Marc
.224 member
Reged: 12/07/18
Posts: 24
Loc: South of France
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Howdy folks,
I traded this rifle a few months ago. It has the barrel and the scope of a G98. I read that germans used hunting rifle in the early days of ww1, cause of the lack of sniper rifles. Of course, those sporter rifles were also used by the other camp, as you can see on this pic, from the 1930 movie "All quiet on the western front". I never fired it; I bought it as a 8x60, but the bolt doesn't lock, a tiny bit lacks. Certainly born as a 8x57, I think it's badly re-chambered in 8x60s after the Versailles treaty. I have to look after this... There is no mark, apart from the one on the pic, re-blued; what are your thoughts on this?
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Edited by Marc (01/08/18 11:39 PM)
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justcurious
.333 member
Reged: 17/03/10
Posts: 285
Loc: Germany
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The pear shaped bolthandle looks like a typical commercial Oberndorf specimen.I guess the whole action is a commercial Oberndorf one. The barell is difficult to judge. Maybe a former military and the rib was soldered on.
Dismantle the rifle and look for further markings under the barell/shank.
Never take equipment in movies for serious historical sources.Though it it is reported that weapons sometimes were used by the enemy when once captured.
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Vladymere
.300 member
Reged: 11/08/15
Posts: 187
Loc: North Carolina, USA
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I doubt it was ever used in WWI as a sniper rifle. It looks like a pre-WWI purpose built sporting rifle, possibly with an Oberndorf action as justcurious suggested.
I like this rifle. I have a liking for those late 1800/early 1900 German and Austrian sporting rifles with diminutive side panel, pancake cheek piece stocks and graceful lines.
The barrel I doubt ever graced a military Mauser as it has no steps in the diameter. Whether the rib is integral to the manufacturer of the barrel, and I suspect it is, or soldered on it has a nice profile.
The profmark on the left receiver ring indicates proofing between 1891 and 1912, inclusive.
Vlad
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Louis
.375 member
Reged: 13/05/15
Posts: 977
Loc: France
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Bonjour Marc. Congratulations on your nice acquisition; this rifle looks more to be a pre-WW1 commercial rifle (which may have seen military service, re. the rifle's serial number mentioned on the scope) than a hastily converted military one. As advised by Justcurious you should as a start post photos of all markings under the wood line in order to allow thorough identification. Louis
-------------------- "Everything that doesn't kill me makes me stronger"
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Rule303
.450 member
Reged: 05/07/09
Posts: 5271
Loc: Woodford Qld
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That is a nice looking rifle. If the rechambering is not deep enough you could have a gunsmith see if the chamber is alright just to run the 8X60 reamer in properly.
Vlad, the barrel appears to have at least 2 steps in the diameter.
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Marc
.224 member
Reged: 12/07/18
Posts: 24
Loc: South of France
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Proofmarks between 1891 and 1912, it's interesting, I didn't think it was so old. As you can see it's a shortened G98 barrel, steps are clearly visible. I have several friends in gunsmithing, one day we'll ream the chamber. Of course I could fireform cases, but I don't feel like doing it.
Edited by Marc (02/08/18 06:07 PM)
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kuduae
.400 member
Reged: 13/01/10
Posts: 1806
Loc: middle of Germany
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The rifle was proofed by the Zella (-Mehlis post 1920) proofhouse January 1914.
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Marc
.224 member
Reged: 12/07/18
Posts: 24
Loc: South of France
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Thanks!
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justcurious
.333 member
Reged: 17/03/10
Posts: 285
Loc: Germany
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I am not sure if the bore of the barell really is for the S Cartridge. Barell marking 7,8 looks more like the 8x57 (60) I . Military S barells were marked 7,89 or 7,9. The S on the front receiver may be misleading.
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lancaster
.470 member
Reged: 06/05/08
Posts: 9534
Loc: There's a lighthouse in the mi...
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slug the barrel! made in 1914 points to a 8x57I and if its rechambered to 8x60 after the war or not it could be a problem to get a 8x60S into the chamber because the neck area is to small for the S bullet. good for anyone because it prevent to fire the wrong ammo in this rifle.
the reworked military "Sufenlauf" barrel is uncommon
-------------------- Norwegian hunter misses moose, shoots man on toilet
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bringing civilisation to the barbarians
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Marc
.224 member
Reged: 12/07/18
Posts: 24
Loc: South of France
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I slugged it, no surprise I mesure 325" grooves.
I imagine that 7,8 is the genuine bore diameter. Perhaps the bore was widen, as they did for the G88?
Edited by Marc (03/08/18 07:25 PM)
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Vladymere
.300 member
Reged: 11/08/15
Posts: 187
Loc: North Carolina, USA
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"Vlad, the barrel appears to have at least 2 steps in the diameter. "
Thank you for correcting me rule303.
I missed seeing that as I am slowly going blind.
Since it is a stepped barrel then it likely was a military action and barrel that was sporterized.
The 7.8 is the land to land diameter of the bore, not the groove to groove diameter as used by Americans.
Vlad
Edited by Vladymere (04/08/18 04:00 AM)
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lancaster
.470 member
Reged: 06/05/08
Posts: 9534
Loc: There's a lighthouse in the mi...
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only chance now to be sure about the chamber is to made a chamber cast also
-------------------- Norwegian hunter misses moose, shoots man on toilet
.
bringing civilisation to the barbarians
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