Pics of new toy, 1916 Spanish Mauser

[7mmsavage]

I recently found this at an LGS. I wasn't really looking for a Spanish in particular, but I've wanted a shooter Mauser for some time. I really liked the size, and the wood on this thing is fantastic. My pictures really don't do it justice.

The sale tag on it said only Spanish 8mm. I've got a bunch of surplus that I bought for my 98K, which has basically become a safe queen, so I brought it home.

I don't know much about these, just what I've been able to find on the web. First of, it wasn't 8mm at ll, it's 7mm. I'm not unhappy about that, but the 8mm would have been easier for me, no more new calibers to buy. It has very few markings, just serial #'s on the receiever, barrel, and bottom metal, all of which match. Ive found no other markings on it. I conclude that this is either a scrubbed or simply unmarked model 1916, probably assembled from earlier made parts. My only gripe, which for the life of my I don't know how I missed, is that the sights are both canted to the right. It may shoot fine, I don't know yet, but it does make it slow to get a sight picture.

Anyway, here are the obligatory pics.

 

[HankC]

I is a beauty. It is a small ring, 7mm is the correct caliber, not designed for 8mm. 7mm is actually a better round in my opinion.

 

[Ignition Override]

You're lucky to find an original non-"sporterized" 7mm which was Not converted to the Nato 7.62 chambering.

 

[Stophel]

Wow, never seen a Spanish Mauser that looked so nice! Spanish walnut usually is not terribly attractive!

Looks like your barrel needs to be screwed in just a hair tighter!

 

[NCsmitty]

Congratulations, it seems to be a fine example of that era Mauser. and should be 7mm Mauser caliber, if original. You can check the bore size by slugging the barrel, or measuring inside the muzzle across the grooves with a vernier. Should be around .284".

I don't believe that any surplus ammo is available, but there is decent commercial choices available. If you reload, the boxer primed fired brass will save you in the long run.

http://www.midwayusa.com/find?sortby=1&itemsperpage=24&newcategorydimensionid=9847


NCsmitty

 

[7mmsavage]

Looks like your barrel needs to be screwed in just a hair tighter!

You know, I wondered if maybe that's the case with this rifle. I don't know the procedure used when these rifles were assembled. I guess it's possible that a populated barrel was installed and as long as the headspace checked out, it was considered acceptable? I plan on renting gauges and checking the headspace before I shoot, just for that reason.

NCSmitty, thanks for the link. I do reload, and hopefully I can even use the same bullets as I use for my 7mm mag loads.

 

[ThomasT]

Yes you can use the same bullets. Also RCBS makes a case forming die so you can make cases from 30-06 brass. I did this for my 7 and 8mms when I couldn't find factory brass for them.

Nice rifle too.

 

[kiskicowboy]

With the 93 action Mauser rifle, check the headspace with a "Field" guage. They will often show as exessive with the "Go" "No-Go" guages, as the chambers were oversize to accommidate loose spec military rounds. If it closes with the "Field" guage, then the headspace is exessive.