Century Arms has Chinese trash can Mausers for $130...

[CWL]

Good for wall display, for that price is worth to get just to tinker

Not even for a wall-hanger, more like fence post.

[bergmen]

On their site: "Furthermore, these are antiques and not intended for firing."

Pretty much says it all.

Dan

[fal_762x51]

Not even for a wall-hanger, more like fence post.

I have turned some fence posts into decent rifles.

[McNally M.]

I would sooner buy the DP SMLE rifles off of J&G for the same price. If we're talking wall hangers here, I'd rather have an iconic piece above the mantel.

[Gavelek]

Bobby Ricigliano? Where are you for this?

[Springfield45]

These are not Mauser rifles in any more than a 1903 Springfield's would be. They are copies of 1888 Commission rifles minus the barrel jackets. Mauser had nothing to do with the development of the design and was not happy that the German government did not come to him first for a design. Commission rifles were a combination of features chosen by a German commission of Officers from other known designs of the time period and chambered for the new smokeless powder cartridge 7.92x57mm. The features used were a modified version of the 1871 Mauser receiver, the Mannlicher type packet feed system and a barrel jacket that was in vogue at the time. Gewv. 1888's were an attempt to stay ahead in the arms race with France that had just released there own version of a smokeless cartridge in the 8mm Lebel.

Before WW1 1888's were sold as surplus to the Chinese. The Chinese were sold the machinery to make them and began manufacturing the "Hanyang" rifles. The quality of the "Hanyang" rifles was never as good as the German made 1888's. Neither rifle was designed to fire Modern 8mm Mauser ammo. If you want to fire these guns reloading for proper ammo is a must.

These rifles look good compared to the German ones that came out of Ecuador years ago. Back then I was able to buy five incomplete/ broken parts guns for $59. At least these look complete. I do not think they are all antique though. Chinese 1888 "Hanyang" rifles were made from 1895 to 1940. Only three years of production would be antiques.

[angry]

got 4 today

https://youtu.be/IpINyqIjqj8

[McNally M.]

got 4 today

https://youtu.be/IpINyqIjqj8

Thanks for sharing the unboxing! They look pretty rough... #3 is by far the pick of the litter.

[clausewitz]

I dont know why you say hanyang rifle is trash can...
It is 100 more years' historical witness for Chinese history from late Qing Dynasty to the war of Chinese Anti-US and support North Korea.

[saki302]

I have a very clean Hanyang 88, with a crisp bright bore. I have not shot it.

Chinese mausers used to be super cheap.. cheapest one I ever grabbed was 20 bucks.. with a matching bolt.

The biggest question is- I've only ever seen one with a cleaning rod. What happened to all the Chinese cleaning rods? Made into a fence in the guangdong countryside somewhere?

The history of these must be amazing. They've been used up, most to 100% of their service life. Too bad they can't talk.

-Dave

[Rogerbutthead]

I bought Century Arms imported Springfield 1903 and an Enfield 1917 during the 80's. The Chinese used some sort of purplish wood preservative that was gross and would not come off. The barrels on both were sewers. Had to restock and re-barrel both of them.

At the end, not a deal for a pair of shooters.