A Mauser "what is it" post

Jessie · Jul 27, 2016

My sister in law inherited a couple if guns and asked me what I could tell her about them.
This concerns an 8mm Mauser. She sent some grainy pics and not much info. Said they could only find one set of markings on it which are AK4234.
In the pic of the reciever ring it looks like a ghost outline of the Mauser TM. Cartouche. Maybe I'm imagining that?
It has a straight bolt and to my untrained eye, is it possibly WWI vintage?
I'm trying to find out more, such as the history of who passed it down, etc.
but 500 miles separate us.
P.S. I told her to make her bed for pics.

Jessie · Jul 27, 2016

Another....

Jessie · Jul 27, 2016

And one more....
She said that in their research they read where Hitler had weapons made with no German identifying marks, just a serial number.
I would assume if so, that would be in the 1930's when he was building up his military under the restrictions following WWI.

mauser9 · Jul 27, 2016

Appears to be of World War 1 vintage judging from the pics. Should have year of manufacture on receiver but cannot make out any markings. Grooves in stock should date it to World War 1. Overall metal looks pretty rough. May have to disassemble as markings often stamped on barrel under stock.

Jessie · Jul 27, 2016

I first thought it had been parkerized until I magnified it saw that it was pitting.
It's had a long life, probably poorly stored.

Arik · Jul 27, 2016

I'd ask for pictures in better lighting

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mauser9 · Jul 27, 2016

Yeah too bad about the storage. These rifles and especially 98ks from WW 2 usually well sought after by collectors. At this point with it you might try Kroil to remove some rust. Others will be along with some advice I am sure.

Kronos · Jul 27, 2016

Looks like a vz 24 Mauser from Czechoslovakia,like these AIM had:

LVSteve · Jul 27, 2016

I cannot get to my MMROTW right now, but I think it might be a Chinese VZ24 knock-off.

Jessie · Jul 27, 2016

I've asked her to research the history of him and his father. It may shed some light about where they came from and some history.
Maybe he was a pilot flying the Burma Hump? Issued the Victory and brought home a Chinese knock-off Mauser??

DWalt · Jul 27, 2016

As it seems that there may be importer's stampings (which I can't make out) on the Victory shown on your other posting, it wouldn't have been possible for anyone you knew to use it flying over the hump. It would have been imported back in the late 1960s or possibly later as war surplus. My first reaction to the rifle picture was that it was a Czech vz24, but the lack of any receiver stampings is a puzzle. I know the Chinese used various 8mm Mauser rifles, and may have made some themselves, but I don't know anything about that, at least not enough to attempt an ID.

mauser9 · Jul 27, 2016

Double check for an import marking on underneath of barrel near muzzle. If an import might find some marking there.

DWalt · Jul 27, 2016

Regarding importer markings on old military guns, that was a requirement of the 1968 Gun Control Act. Therefore, any gun with an import stamp would have been imported in the late 1960s or later for sale in the USA. Also, there must be a serial number for anything other than an antique gun, as I have never seen a military weapon which was not SNed.

mauser9 · Jul 27, 2016

Thanks for input on that DWalt. Not sure where the O.Ps even came from but would be nice to know. Had a BYF 44 which had a C.A.I. stamp along with 8MM underneath barrel. Bought it in 94.

sheepdawg · Jul 27, 2016

I found a picture of a Chinese copy made at the Hanyang Arsenal with the prefix AL before the serial number. Rifle has a very similar finish and stock. A German made Mauser of this type would have the BUG or BUGN proofmark on the side of the receiver.

2152hq · Jul 28, 2016

The odd shaped trigger guard (not quite 'Mauser' looking), the ser# prefix and the handguard not extending back to the rec'vr make me think it's the Chinese mfg Mauser 24; A variation Type I with it's straight bolt handle & long bbl. The so called Chiang Kai-shek rifle.

...and FWIW, import marks were mandated in 1986 when Military surplus arms were once again allowed to be imported into the US.
The import markings were to be placed on ALL imported firearms wether they were military surplus or commercial sporting arms (new or used).

In 1968 the GCA stopped all importation of Military surplus firearms, Antique status Milsurp firearms like Gew88 rifles and some Italian Carcanos made before 1899.
(Odd how the Kennedy assassination rifle that started all the gun control hype and the GCA68 gets a pass from the very law it inspired and is imported anyway.)
Commercial sporting long guns were importable. Handguns had to make the 'points system; and still do to be importable.

Andyd · Jul 29, 2016

sheepdawg said:
I found a picture of a Chinese copy made at the Hanyang Arsenal with the prefix AL before the serial number. Rifle has a very similar finish and stock. A German made Mauser of this type would have the BUG or BUGN proofmark on the side of the receiver.

The Chechs have a longer handguard. I think you nailed it!

Chiang Kai-shek rifle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

alwslate · Jul 29, 2016

I think it's a Turkish Mauser. Many have been imported since the doors
opened again in the 80s. They are basically the Czech 1922 pattern
long rifle with straight bolt handle and curved receiver markings. The
AK prefix to the serial number is Turkish I believe.

A Mauser "what is it" post

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