Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Mauser 93/95 - What Do I Have?

I posted this on the Gunsmithing forum as well.

The other day I was cleaning out a closet and ran across something I'd forgotten I have. It is a rather rough "cock on close" Mauser barreled action, sans floorplate, magazine, and trigger guard. The only thing I have is the barreled action and bolt.

The barrel is about 24 inches long, and is stepped down in the old military style. The bolt handle has been modified to accommodate a scope, and the knob itself is only half round (flat on the bottom). The serial number on both the barrel and action is four digits. The only other stamping is along the left side of the action, "Deutsch Waffen und MunitionsFabriken" and under that it is stamped "Berlin". I have no idea what caliber it might be, but my guess is 7x57.

My uncle, who was an amateur gunsmith and spinner of yarns extraordinaire, gave it to me in about 1973 or 1974, along with a stock that had been roughed out but not completed. He had done a few 8x57 M98s before, but never got around to finishing this one.

Any idea what I have and/or when it might have been manufactured?

Thanks.

Not a gunwriter but if the bottom of the bolt face is round most likely a 95, originally chambered 7x57. Flat a 93, also originally a 7x57. Get it checked out by a gunsmith as to actual chamber though. Some of these were later "converted" to 308 sometimes with bad results.

The "Surplus Military Rifle" forum has plenty of info on these and also the 308 conversion. Look in the South American rifle section.

I've got several 95 7x57s. If they've got a decent bore and headspace they're good, safe shooters with reasonable loads.

Thanks. I didn't even know there was a Surplus Military Rifle forum, but certainly not surprised.

If the bolt has a guide rib like an M98, but only two lugs, it's an M94/96 Swede.

I'll post a pic when I get home this evening.

Thanks.

M93?

93 or 1916.

There are no other markings on it other than the serial numbers, a couple of numbers/letters on the barrel (proofs, my guess), and the Deutsch Waffen/Berlin tagline on the left side of the action.

It'd cost way more to finish the build than it's worth so I expect I'll just put it back in the closet. Maybe my daughter will go to gunsmithing school and use it as a project.

M95 is my bet, the berlin markings most M93 say Oviedo on them. MM

Rev I have a slightly similar one however mine has a date stamp of 1897 and marked OVS indicating it was made for Orange Free State.

Best I can work out mine is a 95 pattern too.

It was sporterised many years ago and I've been using it with mild loads (it's a 308) since 1984.

The flat bottom on that bolt says it's an 1893 Mauser.
Paul B.

You have a DWM 93 pattern Mauser. The flat sided bolt knob is not original to the rifle, someone has ground it off. A good possibility that it is from a contract sent to the Boer states during the Anglo Boer war there. Bent bolts were preferred by the Boers because they did not get hung up as a straight bolt would. Many sent there had no markings other than the SN.
In 1896 the firm of Ludwig Loewe, who had been making that pattern rifle, changed their name to DWM. My guess as to the year of manufacture would be 1896 - 1899.

"The flat sided bolt knob is not original to the rifle, someone has ground it off."

I strongly disagree. I've had several M93 Mausers and each and every one of them had a flat bottom on the bolt nose, just as is shown in the photo. One was a very nice custom made in some small British shop that was a close copy of the Rigby. Still kicking myself for selling it off.
Paul B.

BOLT KNOB, not bottom.
One sided flat bolt KNOBs were primarily WW2 time frame on various 98s.
Yes, all are in agreement that the bolt has a flat BOTTOM and is a 93 pattern.

yes

yes