson Mauser Type A Sporter
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Looking for any information on this rifle. It is an original Oberndorf Mauser Type A Sporting Rifle in 9.3x62 cal, serial number 105929. It is consecutively serial numbered to the "Osa Johnson Rifle" that has circulated on this board before, #105930. The gun is absolutely 100% identical to that gun in every regard, caliber, markings, stocks, buttpad, sling swivels, sights etc... I assume the two rifles must have an association, and would love to find more history on the gun. The Osa Johnson museum was unable to provide any further information on either rifle. Thanks,
-Dean
| A10ACN |
| (.300 member) |
| 18/12/12 11:48 AM |
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Re: The "other" Osa Johnson Mauser Type A Sporter
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So, do you have a connection to Osa Johnson? Or just the consecutive serial number? Charles Heyer & Co. was a retailer and they could have just ordered two identical rifles- one bought by the Johnsons.
| JJTrading |
| (.224 member) |
| 18/12/12 11:55 AM |
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Re: The "other" Osa Johnson Mauser Type A Sporter
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No direct connection, that's what I'm trying to find, if it exists. It just seems like a strange coincidence that of all the configurations, calibers and styles, that the guns are a identical matched pair, and consecutive.
-Dean
| Huvius |
| (.416 member) |
| 18/12/12 12:12 PM |
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Re: The "other" Osa Johnson Mauser Type A Sporter
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They are identical because they are both TypeA Mausers in 9.3X62.
It wouldn't be unusual for Heyer to order guns for stock in batches and the 9.3X62 was a very popular all around rifle for Africa in those days.
That is a very nice rifle indeed, even without any connection to Osa Johnson.
| 500Nitro |
| (.450 member) |
| 18/12/12 12:15 PM |
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Re: The "other" Osa Johnson Mauser Type A Sporter
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JJ
Not so (coincidence).
I've seen a number of English gun makers books with
identical guns following each other, especially if
they are pretty much standard stock guns and popular
guns of the day.
I think the same would apply to Mauser.
The fact that they had to send one gun out
makes it logical that they send more than one,
especially since they were a retailer and
the likely arrival of one would generate
a sale of the other.
.
| tophet1 |
| (.400 member) |
| 18/12/12 12:55 PM |
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Re: The "other" Osa Johnson Mauser Type A Sporter
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Osa would have bought hers 'off the rack' when outfitting the safari. This rifle was probably just sitting next to it, which was next to the next one etc ....
Remember, these were tools required to feed a camp staff of often 100+ souls. They had to be reliable and not much else. Any other attributes have been added with time as they enter the realm of 'sacred cows' of the Safari Industry.
Bloody good rifles none the less. Good buy.
| BFaucett |
| (.333 member) |
| 22/12/12 12:24 PM |
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Re: The "other" Osa Johnson Mauser Type A Sporter
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Quote:
Osa would have bought hers 'off the rack' when outfitting the safari. This rifle was probably just sitting next to it, which was next to the next one etc ....
That is also my best guess / opinion.
Cheers!
-Bob F.
NitroX
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| 07/02/22 03:51 PM |
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Re: The "other" Osa Johnson Mauser Type A Sporter
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Bttt for interest
| pjaln |
| (.375 member) |
| 11/02/22 02:41 PM |
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Re: The "other" Osa Johnson Mauser Type A Sporter
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type A mausers all look the same ,I had a type A Portuguese and it was a Charles heyer &co import typical type A type B mausers had more variants ....paul
| Rothhammer1 |
| (.400 member) |
| 11/02/22 06:15 PM |
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Re: The "other" Osa Johnson Mauser Type A Sporter
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Quote:
type A mausers all look the same ,I had a type A Portuguese and it was a Charles heyer &co import typical type A type B mausers had more variants ....paul
Stoeger, 1939:
| mckinney |
| (.400 member) |
| 12/02/22 12:58 PM |
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Re: The "other" Osa Johnson Mauser Type A Sporter
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Every gun made in a series has a mate that is only one serial number digit away. I would guess that 9 out of 10 times it doesn’t mean anything. But sometimes it does. A friend and I bought new Browning superposed lightning trap guns years ago and the consecutive serial numbers have kept both of us from selling. I refuse to break up the “pair”.
I’d think if there is a connection with Osa on the 9.3 it might be with a friend or someone in her party. You might check through old Nairobi Gazettes (someone help me with the name if this is not quite right). These have licensing and storage details that include serial numbers.
