GPJ12345
.300 member
Reged: 18/08/12
Posts: 149
Loc: South Africa
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Good day members.
I need some assistance in identifying a unique Boere Mauser.
Scenario: Correct me if I am wrong, the 7x57 Mauser my fore -fathers , the Boer fighters used in the Anglo Boer war used was the split-bridge Mauser? The Model 1893/1895 Mauser chambered for the 7×57 cartridge.
A very old person , 84 years of age handed a 7x57 Mauser in yesterday at the gunsmith shop. Attached to the 7x57 Mauser is a story. During the Anglo Boer war his grandfather used this Mauser in war. His horse was shot dead under him , the bullet traveled through his leg and through the horse.
He fell and was taken as prisoner by the English( British soldiers) Fortunately the Mauser rifle, the saddle with the hole in was recovered by his fellow Boer fighters. His grand child, the old person unfortunately do not have sons and can not hand the 7 x 57 Mauser to a son of his...so now he gave it to the gunsmith shop.
Coming back to the scenario: Split bridge Mausers, the Model 1893/1895....but what now if the 7x 57 Mauser has a M89 action, build by the Deutsche Waffen-und Munitionfabriken Berlin, the serial number being no 31. Another strange making is the three circles staggered as a triangle on every part of this 7x 57 Mauser.
Left hand side of back sights is a C7mm marking.
Left side of receiver 3 x crowns, 2,4 gG.B.P under this marking is ST.m.G
Is this a custom made Mauser in the 1889 era for someone to used in the Ango-Boer war, three year war in South Africa?
I really would like to hear from any one who can tell me more about this rifle.
My take on this rifle: It can be a O.V.S Mauser...
Regards
Gert
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kuduae
.400 member
Reged: 13/01/10
Posts: 1806
Loc: middle of Germany
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Post photos, please! Your description, split bridge,German commercial proof marks,seems to be of a civilian/commercial rifle built on a M88 "Commission" action than any Mauser. The issue "Boer War" rifle of the Orange Free State and others was the M95 Mauser in 7x57. No true Mauser from the 1888 Mauser Belgian experimental on had a split bridge. Of course, it is documented, that some Boer fighters used privately purchased rifles of sporter or military configuration in that war.
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Louis
.375 member
Reged: 13/05/15
Posts: 977
Loc: France
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Gert
I think that rifles issued by the Oranje Vrystaat had an O.V.S. marking on the left side of the action wall, close from the receiver ring. The year of issuing (or of purchase?) was also stamped below the O.V.S. marking.
With regards to rifles issues by the Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek (Transvaal), I think that they had had an A, B, or C letter prefix preceding their serial number.
Many privately-owned sporting Mauser of different models, not bearing any kind of Government marking, were also used throughout the 2nd Boer War (1899-1902).
Best regards.
Louis
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"Everything that doesn't kill me makes me stronger"
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GPJ12345
.300 member
Reged: 18/08/12
Posts: 149
Loc: South Africa
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Thank you, yes it was my plan to take the rifle apart and take photos..I will be doing it tomorrow.
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Gen_Hicks
.300 member
Reged: 15/10/12
Posts: 136
Loc: Lowveld, South Africa
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Gert
About the only split bridge mausers you will find in SA, is portuguese mausers in 6.5x58. (Very rarely you might find a Haenel)
Boer war mausers had the M95 action which cock-on-closing, not like the M98 which cocked on opening.
Louis is right, there should be an A,B or C prefix before the serial no.
As jy my n privaat boodskap stuur sal ek jou my no stuur, dan kan ek jou beter help.
Groete
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GPJ12345
.300 member
Reged: 18/08/12
Posts: 149
Loc: South Africa
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Thank you Gunship
PM send.
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GPJ12345
.300 member
Reged: 18/08/12
Posts: 149
Loc: South Africa
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Good day members.
I need to make a correction..as mentioned/pointed out by members..the split -bridge action ( Portuguese replica .. not part of this description/discussion...my mistake ...
Here are the photos, what I did not capture was the three circles stashed in a form of a tri-angle.
