Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Shot My 1937 Oberndorf Mauser 98

In 8mm (7,9mm) Mauser.



I bought this rifle some thirty years ago, and have never shot it. It appeared to have never been shot since coming out of the Oberndorf factory in 1937, thus my hesitancy, but I decided to shoot it some.



The history of this rifle is interesting. It was actually made when Germany was severely restricted in the manufacture of arms for their military, i.e., under the terms of the Versailles Treaty. But they found a loophole allowing them to produce as many military arms at they liked, and that was to mark them as commercial rifles, i.e., leaving off all military markings. They were allowed to manufacture commercial arms, so they just made "commercial" arms that were identical in characteristics to military arms.

My specimen is, feature-wise, about halfway between what was a standard German military Mauser 98 in WWI and what would eventually become standard in WWII. Notice the carbine length, but the straight bolt handle, for example. Also, the rear sling swivel is under the butt stock, like in WWI, but during WWII they changed that to the side of the butt stock. There is also no provision for a front sight protector, which only became standard during WWII. Another feature is the WWI style butt plate, whereas most WWII specimens (other than the very earliest) featured a steel butt cup, to better protect the wood during rough handling.





I shot some military surplus 8mm from Greece, manufactured in 1940. In thirty rounds fired, I had one primer fail. Not bad for 80 year old ammo.

Here's a group from fifty yards. I think that's about 2.5 inches. As you can see, it was high and to the left.



I used a brass hammer to drift the front sight to the left. Little by little, I got it to where it was impacting directly over the red dot. Then I put the target out to 100 yards, where it was still centering perfectly, but was about four inches high (with the rear sight set at 100 yards - or is it meters?). Groups at 100 yards were about 4.5 inches.

I'm sure it's mechanically capable of much better, but the ammo was old (likely each round pushed bullets out at significantly different velocities), and my eyes aren't what they used to be. Still, better than typical AK-47 accuracy.

I bet with new quality ammo, and a scope, this rifle could make small groups at 100 yards. I'll get to work drilling and tapping for a scope mount next week - NOT.

Nice rifle.

That zero is about perfecto.

What a beauty.

that ammo is prolly corrosive, windex is your friend.

nice rifle though,

That is a good looking rifle, even in military configuration.

Iron sights are a challenge for tired old eyes, ain't they? Not that I know, but I've been told.

Thats a nice Mauser!!!!!

Yep, I cleaned it like it was a black powder rifle I just shot, i.e., with moose milk, which is mostly water, but partially Ballistol. The water component will flush out the salts, and the Ballistol will preserve the steel.

Looks great

Not entirely germane to the situation but here is my 6.5 Obern 1908

Fajen stock, barrel bobbed, cerokote

That's a beauty, TRH.

MM

This was one good day in the history of the Hawkeye.
That furniture has been well preserved over all of those years.

I saw a 24/48 (?) at Big 5 some years back still in csmoline but I didnt have 200. The bluing would gave made weatherby proud.

Nice find

That’s a dandy…and it took how long to shoot it? Shame on you..

Good looking rifle TRH.

Nice rifle.

You have a fine rifle TRH, as you well know. I can use the Mauser sights much easier than I can our Springfield. Paul Mauser was one of the most brilliant men I know of and even yet today his design is what others are compared to and copied.

Yes, this rifle has never seen military service. It has been well cared for since the day it left the factory.

Wunderbar!! Hubsch!!!

I love the Mausers and that is a beautiful Mauser. I bet that old Greek ammo is the problem, I bet you get some good ammo it will shoot 1 inch groups.
That rifle was invented in 1898 and even today when the SWAT team needs a really good rifle for one particular shot, where do they turn?

They turn to a Mauser, or a variation thereof. No substantial improvements since 1898.

I love the Mausers and I have 4 of them.

Nice that is. When are you going to get an old rifle?

One with a flintlock action?