Age of Mauser Sporting Rifle

[jpitts]

I recently bought from a private collector, a Mauser sporting rifle 8x57 stamped A.G. Oberndorf, serial number 772XX. It has a custom Manlicher stock in Birdseye maple and a B & L 2.5-8 scope with no front sight at all. Can you tell me year of manufacture and approximate value. It shoots great, holding within 1" @ 100 Yds.

[WmRoy]

Do you have any pictures??

[jpitts]

HOW do I enter a photo?

[WmRoy]

Do you use a photo hosting site like photobucket? Which is what I usually do.

Either you can post a link directly to the photo, or you can go to the attachments section when making a post and pull a thumbnail off of your computer.

http://www.guncollectorsforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97

[Blind Hog]

JP,

If the action or barreled action is from an actual Oberndorf Sporter, 772xx would place it's production in 1913. If it was based on a military or contract military action it will be almost impossible to date it. If this is the case, proofing may help with identification.

As suggested close up, clear photos of the rifle and all markings would be best. Barring that, a complete description of all markings and their location would be helpful.

If from an Oberndorf Sporter, it should bear commercial proofing crown over B and crown over U (these are commercial).

To my best of my knowledge Oberndorf did not use Birdseye Maple, so it would had been restocked elsewhere. I most certainly could be wrong, but think it not likely to have left Oberndorf in Maple.

Look forward to more information.

[jpitts]

This Mauser does indeed have a crown over B, a crown over U and a crown over N as well. I have photographed it as good as I can and reduced the size as much as I can on my home computer. I have SW on my work computer that can reduce further but I won't be back at work until next week. So I am sending 2 or 3 posts to try to get more photos in. I have included a photo of the floor plate with a deer and oak leaves and acorns

[jpitts]

Here are a full right shot and a left stock shot to show cheek plate.

[WmRoy]

A beautiful weapon!! Certainly looks like a commercial mauser to me. So Blind Hog has it pegged I'd say.

Thanks for the pics!! That's a great rifle!!

[Blind Hog]

Hmmmm....based on the photos supplied so far, I am inclined to believe that the action/barreled action is from a military contract. Some military contract for export rifles bore commercial proofing.

Based on the proofing shown, this action went through proof no earlier than 1924 (est). C/B-C/U was in force 1898-1924, C/B signifies a rifle in assembled form; C/U signifies final inspection proof. In 1924 proofing changed and was in force to 1933-34. In addition to the C/B, C/U; arms were stamped with an additional mark...Crown over G, indicating a weapon with a rifled barrel. A fourth mark, a Crown over N, was applied together with the three prior mentioned proofs on rifles from 1933-34 to late 1939, to signify that the rifle had been proofed with nitro-based powder.

In addition to using proofing to date (apprx) a Mauser also note address logo on the receiver rail. Prior to 1922 this would be Waffenfabrik Mauser, on May 30, 1922 the company name changed to Mauser-Werke AG.

To the best of my knowledge the "diamond" shaped marking to the right of the serial number was not part of Mauser's commercial serial numbering sequence.

From the photo supplied, the floor plate appears to be a "casting", something that would be unlikely for a Mauser produced sporting rifle.

Information supplied can be found in "Mauser Original Sporting Rifles" authored by, Speed, Schmid and Herrmann, copyright 1997.

[jpitts]

Thank you all for your kind assistance.

[WmRoy]

Blind Hog, thanks for your knowledge!!!

[pestilence]

That looks like an american made sporter. I don't think I've ever heard or read about any rifles made by Mauser that have a maple stock. Also, the cheek-piece and floor-plate don't look right to have been produced at mauser.

I happen to have a full-stock commercial sporter made by Mauser in 8x57j.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2064/2215471093_1bf1cb5839_o.png
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2334/2215471513_1686014329_o.png
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2203/2216261984_ca424e6ff4_o.png

[WmRoy]

Welcome Aboard Pestilence!!

Thanks for the pic's........ we love pic's!!! :blob1: ;)