South American Contract Mausers

[CZU]

It always amazed me how these rifles can be found in such remarkable condition. The fit and finish was always the best and to build something like this today would be, in my opinion, up there with a custom built rifle. There will never be anything like this mass produced again.

This is the latest pick up, an 1895 Chilean rifle in 7x57mm built by Ludwig Loewe of Berlin. It's practically unissued and only has a few dings here and there, mostly on the stock. When I saw it I knew it had to come home with me.

 

[DWalt]

I have the corresponding Brazilian version, but mine is more of a relic.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

They just don't get any better than that.

 

[Trooperdan]

May I ask how many bens for that beuty? Most from South America more closely resemble fence posts or firewood!

 

[pmanton]

You must have used a time machine to purchase that when it was new!

 

[biku324]

Don't expect K-98s from Africa in that condition.

 

[2152hq]

That's what my Ludwig Loewe/Berlin Model 1893 7mm Mauser looked like that I bought for about $15.00 w/bayonet at a GunShop.

Of course that was about 1964
Pick the one you wanted out of a wooden crate of them

 

[LVSteve]

May I ask how many bens for that beuty? Most from South America more closely resemble fence posts or firewood!

The South American long rifles turn up in good condition probably because they are big, unwieldy, heavy, and there are shorter, more handy alternatives available. In my collection I have a very nice matching Brazilian 1908 long rifle. With its 29 inch barrel, it is a massive lump, but in near mint condition.

The OP's rifle is particularly fine in that it has either not been sanded or has been very sympathetically sanded only where absolutely necessary. I think mine has been sanded, either that or the stock stamp was badly done. See picture. Other than that my wood edges look good, so who knows.

By contrast my Czech built 1908/34 short rifle is a lightweight model (Vz12/33) with a 22 inch barrel. They are much handier, lighter, but tend to arrive in the US rode hard and put away wet having spent a lot of time outside in the Brazilian climate. Mine is a fine example with a close to sewer pipe bore and plenty of pitting under the wood. It's a great shame, because it is one of the few balanced Mauser designs IMHO.

You can find 1908 long rifles cut down to short rifle length at the Itajuba factory. They are usually identifiable by their long rifle length rear sight and having "FI" over "MOD 08-34" stamped on the butt. I have one that has seen a fair amount of use, but the bore is in good shape. It is a much handier rifle than the Czech Vz 24 or a k98k. See picture.

 

[CZU]

I have the corresponding Brazilian version, but mine is more of a relic.

There were some near new 1935 Brazilians that showed up here years ago. I knew about them but fooled around and never got one.

May I ask how many bens for that beuty? Most from South America more closely resemble fence posts or firewood!

I won't say how much but probably overpaid. The last one that I saw and bought was about 15 years ago and it was in a little lesser condition than this one. Seller guaranteed 100% matching but when I got it in my hands it had a mismatched bolt. How you can miss something like that is beyond me, it went back and I got my $650 back. And you're right, South Anerica can be quite inhospitable for wood and steel.

Don't expect K-98s from Africa in that condition.

That's why I picked SA, you can find them in the best or the worst condition.

The South American long rifles turn up in good condition probably because they are big, unwieldy, heavy, and there are shorter, more handy alternatives available. In my collection I have a very nice matching Brazilian 1908 long rifle. With its 29 inch barrel, it is a massive lump, but in near mint condition.

I have read that before, if I had a choice I wouldn't be lugging one of these around either. That's probably why you don't see carbines or short rifles in this condition.

The OP's rifle is particularly fine in that it has either not been sanded or has been very sympathetically sanded only where absolutely necessary. I think mine has been sanded, either that or the stock stamp was badly done. See picture. Other than that my wood edges look good, so who knows.

I think your stamp looks good, either a problem with the stamp or it was poorly applied. As for sanding, I looked very closely at this rifle before it came home with me. I had looked at it 2 times actually, it was competing with another gun so I just bought them both.

 

[LVSteve]

I think your stamp looks good, either a problem with the stamp or it was poorly applied. As for sanding, I looked very closely at this rifle before it came home with me. I had looked at it 2 times actually, it was competing with another gun so I just bought them both.

Like a boss!!!

 

[SF VET]

Like others here, back in about '60 or so, I was mowing yards for fifty cents, a buck if I did extra trimming and edging. There was a Kresge five and dime within bike riding distance from me, and I would ride up and look thru the barrels of surplus rifles. First, a 303 1915 NO 1 MkIII, which was in great shape, shot it for years, but several years ago, decided to find a new barrel for it, as it was shot out. Got a new WWI barrel, and had an experienced Enfield gunsmith rebarrel my first rife, along with tuning the rest of the gun. Was $10 to buy, and another $300 for the gunsmith. Also among the others I bought was a mint 1891 Argentine Mauser, 7.65 Argentine, complete with cleaning rod. I does have the crest ground off, and my dad would take me shooting with it long years ago. Not long ago, found a perfect bayonet for it.

The workmanship and bluing of these vintage rifles is just amazing. Kids like me could buy just about anything back then, which all changed with the Kennedy assignation.

Nice rifle, ... SF VET

 

[Walter Rego]

Here is an interesting YouTube video of some guys opening a crate of Brazilian Model 1935 Mausers. They had been untouched since 1937. Somehow the tin lining in the crate had failed. They didn't mention whether the discoloration on the stocks of many of the rifles was something that came right off with a wipedown of mineral spirits or the like. It would be interesting to know.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JvUikvx0N4[/ame]

 

[LVSteve]

That's quite a drool fest.