Snapping Mauser style claw extractor over the rim

[Luvthunt]

As has been said before the expierence and willingness to help on this forum is outstanding. None better .
Many thanks to ALL those who participate.

 

[Major Khan]

During the time of my career as a professional shikaree ( 1961 to 1970 ) , all the Mauser 98 action rifles brought to India for shikar by my clients HAD to be fed from the magazine. This included best grade bolt rifles built by bespoke English gun houses , such as Holland & Holland and Westley Richards .
Below , I have provided a photograph taken from my soft copy of the 1958 catalog for Holland & Holland . Observe , how it is clearly stated that the rifles must always have their cartridges fed from the magazine.

There used to be an American company however , named " Fred Wells " . In their bespoke bolt rifles , which were built on Mauser 98 actions , they would always bevel the extractor by default in order to allow the extractor to snap over the rim of an extra cartridge.

And yes ... I have seen 3 bolt rifles belonging to my clients , which were built on Mauser 98 actions and had the ejector break , when the operator attempted to snap the extractor over the rim of a cartridge .
The pre 64 Winchester Model 70 , however .... That 1 was a different story.
The operator could " top off " the magazine capacity with 1 extra cartridge by getting the extractor to snap over the rim of the cartridge directly being put in to the breech .

 

[baxterb]

That’s some good info Major Khan. Yes, many makers take special care to make sure their Mauser-based rifles can handle snapping the extractor over the rim by, as you had identified, properly beveling the extractor blade.

This is another reason why it’s very important to have your rifle assessed by one who knows.

Your career as a shikaree sounds very interesting. I have a soft spot for Manton, Rodda, etc. rifles that were destined for the Indian market.

 

[Major Khan]

That’s some good info Major Khan. Yes, many makers take special care to make sure their Mauser-based rifles can handle snapping the extractor over the rim by, as you had identified, properly beveling the extractor blade.

This is another reason why it’s very important to have your rifle assessed by one who knows.

Your career as a shikaree sounds very interesting. I have a soft spot for Manton, Rodda, etc. rifles that were destined for the Indian market.

Thank you , Baxter B. I had actually been to the Manton shop in Kolkata when I was 8 years old , with my maternal grand father . There used to be a brass cannon on display outside . After 1947, when India won her Independence .... new fire arms and ammunition ceased getting imported into India . My maternal grandfather went to Manton with 100 Rupees and purchased all the remaining stocks of ICI Kynoch .405 Winchester calibre ammunition which Manton had , left over .

 

[baxterb]

That’s a great story. I recently saw a Manton that had some really lovely engraving with kalasha(?) vases on the sidelocks. Absolutely beautiful rifle that has a foot in both worlds, so to speak.

 

[Major Khan]

That’s a great story. I recently saw a Manton that had some really lovely engraving with kalasha(?) vases on the sidelocks. Absolutely beautiful rifle that has a foot in both worlds, so to speak.

Oh no , baxterb . That is not Kalasha . That is Shangskreet language on the Manton double barreled rifle.

 

[Clodo Ferreira]

Hello baxterb,

Perfect description of the function of the true Mauser 98 feeding-extraction system.
Mayor Kahn, I will love to read your hunting stories in India!!
In a true Mauser 98 action it is possible to feed and chamber another cartridge over a full magazine as in a Winchester 70 pre 64, but not feeding the cartridge in the chamber. The procedure is: press a cartridge over the top one already in the magazine and move the bolt with care until the lower part of the bolt face makes contact with the upper part of the cartridge base. At this moment release the pressure on the cartridge and the rim will be under the extractor claw. Not always is possible in all the Mauser actions, depending how much the last cartridge can descend in the full magazine. I can do this without any issue in my Mauser 1935 7x57, in my FN .30-06 and in my BRNO ZKK 600 9,3x62.

Best!

CF

 

[baxterb]

Oh no , baxterb . That is not Kalasha . That is Shangskreet language on the Manton double barreled rifle.

Just so we are on the same page, here is the rifle I was looking at. That vase in the middle i was told was the 'kalasha' vase. But I'm open to correction - educate me please!

Cheers

 

[Major Khan]

Just so we are on the same page, here is the rifle I was looking at. That vase in the middle i was told was the 'kalasha' vase. But I'm open to correction - educate me please!

Cheers

That vase is a Hindoo cremation urn , called " Dakalash" , Baxterb . After cremating their deceased , Hindoos use these urns to scatter the ashes into the " Buri Ganga " / Ganges river using these Dakalash urns . No doubt , this Manton rifle was made for a Hindoo land lord or nobility.
You are very close in your own assessment . " Kalash " means water jug in Hindi . They look similar in Hindoo art... However , the Dakalash ( whenever drawn / engraved on an object ) will always have plants / vines or flowers growing out of them in order to signify re birth ( which is crucial to all followers of the Hindoo faith ) .

 

[baxterb]

Excellent! Thank you for the clarification - fascinating stuff. Makes me like the rifle even more.