It’s a little like the mystery with Hemingway’s “10.75 Mauser”. Hemingway wrote a note to his friend Mike Strater in 1932 to tell him he was taking “a 10.75 Mauser, the G&H Springfield, and a Colt Woodsman” on safari. The 10.75 has never been confirmed. What is confirmed, though, is that Strater took delivery of a Griffin and Howe magnum Mauser in .404 Jeffery in 1930. Strater bought the rifle it because originally he had planned to accompany Hemingway to Africa. He ultimately didn’t because Hemingway postponed the safari twice, each time by a year. That very rifle, G&H no 1034 was sold at auction in 2015. But of course it wasn’t Hemingway’s gun and there is no Africa hunting lore associated with it.
So, who knows what you may find in time. Good luck! As Huvius says, the rifle is a beautiful piece as is.
| CarlsenHighway |
| (.300 member) |
| 24/02/22 10:59 AM |
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Re: The "other" Osa Johnson Mauser Type A Sporter
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The OP went and advertised it for sale as something to do with Osa Johnson anyway, even though there is no evidence at all for his claim. Just a shyster selling something.
| BFaucett |
| (.333 member) |
| 10/03/22 06:53 AM |
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Re: The "other" Osa Johnson Mauser Type A Sporter
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Quote:
The OP went and advertised it for sale as something to do with Osa Johnson anyway, even though there is no evidence at all for his claim. Just a shyster selling something.
Well, that's interesting.
I haven't been on here in years and, on a whim, just decided to log in and take a look around the forums. I stumbled across this thread. Of course, the thread's topic title got my attention as I'm the owner of Osa's 9.3x62 Mauser. I'd forgotten that I had left a post in this thread way back in 2012 (see above).
I now see that John has recently (in Feb 2022) bumped up the old thread about Osa's rifle. A little "blast from the past" for me to see it again.
If anyone is curious, I still own Osa's rifle. For the past several years, it's been in climate controlled storage at a local gun shop for safekeeping. And, no, I never have fired it even after all these years.
To John:
I hope all is well with you. I'm hanging in there. I retired in 2018. I'm just being a lazy bum and enjoying retirement. I never returned to Africa after my last trip in 2005. I don't plan on going again; getting too old and lazy.
Cheers! Bob F.
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NitroX
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| (.700 member) |
| 10/03/22 07:08 PM |
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Re: The "other" Osa Johnson Mauser Type A Sporter
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Welcome back Bob.
A member wanted to know about the Martin and Osa Johnson Museum and I immediately thought of you!
I also reopened some older relevant threads.
Bob, retired guys are also welcome to join in on NE.
| BFaucett |
| (.333 member) |
| 10/03/22 10:07 PM |
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Re: The "other" Osa Johnson Mauser Type A Sporter
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Thanks, John. I'll try to stop by a little more frequently.
Cheers! Bob F.
| DarylS |
| (.700 member) |
| 11/03/22 04:50 AM |
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Re: The "other" Osa Johnson Mauser Type A Sporter
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As far as consecutive serial numbers go, I'd like to own Winchester Model 70, S# 1831 or 1829, just to have a pair.
| crshelton |
| (.333 member) |
| 11/03/22 06:41 AM |
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Re: The "other" Osa Johnson Mauser Type A Sporter
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Speaking of Osa, does anyone here know where her Winchester 1895 .405 is these days?
| mckinney |
| (.400 member) |
| 11/03/22 09:39 AM |
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Re: The "other" Osa Johnson Mauser Type A Sporter
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That’s a very early Model 70 - 1936 or 37 I imagine.
| DarylS |
| (.700 member) |
| 11/03/22 10:08 AM |
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Re: The "other" Osa Johnson Mauser Type A Sporter
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September 1936 - M70's started mfgr. in April, according to my information.
There were 2,240 (I think) made in 1936 by the end of the year.
Mine runs just over .5" at 100 meters with 165's and just over .6" with 180's. Shot with a 4X Lyman All American Perma-Center Scope.
| mckinney |
| (.400 member) |
| 11/03/22 11:33 AM |
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Re: The "other" Osa Johnson Mauser Type A Sporter
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I’ll remember the serial number. It would be nice to find 1829 or 1831.
I have two pre-war model 70’s but both are very late prewar with serial numbers in the 40,000 range.
Sounds like #1830 is a .30-06. Would be very nice to find a companion in .250-3000 or 7 x 57!