ID This One?
A member on Mauser Central came across this and wanted an ID, I've never seen anything like it. Looks to be a prototype, but the serial number seems to indicate more than one was made.
Here is a description of how it operates with a few pictures.
It has an unusual type of action involving a rotating barrel with locking lugs. The barrel and locking lugs rotate clockwise and move forward to accomplish extraction and ejection of spent rounds. Moving the barrel to the rear chambers another round out of the magazine and cocks the striker mechanism then again rotated counter clockwise into the locked breech and ready position. The magazine can be loaded from the action open position or loaded from the side much like a lever action. Rifle is equipped with a Mauser style bayonet lug and cleaning rod. Another unusual feature is a magazine capacity indicator located just behind the trigger guard. The Barrel with lugs can be removed from the action and butt stock for "take down". The serial number "5" is stamped upon all internal trigger group & action parts. No visible proof markings on barrel or receiver.
The front receiver ring is marked - FNA MEXICO 1918
The left side of the receiver is marked - FUSIL "MEXICO" - 7M/M- MOD_B (PAT_17183) - The right side of the butt stock is marked FNA MEXICO
Owing to the unusual configuration and low serial number of this piece, perhaps it may be an experimental or national ordinance "field trial" gun?
Here is a description of how it operates with a few pictures.
It has an unusual type of action involving a rotating barrel with locking lugs. The barrel and locking lugs rotate clockwise and move forward to accomplish extraction and ejection of spent rounds. Moving the barrel to the rear chambers another round out of the magazine and cocks the striker mechanism then again rotated counter clockwise into the locked breech and ready position. The magazine can be loaded from the action open position or loaded from the side much like a lever action. Rifle is equipped with a Mauser style bayonet lug and cleaning rod. Another unusual feature is a magazine capacity indicator located just behind the trigger guard. The Barrel with lugs can be removed from the action and butt stock for "take down". The serial number "5" is stamped upon all internal trigger group & action parts. No visible proof markings on barrel or receiver.
The front receiver ring is marked - FNA MEXICO 1918
The left side of the receiver is marked - FUSIL "MEXICO" - 7M/M- MOD_B (PAT_17183) - The right side of the butt stock is marked FNA MEXICO
Owing to the unusual configuration and low serial number of this piece, perhaps it may be an experimental or national ordinance "field trial" gun?
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To be honest, I have never seen one of these despite my passion for mauser rifles. Back several years ago there was a company making "california legal" firearms such as "pump action ak-47's". I'm curious as to if this "mauser" is one of that manufacturers prototypes. You might research it online. Let us know what you discover. Best 0 -
WTH I know MEXICO took a 1911 type pistol and redesigned it to have rotating barrel lock up. but I can't in useful purpose in the design of this rifle. Are you sure this is not a FRENCH design[:0][;)] 0 -
It is a French design, but it was "supposed" to be semi-auto. Perhaps, the French were just throwing together "firing" guns from parts on stock and selling to Mexico. That time period in Mexico had some strange and many "one-off" firearms being used. Mexico was in debt to just about every gun maker in the world back then. 0 -
You may want to research the name Mondragon. In the late 1800s, the MEXICAN Army fielded a semi-auto gas operated rifle in 7mm Mauser. While the basic Mondragon differs from your pics in several particulars, there are a lot of resemblances. 0 -
I think the rotating barrel is a take down feature.I believe the gun is operated by pulling back on the knurled rear of the bolt to cock it and then it's semi-auto.The semi-circular rear sight is unique.It looks like you can loosen the lock nut and slide it to the rear ,raising the elevation.There's probably metric numbers on it.I've never seen one like it. 0 -
Interesting rifle, about all I can tell you that it was made by Fabrica Nacional de Armas (FNA) in Mexico City. The national Armory of Mexico. 0 -
Don't know how much help this is but it is a good read.
http://www.militaryfactory.com/smallarms/detail.asp?smallarms_id=455
SIG had the first contract so maybe they could help0 -
The Mondragon was my first thought, but this rifle is dated 1918, and the Mondragon was patented in 1887, so hardly a prototype for that. 0 -
Just for grins, try the National Firearms Museum at the NRA. Fairfax VA. 0 -
Amazing to me that a low-tech struggling country like Mexico would even consider design and manufacture of a firearm with so many proven desings out there, at the turn of the 20th centruy and shortly after.
You would think they would license a Mauser design, lease manufacturing equipment and bring over consulting engineers to run their manufacturing operation.0
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