Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters how to identify model and age of Mauser Rifle

I am trying to determine which Mauser Rifle I have. It was previously my dad's, and i may be forced to sell it. I have looked at different websites and auctions only to find a range of prices from $295-$14,995. What identifiable markings should i be looking for?

Thank you in advance,
August

I own a few, but am not an expert. The first thing would be to determine if it's an old military rifle. Many were "sporterized" for hunting use. Mine were made by FN, not Mauser, but have Mauser actions. Does the barrel get smaller evenly from the breach to the end, or does it have a series of step-downs? Also, what's the caliber?

I'll go check. I'll try and post a picture or two as well.
Thank you very very much for the help.

it is a 7x57 and has a steel plate displaying MAUSER on the butt of the gun. The actual barrel appears to get smaller evenly, but there is notch or thin ring around the halfway point of the barrel.The barrel is very wide at first but quickly tapers down to be consistent with the remaining and majority of the barrel. I've taken a few pictures and will post them.

trust me August, pictures will go a LONG ways in helping to identify a Mauser. i have two of them myself, and just describing them wont help you much. pictures will give away any little things like Markings or hinged bottom metal that will help us tell you what you have.

and by the way, Welcome to the 'Fire.

I feel so much better already. thank you for the being so welcoming and helpful.

any way you can make those pictures full size?

so far all i can tell you is that you have a Manlicher style stock, and it looks like there is a set of sights on it as well.
and you have a barrel band which is probably what is holding the sling swivel on.

need pictures of the bottom metal, and any markings on the gun.

yes there are a few more pics i will post now. The barrel snaps on and off with a push of a button and can be fired immediately after attaching it without re-adjusting anything. When i was younger i remember watching my dad do this and gather a respectable crowd.one man in particular ended up trying to trade 3-4 of his fancy guns (i was young and thats all i remember about them), for the MAUSER.

Hi August,

Mine are 7X57s also. As Ironeagle suggested, it would be good to see the whole gun in a photo. I would also expect that a shot of the breach from the top down (close-up) would show more about the manufacturer. 7X57 is a popular hunting caliber (formerly a military caliber) in Europe, I think the "Mauser" on the butt, along with what I can see of the barrel, makes it a commercial/sporting gun, not a military conversion. It will probably be worth more than a military conversion. The highest value ones you've seen for sale are probably custom rifles on a "Mauser action." This means either a Mauser-style action, or that somebody built an entire gun around an existing Mauser action (not the barrel, stock or trigger).

Let's see more of this one (if you have time). The quality of the stock, the scope, the bluing on the gun and the action will all contribute to its value.

I was remiss in not welcoming you to the 'Fire too, but I'm a newbie also!

i assume that this picture is the bottom of the bolt handle?