The “Duffel Bag Cut” Survivor

[JustFrank]

Here’s the second gun I mentioned briefly in a previous post/thread. It is most likely a “bring back” from my deceased Father-In-law collection. I believe it returned with/from him, and survived the “Duffel Bag Cut”. More images and some questions to follow, comments welcome.

Thanks

[mike ford]

JustFrank,
This is another nice rifle, this one a Mod.98 Mauser with some nice features, double set triggers, Greener type "stalking safety", lever release floor plate, 3/4 length stock, and it seems to have been fitted with a long scope at one time ( maybe a night scope). Your Dad made good selections. When you get a chance to take it out of the stock also, we can tell you much more if we get a look at the proof marks. See if there is a serial number on the back of the magazine box.
Mike

[JustFrank]

Thanks Mike,

I did get it out of the stock this afternoon/evening, and it was much easier than the Haenel/G.L. Rasch I started (temporarily quit).

Here are some more images, and I'll probably get 5 more up this evening.

[JustFrank]

OK, here are the last ones for this rifle tonight. I do have the rifle the rest of the way "apart", and have many pictures to cleanup, downsize, and share - perhaps over the weekend and post. I'm having a great time with this process, and learning a lot on this awesome site.

Many thanks to all...

[Axel E]

Please, take this rifle apart too and post photos of the marks under the barrel.
It seems to be an interwar year "Wilhelm Brenneke, Leipzig" rifle, which are in high demand here in Germany. These rifles were built for Brenneke by Schmidt & Habermann, Suhl, TM esha. The barrel is made of thr then expensive, rust resistant "Antinit" steel by the Boehler steel works. The other inscription translates: "Brenneke's High Velocity Cartridge 7x64". The 7x64 was designed by Wilhelm Brenneke in 1917 and became one of the most poüpular hunting cartridges in ----germany and _Austria post-WW2.
On the negative side, besides the missing scope: The bolt is obviously mismatched, likely on "liberation" in 1945. It comes from a Czech military rifle. Such mismatches happened frequently then: American soldiers often removed the bolts (or foreends/barrels from break-open guns)immediately from the confiscated rifles to make them "safe". This resulted in two "heaps": one of boltless rifles and another one of stray bolts. GIs looking for a "war trophy" would find an interesting rifle in the first heap. Then they rummaged the other heap for a bolt that seemed to fit "their" rifle. As all 98 standard length bolts are basically interchangeable, this resulted in such mismatches. The straight handled military bolt now in your rifle would never have worked with a scope attached on the existing bases.

[JustFrank]

No problem Alex. Here are 1-4 of 8 in general. If these aren't serving the needs, please give me more direction, and I'll do my best. Please let us know either way?

[JustFrank]

No problem Alex. Here are 5-4 of 8 in general. If these aren't serving the needs, please give me more direction, and I'll do my best. Please let us know either way?

[mike ford]

JustFrank,
The crown over B is the proof mark for the Definitive Proof made with the provisional proof charge. The crown G means it was proofed to fire a single projectile( bullet). The crown U is for the View Proof, which is a detailed inspection, including confirming dimensions, undertaken after Definitive Proof. The crown E means it was "Express Proofed" for high velocity ammunition. The 7mm is the bore( not groove or bullet) diameter ( in this case it happens to coincide with the nominal caliber). The 64 is the maximum length of the case it is chambered for. Axel wrote a little about this cartridge, above, and it is still a world famous cartridge even today. The 7/28( if I read it correctly, not very clear) means the rifle was Proofed in July of 1928. I hope you find this helpful.
Mike

[mike ford]

Axel,
What do you think about the "A" stamped on the bottom of the receiver? Your explanation of how the rifle lost the bolt is different than the common one that the owner took them out before turning them in, but it makes as much sense. I'm guessing you heard this story from a survivor?
Mike

[JustFrank]

Absolutely Mike & Axel, thank you.

and...

On followup to the last reply from Axel, all numbers, for all parts match (less the earlier bolt mismatch explanation).

To you both...

I've never requested/required the testing of a "bolt match". I'm not sure this is the right place to ask for suggestions, but I'm certainly not qualified/capable. Am I at least on the right path, that having a test taken (for actual use by someone, someday), is a good path?

Thanks

[mike ford]

JustFrank,
By "bolt match" I'm guessing you mean checking the headspace. It is possible that the rifle now has excess headspace- but it is also possible that it is too little. I wouldn't assume , right away, that the rifle is unusable, in fact, if it were mine, I would use it "as is" by adjusting handloads to fit the chamber. If you are not a handloader, there is still a pretty good chance the rifle is OK. The difference between the length of the "go" and "no go" gauges for a cartridge of this length is about .006", and the difference between "go" and "field" would be .010". This is a pretty good tolerance before it becomes unsafe. If you want to shoot it, you could have the headspace checked, but not every gunsmith has the correct gauges. If it won't be shot, it doesn't make a lot of difference. If it were mine, I would definitely use it.
Mike

[JustFrank]

Some tighter shots of the area in question. Maybe some help...

[JustFrank]

Thanks Mike, that is what I meant. I don't have the experience you, and others have.

I do have a good, trustworthy shooting friend who has seen this thread, and concurs with your input. So, I'll probably let him "give it a spin" in the near future (if he wants), and post results.

Thanks again

[mike ford]

JustFrank,
Great, I look forward to the post. BTW, the date is July 1928.
Mike

[Axel E]

Frank, Mauser M98 actions are much less "headspace sensitive" than some American bolt actions. There is a 90+ % chance that the rifle will work ok with the mismatched bolt. The only offending feature is the straight military bolt handle with that bold serial number. Any gunsmith worth his salt will be able to cut off the offending handle, weld on an original style one and blue bolt, bolt shroud and safety. Weld-on bolt handles are available from Brownells, f.i. the Talley bolt knob. Here is a photo of an original Brenneke bolt handle: