Does this look right? Mauser bolt handle

[Buffalo Dude]

It looks like machine marks on the handle, and partial destruction of the serial on the bolt. Is this part of the normal machining production or did someone make a straight handle into a bent handle?

[TRAP55]

Some one forge bent the handle in forging blocks for a scope.

[Marcus von W.]

Is it for a regular M98 Mauser or one of the intermediate length Yugo Mausers? I seem to recall seeing similar looking bolts on some of the Yugo M48 snipers.

[Buffalo Dude]

This is a Spanish mauser. I don't know if the guy I bought it from did the work, or if he acquired it that way.

[penguin0123]

This is a Spanish mauser. I don't know if the guy I bought it from did the work, or if he acquired it that way.

What is it chambered in?
1893 long rifle - 7x57, straight bolt

1916 short rifle - 7x57, bent bolt

1943 short rifle - 7.92x57, straight bolt

[Buffalo Dude]

It's most definitely an M43. It's stamped 7.92 on the side, and they guy I bought it from sent me a handful of 8mm brass. Where can I find out more about it?

[penguin0123]

Surplusrifleforum.com
gunboards.com

Since it is an M43, it certainly seems the bent bolt is an "bubba" modification. Does the serial # match between your bolt and receiver? If the owner bubba-ed another bolt, you may yet find the original matching bolt with the straight handle.

[Buffalo Dude]

This appears to be the original bolt. Sadly, there were other mods to "sporterize" it too, including drilling for scope mounts and reliefs cut into stock for the bent handle and clearance for the scope.

[Marcus von W.]

Is it an M43 or an M44? What do the markings on the receiver ring look like?

Regardless, this is Bubba work. If the rifle hasn't otherwise been seriously dicked-with, any standard length M98 bolt should work. However, from the description of the additional Bubba-fooking the rifle got, it's probably not worth restoring back to original condition, but might be a good platform to build up a kind of replica/fantasy sniper on using something like Yugo Mauser/Zrak mounts or some of the various replica German sniper top-mount setups.

[penguin0123]

I believe you can also differentiate between M43 and M44 by the bayo lug. The Army M43 have an "auxiliary lug" (seen in the picture above) to accept the 1893 bayo. The Air Foce M44 shouldn't have those as they use the std German bayo.

[Buffalo Dude]

It has the two lugs, appears to be an m43. I think I'll just enjoy it as is and maybe find a bayo for it. I got it for about the price of a mosin.

[Marcus von W.]

The bayonet lug really isn't a defining feature, as I have seen the extended one used on M44's and the standard M98 style one on M43's.

Model 1944's are made from reworked German rifles and have a Spanish Airforce crest on the receiver (kind of a strange, winged looking thing) while M43's will have an arsenal or Falangist type marking with a date.

With the extended bayonet lug, you can use one of the Spanish M93 style bayonets - the early long ones are pretty cool looking. The M41 "bolo" bayonet will also fit and looks pretty impressive. Turk or South American Mauser bayonets will also work.

Without the extender, any standard M98 bayonet should fit. There is a Spanish version of the German Gew 98/Kar 98k bayonet that was used on these without the extender.

[gunboat]

Model is of no importance, whatever model it is the bolt handle has been modified.
Not a particularly neat job either -

[paratroop]

Another donk. No sweat, now you can scope it and not destroy it in the process.(for that has already been achieved)

[Buffalo Dude]

Just got a Chilean M1895 bayonet, and it fits on the outer lug. I assume if I wanted a 98 bayonet I would have to knock out the pin on the aux adapter to use the inner lug?