Identifying this Mauser and the cartridge it takes

[SkullKeeper]

The bore mics roughly about 0.350 +/- at the muzzle. The magazine box length measures 3.30” internally. And that’s about all I know. I will get a chamber cast made this week but if someone can provide some insight it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[SkullKeeper]

 

[Hoofnit]

Probably 8mm or 9mm x 57, chamber cast would be the real way to identify it positively…looks a bit like an original Mauser sporter, but I suspect it’s built from parts (not original) it’s cool nonetheless

 

[SkullKeeper]

Probably 8mm or 9mm x 57, chamber cast would be the real way to identify it positively…looks a bit like an original Mauser sporter, but I suspect it’s built from parts (not original) it’s cool nonetheless

A .358 bullet will almost go in the muzzle - my thoughts are it’s a .358 something. All the receiver, bolt, and barrel numbers match so not a parts rifle but seems to be a rebore and maybe rechamber

 

[deewayne2003]

I’m no expert, but I’m putting my bet on 9x57

Basing that on bore diameter and magazine length.

 

[steve white]

Seems I remember that .358 IS 9mm? I think friends were once discussing how lucky it would be to have a 9mm bore come out exactly .358 due to bullet choices. There is a lot of variance in "9mm"

 

[SkullKeeper]

Seems I remember that .358 IS 9mm? I think friends were once discussing how lucky it would be to have a 9mm bore come out exactly .358 due to bullet choices. There is a lot of variance in "9mm”

I was thinking that 9mm is .360” … but as you say there probably is a variance

 

[mark-hunter]

It is stamped as 7.9
In my opinion this is: 7.92×57mm Mauser. (also known as 8mm Mauser, or 8x57)
Commercial designation 8x57 JS
Bullet diameter .324

 

[Huvius]

It started life as an 8mm Mauser but if it has a .350” bore then I’d think it would be rebored to something like a 35 Whelen.
The 9X57 is possible but I don’t know why anyone would choose that in a rebore.
btw, the 9X57 uses a .356” bullet but most owners just use .358s when reloading.

 

[John Telford]

It is stamped as 7.9
In my opinion this is: 7.92×57mm Mauser. (also known as 8mm Mauser, or 8x57)
Commercial designation 8x57 JS
Bullet diameter .324

Started as a 8x57.
It’s not a 9x57 or it would say 9mm ie metric.

 

[John Telford]

Serial number?
This looks suspiciously like a Rigby especially the longer bolt.

 

[mooze]

It is stamped as 7.9
In my opinion this is: 7.92×57mm Mauser. (also known as 8mm Mauser, or 8x57)
Commercial designation 8x57 JS
Bullet diameter .324

agree, military 98 with double /german set trigger.
Pic one has a S&S stamp ( Sauer and Sohn)?
the N under the crown should be Liege Nitro proof mark
it is still the military barrel. therefore the 7.9 mm, but someone whacked a 35 into barrel and receiver, so maybe 9x57 after all?
K98 usually have a 3 letter code as of place of manufacture.

Need more pictures to make a call about place of origin.looking at the left side of the receiver could help.

 

[SkullKeeper]

It is stamped as 7.9
In my opinion this is: 7.92×57mm Mauser. (also known as 8mm Mauser, or 8x57)
Commercial designation 8x57 JS
Bullet diameter .324

I stuck a .323 bullet in the muzzle and it had a lot of room on each side.

 

[SkullKeeper]

Serial number?
This looks suspiciously like a Rigby especially the longer bolt.

Serial number is 3131

 

[SkullKeeper]

agree, military 98 with double /german set trigger.
Pic one has a S&S stamp ( Sauer and Sohn)?
the N under the crown should be Liege Nitro proof mark
it is still the military barrel. therefore the 7.9 mm, but someone whacked a 35 into barrel and receiver, so maybe 9x57 after all?
K98 usually have a 3 letter code as of place of manufacture.

Need more pictures to make a call about place of origin.looking at the left side of the receiver could help.

Left side of the receiver is completely blank, no sign of any marking even under intense light source.

 

[Sika98k]

Serial number?
This looks suspiciously like a Rigby especially the longer bolt.

Other way round. Rigby’s look suspiciously like Mauser 98 rifles ‘cos they are !

 

[SkullKeeper]

I thought I had put this photo in with the rest , sorry fellas, hope this piece of the puzzle helps.

 

[GuttormG]

Markings will not help, its barrel has clearly been re-bored to something bigger then 8mm by someone who didn't have to or care enough to mark it properly.
A chamber cast will give the answer.

 

[grand veneur]

It is very difficult to judge a rifle based only on photos. The proof-marks seem to be German. N under a crown means that the rifle is Nitro proofed. 7,9 mm is the designation for a barrel caliber 8mm/323. However, the stated relatively weak proof-load of 2,75g powder suggests a weaker cartridge than the 8x57IS. The magazine length fits a cartridge with a 57mm case. Since the diameter of the barrel is rather .358 than .323 and taking into account the reduced proof-load, it is quite possible that it was a rifle initially caliber 8x57IS rebored to caliber 9x57.