Mauser -Werke model 66 3 barrel set

[ofbiro]

A question to Mauser 66 rifle owners and/or experts:
-how is the front sight mounted in its base, legthwise or crosswise?

I am asking on behalf of a friend who lost front sight and tunnel after a fall in the forest.
The sight base oh his "Stutzen" (full stock) has a lengthwise slot, while the sights sold by Messrs. Brosch, (distributor of spare parts of Mauser old models) have a crosswise dovetail.
An exploded view on Numrich Gun Parts site clearly show lengthwise mounted sight but, to add a touch of mistery, the spare parts view included in the Mauser 66 owner's handbook do not show the front sight, neither the muzzle area.

Thanks in avance to the colleagues.

 

[Clodo Ferreira]

heres a couple of pics to show the difference in size from a 3006 version compared too the big game-safari one....hope this works!

View attachment 491947View attachment 491948

Hi Mark,

To me they are screaming to swap scopes!!!! Very easy between two M66!!!

 

[Altitude sickness]

I hope you bought that package deal.

 

[Markinnz]

yep, though the 375 works good with the scope set at about 3power as it pulls a lot of light in.Mate got whacked by it though as he climbed the stock. I just like using it with the scope off as it handles fast and is short. On the front sight issue mine have the older banded type, but the newer rifles like the 66s or 66sm use a Williams front sight.

 

[mark-hunter]

Has anyone any idea on this? Ran across it today at gunshop.
Mauser Werke model 66

Once considered as luxury rifle at least in my place. They were quality product, that never reached full popularity and that (in my opinion) lead to temporary diminishing of the brand from market, probably due to this lack of overall popularity and this was probably due to cost of high quality product.

Arguably model 66 can be viewed as ancestor of modern Blaser rifles.
This was Walther Gehmann patent, purchased by Mauser factory around 1965 and started production in 66. (I wonder why they did not stick to 98 design?)
This was basically a last notable commercial rifle by Mauser, till after their full revival as a part of group balser-sauer-mauser.


Model 66 Has telescopic bolt, and is modular gun with exchangeable barrels.
Bolt face must match the caliber family
There were four sizes of bolt face.
12.2 mm bolt head (from 5.6x57, up to 9.3x62 including also 243 win, 270 win,. 7 x64, and 6.5x57)
12.65 mm bolt head, for 9.3x64
13.1 mm bolt head for 6.5x68 and 8x68
13.58 mm bolt head 7 rem mag, 375 HH, 458 win mag, 300 win mag.

Allegedly, it was one of favorite rifles of Marshall Tito.
Famous photo of him holding Mauser 66 with one of his trophy bears from Bosnia. (photo from internet)

 

[Clodo Ferreira]

Hi Markinnz,

As I said, that great Zeiss Diatal 4x32 (I bought one new and still have in use it since 1972, mine without rail) would be great in your 375, covering the need for a scope in a rifle like it and as a bonus, lowering the total weight.
That Diavari 2,5-10x52 is one of the very few made with this configuration, 2,5-10x, in the last era of the Zeiss non centered reticles. Perfect for the 30-06 in my opinion.
In spite these scopes are not totally sealed, with some extra care can be used successfully. More so with the claw mounts they have.
By the way I have also a Hensoldt Diasta 4x32, the same as the Zeiss Diatal but with a steel tube and somewhat older in the other 7x57 rifle. I have used both rifles-scopes in some wet weather in Patagonia taken care to not go from a cold place to a warm one, like going from the outside below cero temperature to inside a warm cabin or house. No problem with internal fogging. Doing the contrary, can be a problem even in a modern scope...

Good luck!

 

[Clodo Ferreira]

Hi Mark B.

Nice M66 set!!!! The price is, to me, a little high but not too much...The cartridges combination is a very good one in my opinion!!

Good luck

CF

 

[yukonspirit]

Hi,just joined the forums,I have 2 Mauser 66 rifles,ones a 1966 model Europa that’s engraved etc in 3006 and the other is a model big game,which is a 375 h. The big game model is a lot heavier and the bolt action unit is larger then there magnum,also the magazine length is longer then the magnum version. its possible to get custom barrels in 404,416 Rigby etc though these would be made in Germany. I’m very tempted to see if I can get a 338 Laupa made for mine there’s a gun maker in no who could do it. These rifles are very well made and very accurate,far more than just a take down rifle. wished that was in no,I’d grab it and see about sorting the 458 into a lot. cheers Mark

Hi Mark, I just acquired a couple M66 rifles, including a 9.3 x64 that I might take to South Africa. People have said that they are not great in dusty conditions and the actions may jamb. What is your experience? Greetings from British Columbia

 

[Markinnz]

Hi,yeah i have heard of the rumours of 66,s jamming but have never had it happen,or seen real reports of actual jams though im in NZ and we dont have those conditions. I have heard the same thing about Blasers. I think theyd be ok as the sniper versions were used in desert type conditions and were good.The only thing i think to be carefull of would be not to stuff up the retaining bolts if changing the barrel.The other thing would be a supply of ammo,maybe a 375hh barrel might be better. cheers Mark

 

[Wayne t]

There’s a few of these in an auction house in the uk this month I believe I’ve never used one but they do look good I’m stuck on my steyrs though so probably not for me