8x57 Spanish Mauser Ammo quandry...

[Dave DeLaurant]

[incorrect surmise/advice deleted]

Very nice stock. The edges around the finger grooves haven't been sanded down like many of the Spanish M1943 short rifles I've seen. Interesting dual sling attachment points too.

Here's what Robert Ball has to say about this model:

 

[.455_Hunter]

Back to the original question: do a chamber casting!

Your rifle may be a mixmaster, with a replacement 8mm barrel stuck on a receiver marked 7.62 (which in 1953 would have been the Spanish CETME loading -- long story, read Full Circle by R Blake Stevens if you're curious.)

Basic rule, particularly if you prefer walking without a white cane and service dog: when a milsurp rifle has two (or more) different, contradictory markings, assume nothing and ALWAYS confirm chambering and headspace before you think about shooting it.

BTW, very nice stock and receiver markings. The edges around the finger grooves haven't been sanded down like many of the Spanish M1943 short rifles I've seen. Interesting dual sling attachment points too.

Ummm...

The receiver says Cal 7.92- go back and take a peek at the picture again.

A chamber cast is never a bad idea, but let's at least give the OP advice that's starting off on the correct floor.

 

[troy fairweather]

Never know could have had a 3006 reamer used always do a cast, or try a 06 round of you got one see if it chambers.

 

[.455_Hunter]

Never know could have had a 3006 reamer used always do a cast, or try a 06 round of you got one see if it chambers.

Yes, the gun could be re-chambered, but how is the 7.62 receiver discussion pertinent?

 

[CryptKeeper5]

I think I'm confident with the 7.92 considering my father had "8x57 Mauser" dies also in his stuff. It's the only one he had....Just didn't know the difference in the ammo designations. But thanks to everyone who took the time to respond!

 

[Mosin77]

Guys, the Spaniards went to 7.92mm after the civil war ended. Their old 7mm guns were all shot out anyway so it probably wasn’t a huge decision to decide to go with the bigger round, then in use by their ally Germany, and it was a decision shared by other countries around that time (Italy, Japan come to mind) to move up to something with more punch.

There is no reason to suspect this is anything other than a bog-standard M43 Spanish military rifle, produced by the thousands and imported here also by the thousands. Chambered in regular old “8mm,” “8mm Mauser,” “7.92x57,” “8x57,” “8x57 Mauser,” etc.

 

[JT-AR-MG42]

Glad to hear you have stayed on your feet through this one.
European ammunition designations make sense to Europeans, maybe?

Sorry to hear of your Father's passing.
Nice that he did not leave you with a pile of stuff
that contained more questions than answers.
Now you did mention you had caliber questions on an '85 Winchester?

JT

 

[PzGren]

Remember the 700rd. Of Turkish 8x57 they used to sell for 49$ out of SGN? I miss those days.

I remeber those days. I had also bought several lots of 1,000 rounds of surplus 8x57IS in .50 cal ammo boxes for $70 delivered from Paragon in the days of Shotgun News. I also still got 1,000 Israeli surplus round in boxer primed cases left.
The 8x57 IRS was quite common among German hunters that used them in Drillings.

La Coruna had an order for 98 Mauser rifles from Israel in the 1950s, for 8x57 IS and also for .308WIN that were not delivered and were unissued. Those were later sold on the civilian market.

I still have one K98k left, the others that I selected for above average accuracy, were given to my sons. The I in 8x57 IS stands for Infanterie, it is not a J.

 

[CryptKeeper5]

Now you did mention you had caliber questions on an '85 Winchester?JT

Yes, I'm sure it's a .22cal of some sort. Just not sure which one. It's an 1894 model according to the serial number (68915) Has a scope and a very short barrel. It functions perfectly and doesn't appear to have been shot much.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

Ummm..The receiver says Cal 7.92- go back and take a peek at the picture again. A chamber cast is never a bad idea, but let's at least give the OP advice that's starting off on the correct floor.

You're right and I stand corrected, thanks.