Turkish Mauser Question

[220_Swift]

A while back, I posted that a Turkish Mauser my dad has is market 7mm, and 8mm. I finally looked last night when I was over their. This is what is says.


Bolt side of barrel left to right:

MADE IN TURKEY 8mm CAl ST ALB VT


On other side left to right:

CAl ST ALB VI MADE IN TURKEY 7mm


Any thoughts or ideas? I am guessing it was mis-marked at the armory? Or it was orginally chambered for something other than 8mm? Thanks for any input.

 

[cracked butt]

those are import marks from century.
what markings are on the receiver?

if you take a .30 bullet and place it in the muzzle, it will drop straight through if its an 8mm.

 

[Aguila Blanca]

I take it this is an OLD Turkish Mauser?

A good many 1898 Turkish 7mm Mausers were later rebuilt into 8mm rifles. The Turks had a unique contract with Mauser, that essentially called for keeping their national arsenal up to current specs. So I expect that the 7mm marking is on the receiver, and the 8mm marking is either on the barrel, or was added to the receiver after the rifle had been rebarreled.

Betcha it's an 8mm. (7.92mm)

 

[220_Swift]

It is an 8mm. No where on the receiver does it say caliber, unless it is in sandscript, or what ever you call these turkish symbols. The info I posted, is on the exposed barrel near the muzzle.

Thanks for the info.

 

[Pork Fat]

Century Arms monkeys double stamped it. Not the worst thing they have ever done.

 

[ball3006]

The very early Mausers...

for Turkey were in a 7.xx caliber. The ones on hand were converted to 8mm in the 30s. I think you can find this info over on Turk Mauser. A google search will find the site.....chris3

 

[Dave Markowitz]

When Turkey (in the form of the Ottoman Empire) first adopted Mauser system rifles, they were chambered in 7.65x53. Later on they adopted 8x57. Both rounds are larger than .30 caliber (i.e. 7.62mm).

AFAIK no Turkish rifles were ever chambered for 7x57.

If in doubt, have a gunsmith do a chamber cast to confirm what it's actually chambered for.