Brenneke M98 sport

[hopkid]

Hello All,

I have spent some time just browsing this forum and reading but just decided to join. There is a ton of information on here, thanks to all who contribute. I am a native to New Hampshire, I sport shoot and hunt.

I have decide to join so I could post; I am trying to find out some more information about my father's hunting rifle. To the best of my knowledge, this rifle is a modified Mauser model 98. It was built by Brenneke in Leipzig Germany sometime between 1912 and 1939. It is chambered in 8mm Mauser, 8x57. (I have to admit, I am not familiar with the 8x64 brenneke, but am interested in why this rifle isn't chamber for that if it was indeed manufactured by the Brenneke Co.). I have seen a few m98s, but never one quite like this. Any information anyone would like to share would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[waidmann]

hopkid, you lucky dog

A good German rifle tells a story. Get a photo of the underside of the barrel and we may even get the date of manufacture. A start: 8X57 would equate with 30-06, x64 about .300 Win., X68 like a Weatherby that Brenneke designed proprietary cartridges is just part of their story. GBP Gewehr Blaettenpulver or Military Flake Powder and StmG is Stahlmetal Geschoss or a steel jacketed bullet. There is a possibility you have a .318 rather than a .323 diameter 8mm. The underside of the barrel or slugging the bore will answer this. Your proofs fall into the 1912 to 1939 range. Your scope mounts are the Suhler Einhochsmontage, Suhl superior Claw mount.

.318=8X57I .323=8X57IS may appear as J or JS

Post some more pics!

 

[Mp7]

very awesome rifle.

Might be Brenneke stayed with K98 specs for quite a while.

no info sorry.But nice gun.

 

[Dr.Rob]

It's made for export, most likely to a British retailer.

Why wasn't it in 8x64 Brenneke? Germany had just lost a world war, oddball calibers probably weren't getting exported in huge numbers. This looks like 'standard' quality grade rifle meant for private sale in Britain or the Colonies. There were mountains of 98 actions avaialble post WW1 to convert into sporting arms.

 

[Rancho Relaxo]

cool rifle, and what a pretty stock!

 

[waidmann]

The 8x64 was not a popular export.In 1912 the Germans were developing express rounds for their own colonial customers. Also, there are no British proofs visible. 8x60S is also a post war possibility. Oberndorf sent plenty of actions to Rigby, Parker-Hale and others. The Brits played their own caliber games, Jeffery, Rigby, Holland & Holland, and Westley-Richards were running wide open and highly prejudiced. Rigby sold the 7X57 as .275 Rigby!
I've never seen an 8X64, a few 7X64 and 7X65R's, a few 8x68S (1940 origin). The real deals were Bock's 9.3X62 and Brenneke's later 9.3X64. Dating from 1905 and 1910 you can buy one today, both older than .375 H&H and in a medium action.

 

[hopkid]

Thanks for the response

Thank you all for the info. I did not take down the rifle to look at the rest of the barrel/action, I'm not sure I want to disturb the way it is; there is no other markings visible under the barrel though. Here are a few more pics.

I do not have a set of gage pins to check the bore diameter, I'll put that on the list of things to do though.

 

[waidmann]

Hopkid, the marking I speak of are on the underside of the barrel very near the action. If you change your mind get some gunsmith's screwdrivers so you don't bugger the screw heads. I really recommend you remove it from the stock for a good cleaning and to ensure no nasty things are happening in there.

To otherwise determine the true caliber you can with a dowel gently drive a small lead slug through the bore and measure it. Or have a gunsmith make the determination.

I don't want to write a book but you do not want to fire .323 bullets through a .318 barrel. Best wishes for ther New Year.

 

[hopkid]

I will put it on the list to do; it might be a while before I get a chance to spend more time with the rifle. Thank you for your help, I will post again when I have some results.

 

[waidmann]

Please do, itmis a very interesting piece.