So now I have this Peruvian mauser...

[Koobuh]

Ace Hardware in Lynden is like a box o chocolates.
You never know what you're going to get.

Saturday's special was a Peruvian mauser, modelo 1935.
All matching numbers, and from the '.30' stamp on the receiver bridge, chambered in .30-06 (previously 7.65 mauser). No import marks.
It was made by FN Herstal on contract for Peru, along with a bunch of other rifles destined for South American countries.

Beyond the non-trivial rust accumulation on the magazine and parts of the receiver (which, hopefully, is mostly dirt and should come out with oil and elbow-grease), it's in decent shape. Absolutely beautiful bore, and the stock is pretty OK for its age and apparent care regimen.

$109, plus tax, baby. Apparently it was brought in by a collector divesting himself aggressively- no idea as to the truth of this.

I'm mostly posting to brag, but also to ask what else I should know about the rifle. Particularly its value, though less for the purposes of flipping than the care I should take in preservation, and insurance value. The only other 1935 Peruvian I found online was over $350, but more than likely the rifle was in much better shape than this one. The 'cool' factor is more than enough for me to hold onto it.

 

[Jim Watson]

If the chamber has been reamed to .30-06 in the .311" barrel, and it has "non-trivial rust" then it is worth $109, tops.

 

[Koobuh]

From what I've read, most of these mausers were converted to .30-06 (presumably re-barreled) by Peru, so they could use the .30-06 they got from the US in them.

Most of the rust is turning out to be dirt, so that's not a worry so much.

 

[Gordon]

A beautiful gun not equaled by anything new for less than $500

 

[chestnut ridge]

I would like to see some pictures. These Peruvian mausers are among the
best quality ever made. It should be a real shooter. You really stole
it for the price mentioned. If you feel guilt; I can just buy it and ease
your conscience. Just kidding; I have one in the original caliber.

 

[Vaarok]

About a fifth of fair market. Congratulations, you magnificent bastard.

And they were completely rebarreled, don't worry. So you've got a new bore there, probably.

 

[Koobuh]

Update:
Just cleaned up the metal, and there actually was quite a bit of pitting on the receiver and other parts.
Finish is pretty poor too, the baked-on stuff is almost gone.
That's not to say it's out of working order, but the value isn't there.
In any case, it's worth more than I paid for it, so I'm happy, and I look forward to shooting it.

As soon as we find my father's digital camera we'll get some pictures up.

 

[TimT]

Koobah, I just picked one up last night for 75.00-the action along with the fact how easily it is recognized as "Mauser" was pretty exciting. Bush Alaska has some surprisies, many "old" rifles of many sorts are just stashed away into forgetfullness.

Its condition is pretty rough overall. Stock is junk. The sights both front and rear have been replaced. One has even attempted to knock the rear ladder base with a hammer off- simpletons I first noted the .30 stamp behind the charger hump and that was a surprise that a Mauser had that chambering.

I will buy the vise/wrench to take bbl. off and go thru the action best I can and send it off. Thinking either 375 Ruger or a 416 Ruger or a 9.3 x 62 - the Mauser caliber would be fitting.

 

[dogngun]

I saw one with almost no rifling left in the bore for almost $200 a few months ago.
You stole it.
It's an FN Mauser, hard to beat it.
Try a Wolff spring kit to ease the trigger pull and speed up the lock time.

Mark

 

[TimT]

weeeell I think it was a fair price. the riflings appear to be strong but I have no bore scope to verify. I believe from the FN Historicals point of view they did not make this rifle, their stamp is on it but it is called a Peruvian 1935 and not a FN Model 1935-seems confusing I know.

a nice action nonetheless-no rust.

 

[CaptainCrossman]

weeeell I think it was a fair price. the riflings appear to be strong but I have no bore scope to verify. I believe from the FN Historicals point of view they did not make this rifle, their stamp is on it but it is called a Peruvian 1935 and not a FN Model 1935-seems confusing I know.
a nice action nonetheless-no rust.

old thread but crucial topic- yes that IS an FN rifle, and yes FN did make it, if it's stamped Fab Nat'l on the side, it's FN built. You misunderstood the FN Historicals posting, no offense to you but the Historicals posting is confusing and should be changed. What they meant was, 1935 Mondelo was a Peruvian gun model designation, there was no "FN Model 1935" made by FN for the Belgian armed forces, or any other armed forces. It was strictly a Peruvian model designation, and actually called a "Mondelo 1935" in the Peruvian language of Spanish. Basically that addendum on the FN Historicals site, is useless trivia. They then go on to state the FN Belgian Model 1935 was a totally different gun- which adds to the confusion. What I've found is, you have to read between the lines with these gun descriptions when researching, many of the historical accounts are flawed and contradictory !

your gun is a solid find, I just bought one yesterday w/2 boxes of ammo, for $156, in a synthetic sporter stock. I'm very impressed with it It's every bit as good as my BCD German Mauser 1943 sporter.