All the parts are numbered 31..most peculiar is the magazine plate...the same as the Portuguese magazine plate... on one of the magazine plate photo you will notice the three rings/circles staggered in a tri-angle form..what mark is that?
Edited by GPJ12345 (12/01/16 06:17 AM)
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DarylS
.700 member
Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 27690
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
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I see a Model 98 marked 7mm with an early rear sight. Other than that, sorry.
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Daryl
"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V
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GPJ12345
.300 member
Reged: 18/08/12
Posts: 149
Loc: South Africa
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Exactly DarylS, the question begs:
The "Portuguese type bottom metal/magazine plate on a 98" action in the Boer war that used 1893/1895 Mauser rifles...that is something new..
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kuduae
.400 member
Reged: 13/01/10
Posts: 1806
Loc: middle of Germany
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As the rifle is a mix of DWM made features, M98 action and Mauser-Vergueiro or Argentine 1909 type bottom metal, but has German civilian proofmarks, I think it was made by DWM as a "promotional gift" like the "Plezier Mauser" sporters that accompanied military rifle shipments to the Boer republics.
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GPJ12345
.300 member
Reged: 18/08/12
Posts: 149
Loc: South Africa
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Kuduae
It is my great wish to someday being able to meet you face to face and talk to you over a Mopane wood camp fire with black filter roasted coffee ...I would really ask you many questions regarding the Mauser and it`s history....when ever coming to South Africa I will be glad to take you to the farm where we do the 1880 era Black powder hunt every year. It is a beautiful place to gather around a campfire where a leopard rasp just beyond the fire `s light boundary...and a hyena`s low moaning gives magic to the night...thank you very much, I am sure this is what this Mauser is about..this was what puzzled Johan Greyling so much...now I can tell him his idea about this Mauser was correct...I really appreciate the information since the Plezier Mauser was build and purchase by the ZAR Goverment for the Generals and wealthy important civilians.
Please let me know when you come to South Africa ( our rand currency is so weak it will cost you about nothing) I will take you to Weltevreden Farm...
Regards
Gert Odendaal
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lancaster
.470 member
Reged: 06/05/08
Posts: 9509
Loc: There's a lighthouse in the mi...
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I remove such rust with petroleum and very fine steel wool, most times it did not make any damage to the blueing.
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Norwegian hunter misses moose, shoots man on toilet
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bringing civilisation to the barbarians
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GPJ12345
.300 member
Reged: 18/08/12
Posts: 149
Loc: South Africa
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Lancaster, which begs the question; Where do you draw the line when restoring these old Mausers since some of these old rifles may qualify for collector`s items? I presume this Mauser ( promotional gift ) does not qualify since it has all the different components ?
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lancaster
.470 member
Reged: 06/05/08
Posts: 9509
Loc: There's a lighthouse in the mi...
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have read it on another place just last week "rust is not some kind of historical patina - it must be removed - everywhere"
collector piece or not? well, I dont have any interest in military rifle's but care for such specialties. its not my problem if you butcher a military rifle for making your next hunting gun but this thing need's any protection,imho.
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Norwegian hunter misses moose, shoots man on toilet
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bringing civilisation to the barbarians
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mckinney
.400 member
Reged: 29/01/09
Posts: 1236
Loc: usa
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Lancaster, I Use the same rust removal method, but if the rifle was originally rust blued it may leave spotting in spite of best efforts. I recently had a rust problem with some original Mauser .22 rifles that had been left in a safe in a barn shed for about a year without attention. I removed the rust, but it unfortunately left spotting on a few of the rifles. Fortunately these were not high condition guns to begin with, so not a lot of value lost. I may attempt to polish and rust blue them myself, after doing some study of polishing methods, carding, etc. The key is to avoid any 'washing' of the markings in the polishing. There is a gunsmith in Fayateville, TN (Charles Danner) who is brilliant at this and does great work.
Can anyone recommend a good book on rust bluing techniques?
Edited by mckinney (16/01/16 06:29 AM)
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