Chilean Mauser.

[pitfighter]

I am seeing a lot of these in the $300 range.
All matching, with the exception of the bolt itself.
Often the rifle will come with SS# matching cleaning rod, too.

They are in the awkward 7X57 caliber but otherwise seem extraordinarily clean and well made rifles, usually Austrian or German made and for the most part not messed with - and not too shot out - see harder to find caliber above, I guess.

A couple i have encountered look totally original almost pristine condition, hot blue coloring still visible on bolt removal lever.

They would appear to be good value for money compared with many other items out there.

What is the catch?

[Crunch130]

I don't personally have one, but 7X57 is a SWEET cartridge. Handload for it, like I do for my 6.5X55 Swede. With a very good bore, the accuracy will impress you.

Crunch

[Milsurp Collector]

No catch and nothing awkward about the 7x57 mm round. It was popular in Latin America and it is a good sporting and hunting round.

The $300 price is because it is non-matching. Matching examples are a little more expensive.

This is one of two all-matching ones that I have. SVT-40 has one that is even nicer.

[pitfighter]

That is a nice one - I am tempted.

Just picked up my first 7.62X54, so hoarding ammo for that.

Thanks for the info. very helpful, insightful.

[Emdawg]

7mm an awkward caliber? Where have you been since the 1890's?

That caliber has influenced the developement of military and sporting rounds for over one hundred years.

It's the reason why we went to the 1903 Springfield and the 30-06.

Hell, Rigby took a hot 7mm catridge and shot elephant with it for years.



I have an 1895 Chilean Mauser (Loewe) Long Rifle and it is a sweet shooter. Add the bayonet and it is a fancy spear!

[pitfighter]

Ha ha, Emdawg - awkward to find in stores... - I should have finished the sentence.
Although I know a place that has a few bags of Argentine 7X57 for sale.

It was not a critique of the ballistics of the caliber, I haven't shot it so I can't comment in anyway.

Thank you for the history lesson, I love it. As I implied and wrote, I do not know much about this variant of Mauser or it's caliber - my books all cover the K98 and it's variants.

Good shooting to all.

I am heavily armed and I am...

[Milsurp Collector]

As I implied and wrote, I do not know much about this variant of Mauser or it's caliber - my books all cover the K98 and it's variants.

I recommend these two books.

[Mustang]

Hell, Rigby took a hot 7mm catridge and shot elephant with it for years.

Karamojo Bell?

[Mustang]

Many people believe the 1895 Chilean Mauser, not the 1896 Swedish is the finest small ring Mauser. I think it is too close to call myself. But both rifles and both cartridges are fine indeed.

I've got several each of the Chilean small and large ring Mausers, as well as several Brazilian large ring Mausers and the 7x57 is a great cartridge.

[smle-man]

I especially like the 1895s marked OVS or Orange Free State for the Boer republic. Many of these can be found in nice condition, contracted rifles that didn't make it to South Africa in time for the conflict.

[Emdawg]

Ha ha, Emdawg - awkward to find in stores... - I should have finished the sentence.
Although I know a place that has a few bags of Argentine 7X57 for sale.

It was not a critique of the ballistics of the caliber, I haven't shot it so I can't comment in anyway.

Thank you for the history lesson, I love it. As I implied and wrote, I do not know much about this variant of Mauser or it's caliber - my books all cover the K98 and it's variants.

Good shooting to all.

I am heavily armed and I am...

Where do you live? I can find 7x57mm at my Big 5... and in the ones in the neighboring cities.

It is a nice compact cartridge, easy on the shoulder, can reach out and touch something and drop it. As Teddy's Rough Riders found out.

Hell, it was the caliber that the first year of the Remington 700 Classics were produced in.


Oh and check that Argentine stuff. Probably in 7.65 Argentine. That is much more like .308 Winchester.

Karamojo Bell?

Speaking of that, have you ever read Death in the Long Grass.

Many people believe the 1895 Chilean Mauser, not the 1896 Swedish is the finest small ring Mauser. I think it is too close to call myself. But both rifles and both cartridges are fine indeed.

I've got several each of the Chilean small and large ring Mausers, as well as several Brazilian large ring Mausers and the 7x57 is a great cartridge.

Swedish are better made. Chilean is in a better caliber. My two cents.

I especially like the 1895s marked OVS or Orange Free State for the Boer republic. Many of these can be found in nice condition, contracted rifles that didn't make it to South Africa in time for the conflict.

I have seen and held two. One was sportered and the other looked like it got in a fight with a lawn mower and lost.

[pitfighter]

Thank you Milsurp collector,

Those two books look very useful.

I'm trying to keep my "modern; pre-1945" collection to one country (Germany), and failing dismally.

So probably should invest in those books.

Emdawg - you've made your point, you are a fan of the wonderful shooting, historically significant and easy to find cartridge - I look forward to trying it out - thank you for all the info.



I am still...

[Emdawg]

If you can make it to the Santa Barbara Historical Arms and Blades Show, I am sure you can find something that is German and pre-1945.

One of my buddies had a couple of Banner (Commercial) Mausers.

[pitfighter]

Yes - those shows can be hazardous to the girth of your wallet.


Struggling with it, but still...

[Mustang]

Oh and check that Argentine stuff. Probably in 7.65 Argentine. That is much more like .308 Winchester.

Here, here. A great cartridge. I started using it in a scoped '09 Argy and I think it has great potential.

Speaking of that, have you ever read Death in the Long Grass.

Sorry to say that I haven't

Swedish are better made. Chilean is in a better caliber. My two cents.

Some would argue the opposite. I have examples of both and it is rare to find much better build quality than a Ludwig Loewe built Mauser. Swede's are very nicely built also, however.