Mauser-Oberndorf

[algmule]

Hello

With permission from Norway I post the following images. Owner wants information on why the rifle has two caliber markings; what the K.R. 1G(6?) might mean; if serial points to a manufacture date in 1925 and, if so, why the 108.49?
AAA5.jpg
AAA6.jpg
AAA7.jpg
AAA8.jpg

Edit: image
AAA10.jpg

Owner claims the rifle is a type-B. Bore is.3578. I've asked for an image of the entire rifle. If one turns up I'll post it.

Kind regards
Peter

[mike ford]

Peter,
I don't know, for sure, but I opine that the 108.49 is the bore (not groove or bullet)diameter under the German proof law. This works out to be about 8.89mm, or a little less than .350". The 9x57 is the nominal cartridge, for which the rifle is chambered. The 108.48 in a little bit large, but not unreasonably so, I would have more likely expected 118,35 instead. Both of these markings are sometimes found on both 9mm and 9.3mm nominally chambered rifles. You said above that the bore diameter is .3578". I'm guessing you meant groove diameter, if so, it is 9x57, as marked. If it is indeed the bore diameter, the nominal caliber may be 9.3x57 instead. A "quick and dirty" way to check is to see if a 9.3 (.365-.366") bullet will easily enter the neck of a fired/unresized case, from that rifle. If one will not enter, it is 9x57 as marked. I haven't seen the K.R. 16 mark before, but it would seem to be for a 16 gram Copper(Kupfer)jacketed round nose bullet. If I'm wrong, someone will come in with the correct answer. I believe the rifle was made before they started assigning letter models to their rifles, but I don't know the precise date.
Mike

[Axel E]

The rifle is not a type B sporter, but a Modell C Armee – Modell `= Army Hunting Rifle, Mauser's "economy grade". According to the commercial serial number 91982 it was made 1924 – 25. In making these low cost, but servicable rifles Mauser used left over or rejected parts from their military production, so on this rifle. The stock is made from a WW1 Gewehr 98 shaped stock blank, "demilitarised" after the Versailles treaty by shortening the foreend. The bottom metal, magazine box + triggerguard, is also of Gew 98 production, see "Waidmannsheil!" #62, page 39. Eyen the barrel has some pre-1918 military type marking, like the small inspection stamps. The KR.16 marking is of Gew 98 origin too. It denoted origin and specification of the barrel steel, here Krupp, quality/lot #16. Obviously Mauser here rebored and rerifled a left over Gew98 barrel from the military 8x57IS (forbidden by the Versailles treaty) to 9x57.
For unknown reasons the Mauser factory continued to mark the gauge numbers, otherwise obsolete since 1912, on their barrels up to the 1930s, often besides the metric mm specifications. So all Mauser .22lr barels up to WW2 bear the gauge number 459 too. The "Kalibernummer" = gauge number 108.49 stood for a bore/land (not groove!) diameter of .350.

[algmule]

Hello

mike ford,
yes, my bad.

Axel,
sweet info, especially on the stock.

I guess the owner is reading here himself so if further questions come along my way I'll post them.

Kind regards
Peter

[Steve Whitley]

The rifle is not a type B sporter, but a Modell C Armee – Modell `= Army Hunting Rifle, Mauser's "economy grade". According to the commercial serial number 91982 it was made 1924 – 25. In making these low cost, but servicable rifles Mauser used left over or rejected parts from their military production, so on this rifle. The stock is made from a WW1 Gewehr 98 shaped stock blank, "demilitarised" after the Versailles treaty by shortening the foreend. The bottom metal, magazine box + triggerguard, is also of Gew 98 production, see "Waidmannsheil!" #62, page 39. Eyen the barrel has some pre-1918 military type marking, like the small inspection stamps. The KR.16 marking is of Gew 98 origin too. It denoted origin and specification of the barrel steel, here Krupp, quality/lot #16. Obviously Mauser here rebored and rerifled a left over Gew98 barrel from the military 8x57IS (forbidden by the Versailles treaty) to 9x57.
For unknown reasons the Mauser factory continued to mark the gauge numbers, otherwise obsolete since 1912, on their barrels up to the 1930s, often besides the metric mm specifications. So all Mauser .22lr barels up to WW2 bear the gauge number 459 too. The "Kalibernummer" = gauge number 108.49 stood for a bore/land (not groove!) diameter of .350.

Bravo, and thank you very much for stating that! There are numerous examples of these which turn up, and many people seem to come up with some outlandish speculations on them. This should clear that up for them!

Steve

[mike ford]

Axel,
Thanks for the correction .
Mike