Mauser 98 Receiver Stamp

[DueceMcGurk]

Does anyone recognize this Mauser 98 stamp?
Z8866
Serial: 13510

Thanks Mauser mavens.

[watt79]

If I'm not mistaken, I believe it is a Spanish Civil Guard stamp.

[slamfire1]

Can't see enough to know if it is a small ring or M98.

But, the M43 Spanish was clearly in the Civil Guard.

http://www.catalogacionarmas.com/public/chapter4CF.pdf

[Rogerbutthead]

I agree with the others that the marking in the OP is said to be of the Guardia Civil of Spain. https://www.gunsinternational.com/gu...n_id=101124990

[SVT-40]

looks like a small ring 1916 Spanish Mauser. Probably a short rifle. Very common.

The gas escape hole on the left side of the receiver is the telling feature along with the crest.

[pacrat]

looks like a small ring 1916 Spanish Mauser. Probably a short rifle. Very common.

The gas escape hole on the left side of the receiver is the telling feature along with the credt.

^^^^DEFINITELY 100% CORRECT^^^^

[DueceMcGurk]

Here are some additional pics of the rifle in question.

Is "small ring" the weaker design? This is listed as a Model 98 which I thought had the extra locking lug and eventually became the K98.

Would appreciate some education on this.

[SVT-40]

Yes the small ring Mauser rifles actions were not as strong as the large ring types.

It's a pretty common rifle. The bottom metal looks like it's been sanded, as it should be blue like the rest of the rifle. Also I would bet the stock has been sanded, as it's "below the bottom metal".

Meaning some of the side of the cartridge box and trigger guard can be seen from the side.

It shouldn't be that way.

[DueceMcGurk]

A full length pic.

[SVT-40]

Yes it's a 1916 short rifle thats had some of its parts sanded and the bluingremoved. All the parts that are bright should be blued, except for the bolt.

Not much collector value. What caliber is it? Many were modified. It was originally in 7mm Mauser. Many were modified to 8mm Mauser. Then many were modified to fire the 7.62x51 NATO cartridge.

Many believe it's not safe to shoot them if they are chambered in the 7.62 as the small ring actions were not as strong as the later large ring design.

[DueceMcGurk]

SVT,
It is chambered in 308.

[Rogerbutthead]

Big 5 was selling those Spanish 1916's advertised as being 308 Nato in the 1980's.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/7-62-nato-v-7-62-cetme.726637/

If you choose to fire 308 Nato in it - expect a severe kick to the shoulder and banging on the bolt to eject the shell casing.

Good luck.

[slamfire1]

I have no idea what aged receivers the Spanish used in the 308 Win conversions. However, do understand the small ring 7mm (and 8mm) Mauser rifles were built for a cartridge that operated at 43,000 psia. The standard operating pressure of a 308 Win commercial cartridge (about 60,000 psia) 140% higher. Given that the usual proof pressure cartridge is a 30% over, it is safe to say that the standard pressures of a commercial cartridge is over the proof pressures of the military cartridge.

Therefore, there is considerable risk in firing commercial 308 Win cartridges in these things. I would say that lug or receiver seat set back is a real potential, allowing case sidewalls to stick out of the chamber, and rupturing. That would produce something like this:













I think the only real option is to reload for these things. I have shot thousands of 168 SMK's with 39 grains IMR 4895 in competition, standing 200 years, and sitting rapid fire 200 yards. And at 100 reduced matches. This is a very accurate load, and in the reloading manuals, just under 40,000 psia. I can recommend the 168 or a 150 with the charge, and is should be "safe". (It is really hard to know how safe these actions are unless a metallurgical analysis is conducted) It will be safer than commercial 308 Win.

[emcon5]

SVT,
It is chambered in 308.

Do you handload?

There is a lot of debate about it, but the fact that those rifles were made for 7MM Mauser is not in dispute.

SAMMI max pressure for 7X57 Mauser: 51,000 psi
SAMMI max pressure for .308 Winchester: 62,000 psi

So in effect, every factory round you fire through it will be a proof load. There is also some debate about the quality of the steel, and it's lack of consistency. You pays your money, and you takes your chances....

Some discussion here:

https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1360535

[Jarhead]

Spain is where the Gladius started, copied and used effectively by the Roman Legions