Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Mauser Sporter Purchase: What do you think?

Hi John,

Several years ago, our common and crazy friend, Roger Roberts, bought a rifle that he knew Chub could not live without. It was a German double rifle in 9.3Xsomething.

Chub didn't know what to do with it, so he shipped it to me with about 500 Speer 9.3 boolits. The request was, "develop a load that shoots well, with both barrels printing at the point of aim at 100 yards."

Uhhhhh, that was a bit more difficult than Chub knew. Or perhaps even cared about.

Over the next three or four months, Chub's 9.3Xwhatever double rifle went to the range twice each week. I was working hard for Varmint Hunter, not that they gave a [bleep], and was at the range often.

Eventually, I got a load that shot as Chub wanted ... both barrels grouping together, on point of aim at 100 yards and shooting really well.

Frankly, I was impressed by the rifle and the cartridge. Recoil was low and it would really put the thump on beasties out to 200 or so.

The first critter Chub shot with it (without checking zero, of course) was a big bull nilgai on the King Ranch. And it was simply thrashed to the ground, most sincerely dead. Last I heard, the rifle had murdered many beasties and all with a single round. Heck, Chub prolly still has the remnants of the 100 rounds I loaded for him and included with the rifle.

Yep, Chub is a fan; if I was young again and running up and down the hills killing stuff, I'd surely have a 9.3 of some description.

Blessings,

Your friend Steve

Steve,

I'm familiar with that rifle, and how Chub ended up with it. Also familiar with the results!

I also have a 9,3x74R double SxS (which is what Chub's is chambered for), but mine was really easy to to get to shoot. In fact it will put two pairs (four rounds, two from each barrel) into 2-1/2" or so at 100 yards with the iron sights--which include a flip-up tang sight. That's with about any bullet from 270-286 grains, using the same powder charge, velocity about 2400 fps.

You still have that double 8x57 you bought when you were a teenager? I remember you were trying to sell it a few years ago.

Best,

Nice Mauser purchase, Fallschirmjaeger! Are you going to put a scope on it or stay with iron sights?

Yep, I still have the double rifle and it is as beautiful as always; gold & engraving and all. I never seriously tried to sell it.

I'll eventually simply give to a friend who means a great deal to me.

Blessings,

Your buddy Steve

No sir! It's hard nowadays to find this type of Mauser without 18,000 buggered up screw holes all over the receiver. I have enough scoped rifles. I think a nice simple and slim rifle with express sights is just the ticket...and it's what I've been searching for. ESPECIALLY, if she get's bored out to 9.3x62. That's one of the specific details that had been part of my search...a nice mauser that had a magazine already configured with a 30-06 length box. Should be quite easy to convert her over to 9.3.

~Jaeger

The only thing I can come up with is some sort of thread adapter.

The seller contacted me today to provide me the background on the rifle. This is what he wrote:

"The history behind this rifle is that it once belonged to Col. Thomas Mcneal of the US Army Air Corp who was in world war II. He was a highly decorated commander and often flew bombing missions from the Solomon Islands, eventually being placed in charge of all theater bombing missions from the Solomon islands including those against the mainland of Japan. He was forced to quit flying due to fears he would be captured and give up information to the Japanese if he was shot down. His flight log indicated that he still occasionally would stow away on a bomber just to be in the air. He had a vast collection that included firearms marked Property US Government and Experimental. I work for the auction house that sold his estate after he passed. It took 4 auctions to sell his collection�.most going to museums (Both military and public) with a few reaching private collections.


During the surrender of Japan to the United States on the USS Missouri, Colonel Mcneal was actually flying overhead accompanied by a squadron of bombers, fully loaded with conventional and atomic weapons, ready to go to Japan and release them if Japan�s Prime Minister refused to sign the unconditional surrender. This information was gained from his logbook and was relayed to me."

Thanks for post that... At least to me, that's a pretty interesting bit of info. And a rare insight into a bit of WW-II history...

GH

Congrats on a fine rifle! The cheek piece is a bit radical for my tastes but, I like everything else. The history of it is priceless.

Your rifle shares many characteristics with rifles made by the Manhattan Gun & Repair Shop that was located at 35 West 44th Street NYC.

They started in business circa 1936, not sure when they closed.

Great looking rifle, I like the character that weird little cheekpiece gives it! Definitely not cookie cutter.


Steve would love to see a thread about the 8X57.


Mike

Steve,

I could tell you were ambivalent about selling the 8x57! It will make a great gift for some appreciative friend.

I will also be giving away some guns as I ease into semi-retirement over the next decade or so. Will sell some to help pay for "slowing down," but some deserve to go to good people who've always admired a particular rifle.

Another thing I have to start doing is hunting more with my heirlooms, like the .257 Roberts Remington 722 that belonged to my grandmother, and the Savage 99F .358 Winchester that belonged to my mentor Norm Strung.

The 9.3x62 is a pretty decent round at ranges beyond 200 yards, especially with 250-grain bullets handloaded to .309-06 pressures. I've taken game beyond 300 with it, no problem--and it did the same thing it always does: knocked the snot out of big animals!

Best,

Hi Michael,

I wondered if you'd have some possible info on the rifle. Thanks for the information!

Best,

Have any pictures or more information? Thanks

John, the 9.3x74R is a very natty cartridge, and better in a DG. I've developed phantom pains ever since selling my Chapuis.

And, Steve, I would take very good care of your 8x57; you know, if you need someone to take care of it.

Falls, your Mauser appears to be a German Guild rifle.

If guys are giving out Double Guns, please put me on the list!



At first I was thinking it was maybe a cigarette rifle...but the stock seems a bit elaborate for something like that. Also, .30-06 seems like a strange caliber for a German gunsmith...maybe I'm wrong.

I wasnt thinking cigarette rifle at all. I have seen some
guild guns that were outstanding.

I have to admit that I'm kind of ignorant on the post war builds. When I get it in hand, I'll take her apart and see if there are any clues...

I saw a custom Enfield 1917 recently that a stock very similar
to yours.