Help identify this Mauser

[Gadgetmonster]

I purchased this Mauser at an auction after a brief inspection. The tag says German model 98 Sporterized.
Sort of an impulse thing but I liked how it felt and it looked like it had been well cared for.

So now I go digging around on the internet and I am at a loss to figure out what it is and what it is chambered in.

What I can find on it:
On the left side of the receiver: Model 98 & 35261
Top of receiver: 44 & byf in lower case letters
On barrel close to receiver: 440906
Bottom of the floor plate: 6024

What do you think I have here?




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[sloughfoot]

From your pictures, it looks like it has the original military contour barrel. You will have to do a chamber cast to figure out what caliber. It is probably 8mm, but I would never automatically assume that.

A competent gunsmith should be able to help and is the only sure way to be safe.

I have a 1909 Mauser that I re-barreled with a military contour barrel in 30.06. So you just never know without careful checking.

 

[jinks]

From the byf 44 it was originally manufactured at Mauser Werke A.G. Oberndorf-am-Neckar as a 98k military rifle.

Mauser 98K Unofficial Web Site.

 

[Hoosier8]

I purchased this Mauser at an auction after a brief inspection. The tag says German model 98 Sporterized.
Sort of an impulse thing but I liked how it felt and it looked like it had been well cared for.

So now I go digging around on the internet and I am at a loss to figure out what it is and what it is chambered in.

What I can find on it:
On the left side of the receiver: Model 98 & 35261
Top of receiver: 44 & byf in lower case letters
On barrel close to receiver: 440906
Bottom of the floor plate: 6024

What do you think I have here?




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Sporterized mix master K98. With mismatched numbers, probably an RC.

Gotta tell you that I like it and wouldn't mind picking up a nice sportered K98.

 

[Hoosier8]

A 44 BYF was a pretty common K98. 1,434,219 were produced.

 

[Gadgetmonster]

Thanks for the info. I read that the military barrel steps down and is not tapered. Mine has Eagle stamps in various places on the barrel.

Just a thought: Back in 1943, a soldier grabs one of these because there are bombs being dropped all around and he needs to defend himself now. How in the world would he know what ammo to grab up? 1,142,336 made with no indication of the caliber. Hummm?

Well i'm going to have to learn about doing a chamber cast. That task is right down my alley. I am working on the finishing stages of restoring an SKS. This Mouser will be next and gently cleaned up. I am looking forward to the day I can shoot this beauty.

 

[Denny347]

Thanks for the info. I read that the military barrel steps down and is not tapered. Mine has Eagle stamps in various places on the barrel.

Just a thought: Back in 1943, a soldier grabs one of these because there are bombs being dropped all around and he needs to defend himself now. How in the world would he know what ammo to grab up? 1,142,336 made with no indication of the caliber. Hummm?

Well i'm going to have to learn about doing a chamber cast. That task is right down my alley. I am working on the finishing stages of restoring an SKS. This Mouser will be next and gently cleaned up. I am looking forward to the day I can shoot this beauty.

They were all 7.92x57mm (aka 8mm). Their Mausers and the MG34 and MG44 machine guns all shared the same caliber.

 

[rob63]

The US M1 Garand and M1 Carbine are both marked "CAL .30 M1" even though they fire different cartridges. Soldiers were expected to know what cartridge each weapon used rather than depend upon markings.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

Their Mausers and the MG34 and MG44 machine guns all shared the same caliber.

And FG42, and G41, and G43, and M88, and MG15, and MG30, and MG08, and . . . ok, ok, I'll stop.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

They were all 7.92x57mm (aka 8mm). Their Mausers and the MG34 and MG44 machine guns all shared the same caliber.

Yep, ^^^This^^^. Any other caliber would be the exception to the rule. Now other countries' Mausers are a whole 'nuther story. For example, most Turk Mausers today are chambered in 8mm, but they started out as 7.65x53 Argentine. Many South American and Spanish Mausers are chambered in 7mm or 7.65 Argentine, but some, especially the South Americans were rechambered to other calibers like 30-06. And don't even get me started on the Siamese...

 

[rob63]

And FG42, and G41, and G43, and M88, and MG15, and MG30, and MG08, and . . . ok, ok, I'll stop.

G98/40, G24t, G33/40, G29(o)

 

[Tactically Fat]

And don't even get me started on the Siamese...

They converted all of theirs to double rifles!

 

[DoggyDaddy]

They converted all of theirs to double rifles!

Not all... 8x50R, but not the same as 8x50R Lebel OR 8x50R Mannlicher. Also 8x52R.

Type 45 Siamese Mauser - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Tactically Fat]

Not all... 8x50R, but not the same as 8x50R Lebel OR 8x50R Mannlicher. Also 8x52R.

Type 45 Siamese Mauser - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You totally missed the joke.

Makes me sad.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

You totally missed the joke.

Makes me sad.

Oh damn... Sorry... I'm about half a pot of coffee low this morning!

 

[Gadgetmonster]

Piece of cake... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2d5DA4_OcuE

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[SSGSAD]

Yep, ^^^This^^^. Any other caliber would be the exception to the rule. Now other countries' Mausers are a whole 'nuther story. For example, most Turk Mausers today are chambered in 8mm, but they started out as 7.65x53 Argentine. Many South American and Spanish Mausers are chambered in 7mm or 7.65 Argentine, but some, especially the South Americans were rechambered to other calibers like 30-06. And don't even get me started on the Siamese...

I have a Spanish Mauser that started out as a 7x57mm, and when I bought it, it had been re-chambered to 7.62x51.....

 

[DoggyDaddy]

I have a Spanish Mauser that started out as a 7x57mm, and when I bought it, it had been re-chambered to 7.62x51.....

Yep, that too. My FR8 (7.62x51) started as a Spanish M43 (8x57), and I have a Chilean that started as a 7x57 and is now a 7.62x51. Also have a Spanish M1916 that was formerly 7x57 and is now 7.62x51. They're all over the map, that's for sure!

 

[Stang51d]

Chamber cast is easy. Just don't fill it up to much. Hard to get out if it gets up in the lugs. 1/2 lb bar is about $20. Break it in half and put in a metal ladle. Just set it on the stove in the kitchen, it will melt quick. Use a pitch to plug the bore just about 1/2" into the rifleing and pour. Use a cleaning rod to knock out within a few min.

 

[Gadgetmonster]

Both on the way...
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