Identify This Military Ammo and Gun

[MossRoad]

Yeah, my dad died of cancer too. I feel fortunate that my brother and I got to divvy up the rest of his guns....... I'll keep them forever.

Theres five of us....... three sisters. Funny thing about the sentimental stuff.......... growing up my pop was pretty strict. He had a leather stap with a four slits on one end that was used as a discipline tool.......... I think it was one of those straps barbers use on their razors(??). I never actually got it.... just threatened with it, but i guess a few of the older kids got it. Somewhere along the way that strap got the name " Mr. Five Finger "........... we all searched every inch of that basement looking for Mr Five Finger, never found it. I think thats the one item we all would have fought to get. Funny how the punishment tool brings back fond memories !!

Yea. I have 4 older sisters. All of them had hubbies or significant others that my folks and I treated like family, so I split up my dad's tools with my brother-in-laws. Never regretted it. Dad had two and three of everything. Plenty to go around and the process of remembering while sorting helps with the process of letting go.

 

[Ductape]

OK, now on to the rifle.

This was a resto project never finished. Stamped several times 280 with some sort of symbol at the breach. Some other numbers on it are 1754 with a C below it, along with 741RU stamped on the bottom of the barrel. There are some other markings on it, but all are single digits or symbols..... several are difficult to make out.

Obviously a .280........ but what else can anyone tell me about it?

I do belive I have some, or all of the parts that were removed.

 

[SkyPup]

I believe that is a sporterized German Mauser, you can see the German Eagle and ******** on the receiver, not to mention the stock is classic German Mause.

 

[Ductape]

When you say "sporterized", you mean the stock is not military, and was for civilian use?

 

[SkyPup]

Sporterized basically means that someone took a wartime military rifle and modified it for civilian sporting use, ie hunting.

Usually the caliber is changed (original Mauser caliber was European 8mm and apparently yours has been changed to American .280), the sights are changed, and other minor cosmetic additions are made.

Here is a place where you can still buy them and sporterized them to your hearts delight!

German K98k WWII Infantry Rifle with **** Markings

 

[texbaylea]

When you say "sporterized", you mean the stock is not military, and was for civilian use?

That is a military stock that has been shortened and slimmed down, the middle band removed, and a Mannlicher type foreend cap added. The barrel is original but had been shortened with a new front sight added. It probably still is 8x57mm.

Vernon

 

[studor]

Yep --98 Mauser -- with a few homemade mods to the stock and sights. Given the barrel number matches the receiver I doubt it has been changed to .280 but I would take it to a gunsmith and have the chambering checked before trying it. Looks like a project someone started and never finished (no rear sight, stock end cap, no floorplate?) Would not be worth much in its current state but fun to practice home gunsmithing on if you are interested

 

[Ductape]

The 280 in under an insignia just like the third one on the page SkyPup linked to........ the one that looks like a stick figure eagle(with the 135 under it). I took a pic of it, but it din't come out very well. I assumed it was the caliber, but perhaps the number has some other significance?

I was sorta hoping the gun would have had some sort of sentimental value to him, to make me want to invest five times what its worth to have it re-done. Looks like it maybe it was just a yard sale find?

Sorry about the terrible picture of the "280"

 

[SkyPup]

That 280 stamped on the barrel of that German Mauser does NOT mean it is .280 caliber......I mistakenly assumed what you had meant is that the barrel and receiver had been bored out to .280 caliber to use that round for hunting....which is something that could easily be done with that rifle.

You should take that rifle to a gunsmith and have him determine the caliber, if it has not been messed with, it would be the standard 8mm Mauser round.

Do NOT fire the weapon until after a gunsmith has checked it out and given you the okay.

 

[studor]

I am reasonably sure the 280 is the inspectors number -- it is pretty common on 98's made at th ERMA plant (and a couple of others). That barrel would need to be lined to shoot .280 rounds (and not very safely or accurately) I'd say it is a reasonable bet it is still 8x57, but again, a gunsmith should be able to tell you pretty quickly.