German Mauser-Commercial Identification ?

Adirondacks

March 15, 2015 11:39

I have a Commercial German Mauser Bolt Action Rifle in 8 x 57, slab sided stock, light colored, finely checkered wood w/cheek piece,horn butt plate and grip cap, w/Double Set Triggers, Barrel is 22 1/2 inches in length and has "Krupp Stahl" on it, Barrel is Octagon to round and has an integral rib, folding leaf sights (2) set into rib, light engraving around barrel near receiver ring; Receiver is engraved and front receiver ring has "3 gG.B.R."over "S.G."; Floor Plate and Trigger Guard are engraved and isn't hinged; All Screws and Bolts are engraved. Only this number,"5864" w/"bb" beneath the number is stamped on the top root of the bolt and on the top of the Mauser Safety.

Identification Assistance:Who manufactured this rifle,where,when, Rifle Model and approximate value [?]

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  rufe-snow

  March 15, 2015 12:14

  It should have many more proof marks than that. The German proof laws dating to the early 1890's, were very specific, and rigidly enforced.
  
  The ones you noted, "3 g G.B.R." over "S. G." predate the First World War. They refer to the 3 gram load of the powder "G.B.R." used for the proof load. Using a steel jacketed bullet, "S.G."
  
  If there are no other proof marks on the rifle? I would have to say it was build for a American G.I. after the end of W W II.
  
  As it was a personal transaction, making a custom rifle for a American serviceman. The German gunsmith used salvaged parts, from earlier manufactured rifles. And ignored the proofing requirements.
  
  
  
  
  
  EDIT #1
  
  The use of lowercase letters in the rifles serial number. "bb", denotes the rifle to originally being manufactured, in a German military arsenal. Commercial Mausers didn't used lowercase letters in their serial numbers.
  
  No matter, the quality and condition of the rifle. It's origin as being a military rifle. Built by a German gunsmith after the war from surplus parts, would have a negative effect on value. IMHO.

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  nononsense

  March 15, 2015 13:58

  Adirondacks,
  
  There are other proof marks on your rifle you just have to remove the barreled action from the stock to find them. They will be on the flat of the bottom of the receiver ring, the sides of the rear tang and the underside of the barrel.
  
  If you do not locate any other marks, then the rifle has been sanitized which is near to impossible given the German Republics dedication to proof marks along with surrounding countries, including Great Britain.
  
  If for some reason this 4-digit number does have something to do with the original serial number, it is from 1902 and was released with a 1/2 round, 1/2 octagon barrel. However there is no mention of engraving which again would be most unusual for German record keeping.
  
  My guess before revealing what you find under the wood line is that this was an original military rifle manufactured in the 4-digit blocks for the military. Bear in mind that over 100,000,000 M98 rifles were manufactured by Mauser and tracking one individual military rifle will be impossible.
  
  If this is a 4-digit block rifle then it was rebarreled and engraved by one of the hundreds of local gunsmiths either for another soldier or possibly an American.
  
  Best.

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