Help need info on mauser

[JoeGSX]

Friend dropped this off the other day to get cleaned up. he wanted to find a little info on it as he got it from his great uncle. All I know is its 333 Jefferys and has Nazi stamps. Any help would be great! If other pics are needed let me know.

[johnthomas]

http://7.62x54r.net/

http://7.62x54r.net/Forums/index.php?topic=2942.20;wap2

[bigbossman]

http://7.62x54r.net/
http://7.62x54r.net/Forums/index.php?topic=2942.20;wap2

These links point to discussions about Nazi marked Mosin Nagants. The OP has a sporterized German 98K Mauser.

[TMB 1]

Sporterized German Mauser. Are you sure it a 333 Jefferys? I think a lot of them were re-chambered to 8mm-06.

[GJC]

Very cool rifle!

[JoeGSX]

All the markings say 333J don't know if it was re-chambered. Anyway to track down when and where it might have been made or value? I originally posted it as a mosin by mistake that's why john posted those links.

[mosinnagantm9130]

All the markings say 333J don't know if it was re-chambered. Anyway to track down when and where it might have been made or value? I originally posted it as a mosin by mistake that's why john posted those links.

If you took off the scope base the manufacturer's markings should be on the receiver. You could also look up the waffenamt's, IIRC WaA 359 is a walther (AC code) proof mark.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

Heavily sporterized German K98. Virtually stripped of its collector value, but probably still a good shooter.

[JoeGSX]

[bigbossman]

Heavily sporterized German K98. Virtually stripped of its collector value, but probably still a good shooter.

In this particular case.... maybe.

BUT - There was/is an English company, W.J. Jefferys, that built German Mauser conversions for big game hunting in their proprietary calibers..... for example 333 Jefferys.

Those guns are "heavily sporterized" but fetch thousands of $$$$'s. This one, chambered for .280 Ross, is listed for $7,400:

http://www.gunsinternational.com/W-J-Jeffery-Mauser-98-Action-Sporter-280-Ross-.cfm?gun_id=100262551

Looking at pictures of W.J. Jefferys mausers on the web, I see nicely done conversions with very nicely done wood........ not anything like the one the OP pictured.

So, I wonder about the caliber. In the OP's pics, I can see the tell-tale signs of a stepped military barrel as well as the remains of the original military rear sight. .333 Jefferys is bigger in every dimension (including bullet diameter) than 8mm, so I'm wondering what an original military barrel is doing on a German Mauser that is chambered for .333 Jefferys. I'd be careful with this one, and determine the caliber FOR SURE before I made any assumptions.

[TMB 1]

J Made by JP Sauer in 1941.

[TMB 1]

I agree with bigbossman I doubt it's 333 Jeffery. You should have it checked, it's probably either 8mm Mauser or 8mm-06.

[bigbossman]

I agree with bigbossman I doubt it's 333 Jeffery. You should have it checked, it's probably either 8mm Mauser or 8mm-06.

It's not that I doubt it, it's more like I'm not an expert with these and I don't have enough information to satisfy my curiosity.

Wikipedia has s rundown on the .333 Jefferys, and here are a couple of highlights:

"It was developed by the W.J. Jeffery & Co in 1908"

AND

"The penetrative capability of this bullet was a reason for its use as a counter sniper rifle cartridge between 1914 and 1918 as it could penetrate the German sniper shields before reaching the snipers"

So - we know .333 Jefferys was developed in England in 1908, and apparently was used AGAINST German snipers during the Great War?


In any case, the OP's rifle is later - 1941 - so it's not one of those. Again, the military barrel and the military sporterized stock make me suspicious. If it were a W.J. Jeffery & Co conversion for sporting purposes, it would a better fit and finish.

OP - do you have any 8mm ammo laying around? If so, insert a bullet into the muzzle and see if it gets swallowed. An 8mm bullet is .323, and the .333 Jefferys is....... .333. Now - if it has a .323 bore and is chambered for the .333...... I'd be careful with that.

[xrayoneone]

The top of the barrel is stamped 7.9, which is the caliber. Where is it stamped 333 Jeffery? I suppose it could have been bored out and rechambered but that is a lot of work for a rare caliber on a gun that had no collector value.

ETA: I see on the left of the receiver ring it is stamped 333, that is usually a serial number.

[bigbossman]

The top of the barrel is stamped 7.9, which is the caliber. Where is it stamped 333 Jeffery? I suppose it could have been bored out and rechambered but that is a lot of work for a rare caliber on a gun that had no collector value.

ETA: I see on the left of the receiver ring it is stamped 333, that is usually a serial number.

Good catch, and good question.

Yeah, that "7.9" tells all - it is an 8mm military barrel. If it is still marked elsewhere with 333 Jefferys, be very suspicious. Like xrayoneone and I have said, this doesn't add up as a .333 conversion.

OP - if you say it is stamped "everywhere" with 333, then xrayoneone is right - those are the last three digits of the serial number. And, Bobby Ricigliano is also right - it has no value, other than as a shooter.