New to me 7x57 small ring mauser

[MS 9x56]

I just purchased what appears to be a small ring 7x57 mm hunting rifle with half round and half octagon barrel with a full length rib on top of barrel. Built by Willi Karl in Luneburg Germany in 1940. Proofed in Ulm. It has double set triggers and a Schnabel forearm. Stock has some gouges on left side but otherwise in good shape. There is no mauser markings on it, just maker and town. It has 2 leaf fold down rear sight, 1 marked 100 and 1 marked 300. Front sight appears to be solid silver. Can't wait to get it out and shoot it. Should make a fine hunting rifle. Grip is checkered and it is fitted with sling swivels. There is quite a bit of fancy scroll engraving.

 

[WAB]

Pictures please!

 

[F. Vaccaro]

Sounds very nice & the 7X57 is a great ctg.

 

[MS 9x56]

Finally able to get some pictures.

 

[MS 9x56]

Not sure what my phone is doing but here are some of the markings.

 

[degoins]

A nice sleek, slim little beauty!!!

 

[375er]

What is the barrel length?

 

[Shootist43]

You don't see a lot of those. I like it. Are you going to get someone to fit a set of rings and a scope to it? How is the bore? Where did you find it?

 

[MS 9x56]

I am going to use it with open sights. Bore is nice and shiney with sharp rifling,

What is the barrel length?

doesn’t appear it was shot much. Found it at a gun shop in PA. It is the only one I have ever handled with the Matt full length rib and half round half octagon barrel. Once I put it to my shoulder it was all over but the paying. Going to get her to the range this weekend weather permitting. Will be shooting 175 grain round nose. Is there really any other load for this beauty!

 

[MS 9x56]

What is the barrel length?

I believe about 25” but will check it this evening.

 

[MS 9x56]

What is the barrel length?

Just measured it at 24”. Seems longer due to the short forearm. The set trigger did not work so when I separated action from stock I turned the adjustment screw out to reactivate the set trigger. It works very well now but when set the front trigger pull is ounces not pounds. When using front trigger unset it is a bit under 6 pounds. Now I know why it was adjusted the way it was.

 

[Ravensview]

Love the look of that barrel

 

[MS 9x56]

It is gorgeous and there is absolutely no glare or reflection off the barrel with that rib. I can’t wait to carry it hunting.

 

[Kraut]

You might find this helpful, Sir:

 

[Kraut]

What a wonderful classic rifle. Enjoy it on your hunting trips!

 

[MS 9x56]

Thank you for that information. The German guns sight is where I got my information on proof marks. The shop I bought it from believed it was a GI bring back after WWII. Sure is a lot nicer than most I have seen. I was suprized they were still making hunting rifles in Germany in 1940.

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

Congratulations

What a sweet little rifle in a very desirable caliber. Even though you plan on using iron sights it would really be nice to have the original scope and claw mounts. Since it uses the original flag safety the mounts were probably fairly high.

 

[Nhoro]

Congratulations

What a sweet little rifle in a very desirable caliber. Even though you plan on using iron sights it would really be nice to have the original scope and claw mounts. Since it uses the original flag safety the mounts were probably fairly high.

That sounds like a good plan-probably need to root around a bit to find them but it would be nice to have the original parts. Even if you put a modern scope on for actual hunting. Beautiful rifle.

 

[Kraut]

Hunting rifles were produced till nearly the last days of WWII. From, I think, may 45 on the Suhl gunsmiths build hunting guns again for some soviet officers/political commissioners. There was no great delay, as far as I read in texts by AxelE.

 

[Denvir Tire]

I'm so jealous...
Call Mark at NECG in New Hampshire for claw mounts