Belgian Mauser bring back

[DaveInOroValley]

Unfortunately not safe to fire due to headspace issue. Gunsmith mentioned to try different types of ammo since he said while the bolt didn't match it appeared it had been with the rifle for quite awhile.

Other then that major issue it is in decent shape and has zero import or other markings as it was definitely a bring back. If I do sell this rifle it would be with the understanding that in it's present condition it is unsafe to fire.

Under those circumstances what would be a fair price to offer my fellow CGN members?

[gun toting monkeyboy]

You need more pictures and more information for us to be able to give you a ballpark figure. Off hand, for a non-working mauser in what appears to be fair condition, I would say $50-75 tops. Maybe less. If you want to just get rid of it, and get some money for it, send it in to Numrich Gun Parts. They will give you a fair market value for it, and then part it out so other people can fix up their guns.

-Mb

[bigthaiboy]

The term "Bring back" is definitely over used and often incorrect. No import markings does not automatically make a military rifle "bring backs". Import markings were not a federal requirement until the 1968 GCA, so tens, if not hundreds of thousands of surplus rifles were commercially imported into the US prior to that.

During Nazi occupation FN only made parts for K98s, but did not build actual rifles for the Wermacht. FN did not start making their variant of the K98 until the late 1940's. These were exported to several countries including Israel and Colombia. Since they were all manufactured post-WWII, Belgian Mausers are not particularly collectable, but they were a very high quality variant of the K98 pattern rifles, so with it's headspace issue, it's probably worth $125 to someone as a project gun. I'd say $100 was more realistic, though.

[emcon5]

He posted some other photos here a while back:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=418409

[bruceflinch]

Too expensive to adjust the headspace?

[gunboat]

Perhaps that weapon is from a batch sold here in the early seventies.
Made by FN just before WWII for the chinese.
Mine is marked 1938 and is a sewer pipe with a bolt. There is considerable rust between metal and wood. I would guess it spent most of it's life in the bilge of a junk.
As to being a belgian "bring back", I believe the service weapon of belgium was a mauser in 7.65 quite like a m91. They saw minimal wartime service since belgium was immediately over run and the weapons were not useful to the krauts for front line troops.
I agree with the value of $50 to 100, presuming reciever and bolt are good.
Did your smith actually check headspace or just pontificate about the mismatched bolt?
my ha-penny