Information regarding rifle

[Deepraj patil1616]

Hello members, my cousin wants to buy this rifle, I am uploading photos. Want you people to guide me about this rifle and also want to know if this rifle can shoot 8×57 rimless cartridges? It is stamped 7.9 on barrel.

[eljefe]

Seems a to be a Mauser 7.92x57.
It has interesting factory stamps.
It’s a good cartridge, and if the metal and barrel are fine,will be good to go. 7.92x57 is sometimes called 8x57.
More details are here.
Measure the distance between the guard screws and get a wood sporter stock from Boyd’s in US.

The cartridge is derived from the 7x57 and packs a decent punch. I have a similar mauser, made in Turkey- hence called Turk Mauser, in 1933.
Still does a boring 1-1/2” all day at hundred. I put a Butlers creek synthetic stock and a Redfield 3-9 on it.

About 10 years ago I landed up at a service match without the usual 6.5 x55 swede-only for ‘service calibers’ and on a whim, went upto 600y with it. 8” group with barely handloaded ammo( the night before)

More info here

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/7.92%C3%9757mm_Mauser

GL

[Deepraj patil1616]

Should we try shooting 8×57 cartridges...?

[eljefe]

Yup. Modern 8x57 JS - the rifle in the picture is dated 1937 should be safe. the older commission 1888 Mausers were chambered for for the 318” dia projectile , called 7.92 J
However, a gunsmith check to ensure everything is in working order, guard screws tightened to 40 inch /lb torque and no barrel obstruction etc is very essential

[Deepraj patil1616]

Ok, thank you.

[marksman]

This one looks to be a war trophy brought back from Nazi Germany as the proof marks suggest. As eljefe mentioned, have it checked with a competent gunsmith before feeding and shooting the ammo to be safe. It feeds on what is commonly known as 8x57mm Mauser and are available in plenty in India as well. .
Good Luck

Marksman

[timmy]

This rifle looks like a Mauser Oberndorf M98 style rifle made on contract for Portugal -- the receiver crest is that of Portugal. My suspicion is that it wound up in India from Portuguese service in Goa.

It appears to be in very nice shape and may be worth some collector's value, and if the bore is in good shape, it could be a fair shooter, as well.

Let us know how things go -- if your cousin does actually buy the rifle! It looks good to me and if the price is right, it could well be one to grab and hold on to.