What to safety check on old Mauser?

[brandon91]

So I have an old Model 1889 Argentine Mauser that has been sitting in a safe to my knowledge at least 40 years if not longer, probably has not been shot twice that length of time. It's a beautiful rifle all matching numbers, wood perfect (except export sanding), shiney bore, this ones particular manufacture date is late 1899. There is what I assume is cosmoline on some of the metal (sticky brownish stuff), but the action is smooth as heck, better than my deer gun lol.

Well I would like to shoot it a bit, what course of action should I take? I have no experience with firearms this old and would not like to be the person to ruin a rifle that is 116 years old. What say you?

On a side note I bought some 7.65arg from a booth at the ontario gun show that the guy told me was factory milsurp ammo. When I got it home I researched the head stamp and it was reloaded from 8mm brass, wont be shooting those, lol, lesson learned never buy ammo in ziplock bags.


Rifle is pictured below, doesn't do it justice!

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1423904250.446359.jpg

[mosinnagantm9130]

You can shoot ammo made from a different cartridge, provided it's been formed to the new one.

It's not uncommon to turn .30-06 brass into various other calibers, for example.

Check the dimensions of the ammo you bought against 7.65 argentine.

[brandon91]

I realize that, but there is no way in hell I would shoot a random persons reloads. I'm just going to pull and recycle the components.

[Enfield47]

The first thing I would do is disassemble the rifle and clean it. Get all of the cosmoline off the metal and wood, this will also give you a chance to inspect the parts. You will probably need to run several patches through the bore, but don't be alarmed if they keep coming out dirty. Once you start shooting it, that will also help clear the crud from the barrel. When you are done cleaning just put a light coating of oil on the bolt, enough so it is smooth but not so much that it is wet.

[brandon91]

The first thing I would do is disassemble the rifle and clean it. Get all of the cosmoline off the metal and wood, this will also give you a chance to inspect the parts. You will probably need to run several patches through the bore, but don't be alarmed if they keep coming out dirty. Once you start shooting it, that will also help clear the crud from the barrel. When you are done cleaning just put a light coating of oil on the bolt, enough so it is smooth but not so much that it is wet.

Do I need to worry about using modern cleaners on it? I use CLP or ballistol. Best way to remove cosmoline? Thanks.

[Armistice]

Do I need to worry about using modern cleaners on it? I use CLP or ballistol. Best way to remove cosmoline? Thanks.

Use w/e cleaner you want

Removing cosmo depends on how heavy it is, but I usually do boiling hot water until all cosmo is removed. Then mineral spirits and finally dry and coat with oil/ lube

However, that process is only one of millions of ways to skin an animal

[SMarquez]

I bought one almost 25 years ago for a wall hanger. I finally got around to shooting it this year. I just cleaned it out and shot some reloads. It is a sweet shooter.
Do you reload? I use Norma brass, IMR4895 and Hornady .311 bullets.

[Enfield47]

Do I need to worry about using modern cleaners on it? I use CLP or ballistol. Best way to remove cosmoline? Thanks.

Any gun cleaner will work. WD40 is good for removing cosmoline, just be sure to wipe the WD40 off with a rag when you're done and oil as usual. If the cosmoline is baked on you may need to let it soak and use a brass or nylon brush. Don't get aggressive with it, you don't want to take off the bluing. If it won't come off, just leave it. Be sure to scrub the chamber well so that cases easily slip into and out of it and also the bolt raceways so your bolt slides smoothly.

[SVT-40]

Your Argentine rifle is a 1891 Mauser. Most had their crests ground before they were sold by the Argentinians as surplus, and are usually completely matching. The vast majority of 1891 rifles with intact crests are bolt mismatched rifles.

Does your rifle still have it's crest, and is it all matching?

[Crunch130]

So I have an old Model 1889 Argentine Mauser that has been sitting in a safe to my knowledge at least 40 years if not longer, probably has not been shot twice that length of time. It's a beautiful rifle all matching numbers, wood perfect (except export sanding), shiney bore, this ones particular manufacture date is late 1899.

If it is an 1889 Model (and it could be) then it is a Belgian. They shot the same cartridge. What does it say on the front receiver rail and the left side rail of the action? The Argentines looked almost identical, and they were Model 1891.

Speaking of cartridges, a fair number of these 7.65X53 Mauser rifles were converted to 30-06. They just ran an '06 chamber reamer into it, and lived with the fact that you had .003 inch extra slop. (If I had one such conversion, I would use a .311 expander ball, and use .311 bullets.) At any rate, these were done by gunsmiths in the US due to the difficult availability of 7.65X53 in the 1950's and '60s.

Post more pix!

Regards,
Crunch

[brandon91]

Yes it's an 1891 I misspoke. But I do remember the 1899 manufacture date when I was scouring the net for info.

[brandon91]

Also, bolt is matching

[Bobby Ricigliano]

What to check on an old Mauser:

Bore
Pitting beneath the stock
Evidence of Bubba
Bore
Matching Numbers
Bore