Mauser caliber?

[dasmi]

My brother was given a Mauser made in 1909 today, by his girlfriend's mom. It's got some surface rust, but the bore is in decent shape.
I am only aware of Mausers chambered in 8mm, but the bore looks too small for this to be an 8mm. Were these guns ever chambered in anything else?
I'll get pictures later, if I can.

 

[dasmi]

The gun is marked "Mauser Modelo Argentino 1909"
and
"Deutsche Waffen-Und Munitionsfabriken Berlin"

 

[Sharps Shooter]

Actually I'm a lot more familiar with the 7mm Mauser than I am the 8mm Mauser. Spain, Mexico, and several South American countries used the 7mm Mauser as there service cartridge and there were a good many Mauser rifles chambered for it.

 

[hank327]

Argentine Mauser

That rifle is probably chambered in 7.65mm Argentine.
Not to be confused with the 7X57mm or 7mm Mauser.

 

[dasmi]

The bore is definitely smaller than that of my Mosin-Nagant M44, in 7.62x54R, so I don't think the Mauser is chambered for 7.65 Argentine.
I'm going to take it to a smith to find out for sure, but I'm guessing 7mm Mauser. Anyone else have any input?

EDIT:
I also just noticed a crest on the gun. It has a sun, with a face, rising over a wreath, with two hands holding what looks like a stick with a night cap on it. Any ideas?

 

[mustanger98]

The only 1909 Argentine Mausers I know of were chambered for 7.65. Better slug the barrel.

 

[db_tanker]

I have seen several chambered in 7x57...this was, of course, before Argentina decided on their own chambering, the 7.65 Argy....this is a keeper, sir...restore and enjoy...do not bubba the rifle, por favor.


US made factory 7x57 will be just fine, of course after the 'smith lays hands upon the iron and blesses it.

I have a German contract mauser in my sights as we speak that has an Argentine accent...and its still in its original 7x57 as well...but it has been sporterized...but it still looks worth the money he is asking for....


D

 

[Father Knows Best]

this is a keeper, sir...restore and enjoy...do not bubba the rifle, por favor.

+1. Argentine Mausers are some of my favorite milsurps. They're second on my list only to the Swedes. Both the Argentines and the Swedes are finely crafted firearms.

 

[Jim K]

Mauser had three standard calibers, 7x57, 7.65x54, and 8x57. The Argentine Model 1909 was chambered for the 7.65mm, not the 7mm. If the barrel is not original, of course, it could be chambered for almost anything; a friend has one in .22-250, certainly smaller than 8mm.

Jim