Skip to main content
Help Center Community Shop

Oberndorf Mauser info... help please?

Collectrix
Hi all,

Am trying to learn some information about some militaria items belonging to our family.

Any help in identifying this rifle? More information? I'm interested in value, but I'm also interested in the history, manufacture and use of the gun as well.

I'd appreciate any information you might be able to give.

Best Regards,

Collectrix

http://coupled27.smugmug.com/Other/Mauser/24031237_M9ZJdL#!i=1950986363&k=wqF7pZh

http://coupled27.smugmug.com/Other/Mauser/24031237_M9ZJdL#!i=1951110887&k=8BG8JLf

http://coupled27.smugmug.com/Other/Mauser/24031237_M9ZJdL#!i=1951111306&k=HFs2G3L

http://coupled27.smugmug.com/Other/Mauser/24031237_M9ZJdL#!i=1951111838&k=WSWbRsK

http://coupled27.smugmug.com/Other/Mauser/24031237_M9ZJdL#!i=1951372819&k=9K9DG8x

http://coupled27.smugmug.com/Other/Mauser/24031237_M9ZJdL#!i=1951373112&k=wt6dcth

http://coupled27.smugmug.com/Other/Mauser/24031237_M9ZJdL#!i=1951373949&k=4Bdwsp9
0

Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • perry shooter
    Hello In my opinion this fine quality rifle was never a MILITARY rifle.
    It I believe was a civilian model from the beginning . It was at one time a high quality rifle. "Matt finish on receiver ring,Great leaf rear sight and really unusual bolt cocking piece. All matching serial numbers and butt plate with trapmade by Mauser" used for hunting. I may have been a 8X57 but then rechambered for 8MM Norma. I really don't know but only guess what NORM denotes. The Rifle could be a WW II bring back. Somewhere in it's life it has had some rough treatment . If it were mine I would have a chamber cast made BEFORE any attempt to shoot this rifle
    0
  • Collectrix
    Hi Perry,

    This was definitely a vet bring back, as it was brought back by my father-in-law who was an Army Chaplain.

    I do know that whatever happened to the gun, happened prior to it being brought back as these items have been in an attic for a very long time.

    I don't know if the gun will be fired again. I want to learn about it and either to learn how to preserve it to be handed down, or to sell it if there is a serious offer.

    May I ask what NORMa and/or NORM mean?

    Thanks for responding.

    Collectrix
    0
  • asphalt cowboy
    Unless I miss my mark, that would be a pre-war Oberndorf Sporter Type M Pattern 720.

    The 8x57 Norm(al) chambering is the 8x57JS which uses the .323 bullet.

    Hopefully nononcense will view your post and pics. His knowledge base, and library, outweigh mine ten fold.

    At any rate your rifle isn't military, but an actual Oberndorf Sporter.

    Very nice rifle and well worth keeping as a family heirloom.


    :instead of posting follow-up posts use your edit button. ATE threads are locked after ten posts:

    Yes, that is indeed a hunting rifle suitable for game up to moose and some lighter skinned African game.
    As to who or what type of person may have originally owned it can only be guessed at. Mauser Oberndorf lost a vast majority of their records durring the war.

    Many rifles brought back by returning GI's, and were referred to as "cigarette rifles". Given rationing and shortages German citizens were trading most anything of value for cigarettes, food and other life necessities.

    Just as with any modern? rifle, the Oberndorf Sporters were catalogued in various grades hence the Type and Pattern designation.
    Regardless of grade they were fine quality rifles highly prized by their owners.
    0
  • Collectrix
    Hello asphalt cowboy,

    So, you think the gun would be used for hunting? Something else? Is it possible that a military person owned it? Not sure how my father-in-law might have come across it, though he did bring back some other non-military items (some of which can be viewed at http://coupled27.smugmug.com/).

    My real concern about keeping these items is that I don't really know how to preserve them they way that I believe they should be. It feels irresponsible to just let them continue to deteriorate.

    In any case, I appreciate you taking a look and commenting.

    Regards,

    Collectrix
    0
  • charliemeyer007
    I favor the (norm)al being .323, easy to check. Very nice rifle.

