Sporting Mauser Value
A gun trader buddy of mine has what appears to be an old Mauser hunting rifle.I don't know much about Mausers,but I know a fine,well built rifle and this is one.It has a half octagon,half round barrel and double triggers.The scope base looks like it is for claw mounts,and it is 9.3x63 caliber(I think).The gun overall is about 75%.I need advice on what it is worth.He is probably stuck with it because of the odd caliber so he may listen to an offer. Thanks
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It sounds like either a true comericial mauser, or someone spend some big bucks converting a military rifle
It's probably a 9.3x62 (not 63) This cartridge isn't all that rare on this side of the pond anymore. CZ seems to be selling a fair # of rifles in that caliber.
Power wise (as I remember) it's right in the 375H&H Mag range (if I'm wrong someone will correct me).
Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.0 -
In my humble opinion, the caliber is the drawback on this gun. Otherwise, it would bring over $1000--maybe $1500.
Rifles like this can be great fun and education in getting set up to shoot. If you could buy it for $500 it would be a bargain (again, my opinion), but I doubt he will take that for it. If you get serious about owning the gun, be sure to check what loading dies and bullets will cost. That might be a "limiting factor" for you.
Also, with rifles of this one's obvious age, be sure to look closely at the stock aroung the tang and wrist area. Wood that old is bad about getting dry and splitting. A small crack in the wood may make you want to reconsider everything about owning the gun.
Respectfully,
Rafter-S
"What is truth? No wonder jesting Pilate turned away. The truth, it has a thousand faces -- show only one of them, and the whole truth flies away! But how to show the whole? That is the question."
--Thomas Wolfe, "You Can't Go Home Again" (1934)0 -
My suggestion to you is to make a Chamber Casting and ascertain the Actual Caliber FIRST...! Then keep in mind that You will go thru Holiheck trying to find a Scope with the CLAWS that fit the Base's on this Mauser.....It kinda sound's like an Old Brenneke Caliber...? But need to have a Chamber Casting to be sure...Value is going to depend upon the actual Caliber and Scarcity ....Does it have Safari Sights on the Barrel..? These are 3 Flip up Sights?..Keep me posted as to what You find out....Then I might be able to help you.......
Captain Kirk, Tech Staff0 -
One other thing, be sure to check the brightness of the bore. Usually, owners of fine old rifles kept them in good condition. But it could have fired corrosive ammo in its early life, so checking the bore is a good idea.
Respectfully,
Rafter-S
"What is truth? No wonder jesting Pilate turned away. The truth, it has a thousand faces -- show only one of them, and the whole truth flies away! But how to show the whole? That is the question."
--Thomas Wolfe, "You Can't Go Home Again" (1934)0 -
Actual Mauser sporting rifle are quite rare as only arond 127,000 were ever produced from 1897 to the start of WWII (although a handful were made during the war) and many have lost, destroyed, or otherwise altered. If this is a true Mauser sporter in 75% condition, it will be worth a thousand dollars or more if rare. The 9.3X62mm caliber was very popular and used in the Model A rifles, Model B, and also available in the Africa Type rifles- as well as a few produced in other models. ALL Mauser sporters are serialized starting with #1 and continuing until the end of production, there was no special number range assigned to each individual model. What is the serial number on this rifle?
The Model A rifles were built fot the English market and had patterns number 1,2,and 3 had 24" round barrels. Patterns 4,5,and 6 had octogon barrels. Patterns 10 and 11 had 22" round barrels. All had single triggers. Your rifle does not match any of these types.
The Model B rifle barrels were available in round, half round- half octogon, and full octogon. Most Model B's were fitted with double set triggers and lever realease floor plates. The most common rear sights were one standing leaf and two folding leaves, regulated to 300 meters. There were 16 variations of the Model B and these patterns fit the description of your rifle: Pattern 121 and 142 were all available in 9.63mm, had double triggers, round octogon/ barrel, and included a mount for a telescopic scope of "first class" quality. If you rifle has the three leaf sights, I think we found it.
Without seeing this rifle I cannot varify ANYTHING about its value or even whether of not it is a true sporter, but few people would bother to convert a military rifle into the 9.3X62 caliber. It does sound like a Model B to me, at least based on the limited information you've supplied. I hope this helps you.
Mark T. Christian0 -
buddyb,
You will definitely need to post a picture or advise further the markings on the arm. Also, if the claw mounted scope is missing, expect to pay mega bucks for manufacturing a replacement. You may be in a favorable position if the scope and mount is missing. As suggested, check the bore-many of these old sporters have the bores worn out. I do love these old hunting rifles but the actual purchase price may become unloved after restoration/manufacturing. 1010 -
Hello Buddyb! You are talking about my all time favorite big game rifle caliber. To me the 9.3X62 chambering would hardly be a draw back but an asset. With the right loads,these rifles will do anything that the .338 Winchester Mag. or the 35 Whelen will do plus haveing the advantage being able to use heavier bullets. In Europe rifles are still being produced and cartridges are still being loaded. At one time in Africa,the 9.3X62 was considered THE cartridge for lion and has in fact taken every type of game there both plains game as well as the dangerous types. I have taken Elk,Moose and Musk Ox with complete success. I use the Barnes 250 grain X bullet and H-414 powder for most of my shooting,but also use the 258 grain RWS H-Mantel bullet when I can get a hold of them. The H-Mantel is a far better bullet then the Nosler. The Nosler is just a cheap knock off of the H-Mantel. If at all possible I would stay with the original. Some points about Mauser rifles chambered for the 9.3X62 are these: 1) Most Mauser rifles built before WWII were built on the military length action which limited overall cartridge length to 3.29 inches. Also,the rate of twist was one turn in 16 inches. 2)Modern rifles in this caliber such as my Sako AV are built on the long action and allow for an overall cartridge length of 3.70 inches and thus greater powder space. The pitch of the rifleing has also been changed to one turn in 12 inches. 3)Modern rifles like the Sako are much stronger then the model 1898 Mauser allowing more powerfull loads to be used safely. My standard load for the 9.3X62 will drive the 250 grain Barnes X bullet at 2650 fps from a 23.5 inch barrel. Several of us who use the 9.3X62 on a regular basis have tried for several years to have Randy Brooks at Barnes Bullets bring out a 230 grain Boat Tailed X bullet for smaller big game,but to date no luck. A 230 grain bullet could be driven to well over 2700 fps in a modern rifle. It would be a great improvement over the 232 grain Norma Cup Point bullet that we are stuck with at the present time. Best of luck with your rifle, Scout 0 -
Thanks for the info.The rifle has no sights,and I will check the serial numbers to see if it is a commercial model.It has no mounts or rings so how much of a nightmare will it be to get it scoped?It is too nice of a rifle to alter. 0 -
Claw mounts have been the traditional mount in Europe ever since scopes were first used for hunting. To this day there are few mounts which allow the scope to be removed and re-installed as quickly and conveniently as a claw mount, with the fact that it returns to zero with near perfection. Claw mounts are NOT interchangable. Each mount was carefully fitted at the factory, with the scope of choice, to very close tolerances. You are going to have to pay a visit to a skilled gunsmith to put optics back onto this rifle. It may be possible to use some sort of adaptors to convert the claw over to ring mounts, but that will still need to be done by a gunsmith. If this rifle is a real Mauser sporter, I feel it would be worth the effort. If is is not original I'd save my money.
Mark T. Christian0
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