Mauser Identification

[Paul B.]

Hello,

I hope all is well. I recently acquired an Oberndorf Mauser sporter. I believe it to be a pre-WWI, numbers matching, commercial "Type B" sporter in 8mm Mauser. However, I'd truly appreciate your analysis of the attached pictures to confirm the year range of manufacture, exact caliber (J-.318 or S-.323, etc.), as well as any other helpful information you can decipher from the attached.

Thank you!
- Paul B.

[Paul B.]

Some additional pictures. Thanks!

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[Paul B.]

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[Paul B.]

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[Kiwi_bloke]

Hi Paul
I had a pre-WW1 Mauser sporter, one of the first in .250 Savage. So I tend to concur about the age of this one, which looks very similar. The K after the serial number in the stock makes me think that, like the .250 this MIGHT also be a Kurz (meaning in German "short") Mauser in 8x51. The magazine box length will soon tell you when you try to put a regular 8x57 round into it. The "N" after the 8,0 will also be significant, (= Normal?). These bolts safeties used to come out with large or small gas deflection flanges. I wonder if your one has been changed over to the more desirable smaller one. Those are my thoughts. The number 156,14 is a gauge number meaning bore diameter 7.87mm, (German proof laws of 1891, in use until 1939) . I'm sure more experienced collectors will fill the gaps in.

[Nathaniel Myers]

Wonderful rifle. What a hunting rifle should be. Very Niven condition and thankfully no modification.

I will be interested to hear more about the K. Visually the rifle appears to be a standard (intermediate) length action.

Slugging the bore is always recommend to find the true bore diameter. I have run across several rifles that were ".318" rifles which actually slugged different sizes. Noteably, several were .3215".

.318 bullets did not shoot very well!

[mike ford]

Paul,
I couldn't put my hands on my list of serial numbers, but with my poor memory, I think the rifle is from 1912-13. If someone else doesn't confirm or dispute that, I will try again to find the list. The 8.0 N was the designation for the ammo with a round nose bullet( normal), which was the 8x57I (.318"). If it had been intended for the 8x57IS, it would have been marked 8.0 S ( for spitzer bullet). As a matter of interest, similar marks were used to differentiate between 7mm rifles and 30 cal rifles intended for round nose or spitzer bullets ( in the case of 30 cal, 7.6 N is for 30-03, and 7.6 S is for 30-06). Note that this is for the Mauser factory, not for others.
Mike

[Axel E]

The rifle has a post-1912 stock. Serial number 73931 dates it 1913, according to Jon Speed's list. 8,0 N means it to be proofed for the 8x57I, .318" bullet cartridge, normalised in 1909 and sporting rifle standard to 1939. The gauge number 156.14 is for a bore/land (not groove/bullet!) diameter .310" - .319", wide for an 8mm I barrel. In the 1920s the Mauser factory chambered their 8mm sporters with a neck and throat to make them usable for the S cartridges too, but it is unknown if they started the practice before WW1. To check, fire an emasculated American "8mm Mauser" , Rem or Win load. If an 8mm S = .323" bullet slips in and out of the case neck you may use any modern 8x57IS factory load too.

[Paul B.]

Hi All - I just wanted to thank everyone for their time and for sharing their wisdom, it is much appreciated! Thanks! I was able to obtain two separate 8mm loads for my rifle - 170 g Federal Power Shock - 8mm Mauser and 196 g PPU SP - 8mm Mauser. Both cartridges fit perfectly in the magazine and both feed smoothly into and out of battery. Unfortunately, I have not been able to find any information about either load in regards to whether they are J or S diameter. With that said, my plan is to bring the rifle to my local smith for a chamber casting and overall safety inspection. Thank you again!

[Axel E]

Those SAAMI specification "8 mm Mauser" loads are both deliberately loaded down to make them safe in both I and S barrels. PRVI Partizan https://www.prvipartizan.com/rifle_ammo.php loads both their SAAMI spec "8 mm Mauser" and their European CIP spec "8x57 IS" with the same .323" 196 gr bullets. But the American cartridge is downloaded to merely 2182 fps, while the full power European "8x57 IS" does 2460 fps.

[mike ford]

Axel,
I have a supply of Remington 170 grain 8mm bullets that are used in their 8mm Mauser ammo. They measure .3215". Therefore, Remington 8mm Mauser ammo is/was loaded with undersized bullets as well as lower velocity. I don't know about Winchester.
Mike.