Can someone please help me identify this weapon?

We found this in my grandfathers basement and have no idea what it is. We have been told buy the local gun store that it is a wwII mauser 8mm, but thats all he could tell us. I have pictures in my album, but any marks are very hard to see. I guess i can try to draw them if these pictures do not help.

http://www.ww2f.com/members/turboshelbys-albums-mauser-.html

the marking on the top of the breech is a circle with a bow and arrow design. There are more marking but they are very faint. It also has merex alex, va stamped under the barrel. the serial numbers n 380 are stamped on every piece. It also hold 5 rds(8x57 mm mauser 170gr. 8ma is stamped on the box) in the magazine well. i am not sure if this is the correct ammo, but it was found in the case with the rifle.

Thank you all!

 

I don't know what all you are trying to find out; but, these sights should point you in the right direction:

Firearms and Uniforms of the Wehrmacht

http://www.ww2f.com/weapons-wwii/22855-mauser-k98-markings.html

http://www.mauser.org/rifles/K98k German/index.htm

Knowing when and where your Grandfather picked the weapon up would also be good to know.

 

Thanks, It helps a little. The markings on this gun I have not been able to match with any other. I believe it is a mauser model 98, but have no idea where/when it was made or what country may have used it.

 

The dark shade of the wood gives me the impression of WW2 vintage.

 

Thanks, that helps for sure. every little bit is adding up.

 

Merex Corp was a dealer in surplus arms.

The rifle would have been stamped by them when it was imported into the US or sold on the surplus market.

It is not a German Kar98k - they do not have the grooves in the stock.

Possibly Yugoslav ?

Regards

Richie

 

Thank you.

It also has a straight bolt, maybe this will help?

 

It's sight has markings from 1-20 on top and when i flipped it up there is 1-20 and under the 20 there is very small left facing sauwastika on it.

Also, the stock may have been replaced. it has definatly been re-stained. i am dissassembling it right now to see if i can find anymore markings.

 

Ok, on the bottom of the barrel(directly around/beneath the rear sight) there is another tiny reverse sauwastika, an X, and a 2. there is another tiny reverse sauwastika on the side of the breech.

 

Here is a very crude drawing of the shapes and symbols I have found so far.

http://www.ww2f.com/members/turboshelbys-albums-mauser--picture2709-09-05-2009-05-51-20pm.html

 

The wooden stock is also marked on the inside with the same n 380 numbers as on the rifle

 

The straight bolt handle is a bit of a clue as well, since that was on the original 98, but modified later. Here is a pic

 

thank you

So far we think it is pre-war/early war. I think that the groves in the stock might help also as I have not seen many like this online. The reverse sauwastika is throwing me for a loop also

 

Well It looks like this is a chinese "Chiang Kai Shek" model.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiang_Kai-shek_rifle

Thanks to everyone for helping me solve this!

 

I'm no Mauser expert either, so sorry I can't help. You may be correct in your conclusion, but I don't think I would be out of line in referring you to a site where people devote their life to this sort of thing. Gunboards.com is the site and this link should take you to the Military Mauser Forum The Military Mauser Forum - Gunboard's Forums

 

Thanks, I am all about verifying info, so thank you for the link. I will get on there right now.

 

I'm a member of that forum as well, and would second the suggestion. If anybody knows their stuff about Milsurp arms, it's these guys.

 

I think it could be a Czech made Mauser, a 98/22 or Vz24, 7.92x57mm. These rifles were used by the Germans and were also exported to many countries such as Turkey and to China. If it's Czech, the quality will be very good. The Czechs make high quality firearms. If the quality seems to lower it could be a Chinese made copy...and shouldn't be fired unless checked out by a good gunsmith. I not really up on Mausers, beyond the common German ones and as you've probably found out there are a lot of variants and many many different countries of origin.

 

Hi Turboshelbys, Yes it is a Chinese Mauser,I have one in my collection and it is one of my favorites. My advice from what I have learned about the poor quality of the Steel used in their manufacture is to have it checked over by a gunsmith before attempting to fire it ! Regards Tobysauer.

 

definately the chinese mauser K98...