    After the war there great heaps of confascated guns. Some folks look through the pile and selected choice items. A hand made 32 ga double bbl that has the bbls move foward then pivot to the the side for access to the chambers. A true work of art by a watch maker was one such item that I have seen and heard the story from the guy first hand.

    I just gave away a BYF 44 that is a twin for yours but mine was bubba modified. Shoots good even though the milling and stamping are rough.
    0
  • Tailgunner1954
    NORM = Normalized IE: chambered to the industry standard vs chambered to what the gunsmiths/makers "propriety" version of the cartridge was.

    At one time each maker had their own variant of different cartridges, and only cartridges purchased from the maker would fit that rifle. When CIP was formed, most cartridges were standardized (Normalized) to a given set of dimensions.
    0
  • p3skyking
    It's got BUG proofs so it was never military. DOM probably late twenties to early thirties.
    0
  • Hawk Carse
    I can't add anything to the discussion of the Mauser hunting rifle.
    Well, I could, but it would be more for my information than yours and not now worth the space.

    I looked at your album and you have some Nice Stuff. The other firearms are good quality name brands even if not up to a Mauser sporter. But they are as you say, deteriorating. The little Remington .22 is getting pretty rusty. I would at minimum go after them with some oil and a coarse cloth to get the active rust off and protect them from further oxidation. No fancy methods or materials required at this stage, just get some "gun oil" at Walmart or Dicks, apply generously to all metal parts and rub hard with a rough rag.

    The Nazi memorabilia is worth a good bit to a certain sort of person.
    0
  • gary wray
    quote:Originally posted by Collectrix
    Hello asphalt cowboy,

    So, you think the gun would be used for hunting? Something else? Is it possible that a military person owned it? Not sure how my father-in-law might have come across it, though he did bring back some other non-military items (some of which can be viewed at http://coupled27.smugmug.com/).

    My real concern about keeping these items is that I don't really know how to preserve them they way that I believe they should be. It feels irresponsible to just let them continue to deteriorate.

    In any case, I appreciate you taking a look and commenting.

    Regards,

    Collectrix



    Collectrix....thanks for your questions. Our guys in WWII were looking always for something they could "liberate" from Germans....whomever got this had a good eye. Probably came from a private German who liked to hunt and had some dough....it is certainly a sporter and the guys on this GBATE Forum have it pegged. I personally love the Mannlicher look and this rifle has it in spades. It is very well made by a well known maker and is worth some good money. If it was mine, I would keep it for the memories of my FIL and his service to our country. Who knows how he got it, but most likely he did not himself go out looking for a collectible rifle (being a chaplin) but rather got it from some other GI who did...but who knows?
    0
  • nononsense
    Collectrix,

    This is a Commercial Mauser made in Oberndorf.

    It was made in late 1939 according to factory records and was chambered in 8x57 Normal as pointed out above (0.323" groove). The .318 groove dimension was abandoned in 1905. The manufactured date is verified by the proof marks containing the term 'crown over N' defining Nitro proofing. In 1940 this mark was changed to read 'Nitro'.

    'crown over B' is proofed in assembled form.

    'crown over U' is Final Inspection proof.

    'crown over G' indicates a rifled barrel proof (post 1924).

    The bolt handle is referred to by Mauser as a 'flat bolt handle' but the Americans have often named it a 'butter knife bolt handle'.

    The floorplate has the lever release instead of the more common recessed button.

    The trap door buttplate is an upgrade and is a bottom open with the Mauser banner which is the most common. It covered the cleaning kit openings.

    The barrel is referred to as a 'Lauf Type E' pattern. (my favorite)

    The trigger is a double set sporter trigger which is common on the European rifles but not so common on the ones exported. The rear trigger 'sets' the front trigger to a very light weight of pull but creates a feeling of a longer firing pin travel.

    The stock is a full stock by proper definition.

    Care:

    Have a knowledgeable and careful gunsmith take it apart and give it a good cleaning. Be sure to tell him that you will not be shooting it and to advise the best conditions to preserve it. If he can't do this, let me know and I'll send you a detailed e-mail of what to do.

    Best.
    0

Please sign in to leave a comment.

Recent Activity

Didn’t find what you’re looking for?