Hi all:

A slightly sporterized Spanish Mauser in very nice condition just dropped into my hands...at least I THINK it's a Spanish Mauser.

The markings on the action include "Fabrico de Armas" in a half-circle around a crown, "OVIEDO" and "1909". The 23 1/2 inch barrel has a couple of steps down from the receiver but has no markings except for a small flaming bomb-type thing that I think is a proof mark. There is no caliber designation. Shiny bore.

I'm guessing it's an 1893 mauser action in 7x57 caliber. What I do know is that a .308 cal bullet won't fit into the end of the barrel and a 7x57 factory round chambers and ejects easily.

I'm considering keeping it, if I can make it a little more suitable for hunting (deer, antelope and elk) and stay within a pretty strict budget (after all, you can get some pretty nice brand new rifles these days for $300).

In its its favor, it has a nice, straight-grained walnut stock, a decent recoil pad and a pretty fair reblue job.

On the other had, the bent bolt has not been forged to clear a scope, the trigger is original military with the military safety and it's not drilled and tapped for a scope.

I've heard that CDNN has a scope base for a Moisin-Nagant that will fit this Mauser using the rear sight holes. Then I could mount a pistol scope to help my aging eyes. I know my gunsmith wouldn't charge me much to clean up the trigger.

I have two questions for the group:

1. Can anyone recommend a reliable pistol scope or extended-eye relief scope that won't break the bank? I'm thinking 2 1/2x would be about right.

2. I don't know much about the strength of the action, but I don''t think I'd want to push it beyond standard factory loads. Anyone have moderate pressure handload data I could use with 140 gr NBTs (since I already have some on hand) for deer and antelope, or 160-175 grain bullets for elk?

I probably wouldn't give this rifle a second look if I were at a gun show, but it shoulders nicely and someone obviously took some care with the little bit of sporterizing that was done. And, of course, it's a 7x57!

I think it would make a great backup rifle or loaner, or a terrific 1st gun for a kid. What do you say?

I can't help you with the scope question but if you keep the loads at the original pressures you can shoot those rifles for a long time.
Most loading manuals will tell you what pressures or if the loads are safe for older rifles.

That sounds like it might be a Mexican small ring '98? Does it have a springfield-style cocking piece on the bolt shroud?

Always remember your shooting glasses with a Spanish. There is little to prevent blow back should you have a gas leak.

Here is a website I found regarding Spanish Mausers:

http://masterton.us/Spanmauhome

405wcf

A Spanish Mauser marked Oviedo 1909 is a M1893, not a 98.

can't help you on a pistol scope, but SAAMI specs and factory loads for 7x57 are at levels that would be perfectly safe in a 93 with proper headspace.

405wcf,

Would be interested to hear your personal stories of gas blow back with 1893 and 1895 Mausers. I have fired them a LOT without any problem--and have also fired various 98's that blew gas into parts of my face when cases leaked.

Remembering to wear shooting glasses is a good idea when shooting ANY firearm.

Though they looked pretty good, a number (maybe a large number)of these rifles were pretty well worn when they were imported. Additionally, they are of lesser strength than a '98 Mauser. They are probably safe with standard pressure or milder loads.

The scope mounts that go onto the rear sight aren't very reliable and move with only slight impacts. Bend the bolt and D&T are what it really needs.

I could be wrong, but it was my impression that 405WCF was pointing out the potential for escaping gas venting back toward a shooter's face due to the smaller gas shield on the bolt shroud of the pre-1898 style Mausers. I've shot well of 1K rounds through a variety of pre-1898 style small ring Swedish Mausers without any escaping gas, but when I build a sporting rifle on a Swedish Mauser military action, I always install a commercial style bolt shroud with a larger gas shield. It might not be necessary, but it gives me peace of mind.

Rightly or wrongly, I have always been under the impression that Spanish built Mausers, regardless if they were pre-1898 style small rings or 1898 style large rings, were generally inferior to those made in Germany and Sweden. The Chilean 1895 small ring Mausers made by Ludwig Lowe have always looked like high quality, well made, rifles to me. They were pretty common when I was a kid, frequently in what appeared to be unissued condition for less than $40.

Jeff

260 WHO MAKES AN AFTERMARKET BOLT SGROUD FOR '93-'95's? powdr