I have been interested in Mausers lately. Got a couple of them with my C&R and refinished them, enjoying the whole thing.
I was interested in getting a Turkish Mauser and have been looking for a nice one. I was frustrated, as most of them are "rough". Those Turks didn't believe in babying a rifle.
I finally found one on the net and made a deal on it. I got it a couple of days ago and when I opened the box, I was very disappointed. It was as rough as a cob.
I didn't even take any "before" pictures, as I wasn't sure I could even save this one. The cosmoline had been removed by the previous owner, but there was no finish and the stock looked like someone had used it for a boat anchor.
Man, I was disappointed. But I figured, "What have I got to lose?"
The metal didn't look too bad and I figured I could at least make the wood look a lot better. So, to work I went.
Here is the finished product, at the range this morning.
I had sanded the stock thoroughly and Tman and I had stained it with alcohol-based stain.
I then applied several coats of Satin Poly.
It had come out pretty nice after all.
The metal wasn't too bad after
I cleaned it up and did some cold bluing.
One of the main difference that makes a Turk easy to spot is the lack of wood over the front half of the barrel.
This one had a small wood repair from the arsenal, to prevent a stock split.
It was a dove-tailed type of repair.
It was well done.
Of course, the big question is: Will it shoot?
![smilie wink]()
I tried some of my 8mm handloads.
Here's the first 5 shots at 50 yards.
Not bad for an old rifle and 58 year old eyes.
The crest on the receiver said it was arsenal refinished in 1946, making it 60 years since that date.
I shot a bunch of milsurp ammo through it today, but had some misfires.
The ammo works fine in other rifles, so this one must have a weak firing pin spring.
I'll order a Wolff replacement.
Shoots hard, kicks hard, and hits what I'm aiming at.
Conclusion:
How you gonna beat it?
Is this a great hobby, or what?
I was interested in getting a Turkish Mauser and have been looking for a nice one. I was frustrated, as most of them are "rough". Those Turks didn't believe in babying a rifle.
I finally found one on the net and made a deal on it. I got it a couple of days ago and when I opened the box, I was very disappointed. It was as rough as a cob.
I didn't even take any "before" pictures, as I wasn't sure I could even save this one. The cosmoline had been removed by the previous owner, but there was no finish and the stock looked like someone had used it for a boat anchor.
Man, I was disappointed. But I figured, "What have I got to lose?"
The metal didn't look too bad and I figured I could at least make the wood look a lot better. So, to work I went.
Here is the finished product, at the range this morning.
I had sanded the stock thoroughly and Tman and I had stained it with alcohol-based stain.
I then applied several coats of Satin Poly.
It had come out pretty nice after all.
The metal wasn't too bad after
I cleaned it up and did some cold bluing.
One of the main difference that makes a Turk easy to spot is the lack of wood over the front half of the barrel.
This one had a small wood repair from the arsenal, to prevent a stock split.
It was a dove-tailed type of repair.
It was well done.
Of course, the big question is: Will it shoot?
I tried some of my 8mm handloads.
Here's the first 5 shots at 50 yards.
Not bad for an old rifle and 58 year old eyes.
The crest on the receiver said it was arsenal refinished in 1946, making it 60 years since that date.
I shot a bunch of milsurp ammo through it today, but had some misfires.
The ammo works fine in other rifles, so this one must have a weak firing pin spring.
I'll order a Wolff replacement.
Shoots hard, kicks hard, and hits what I'm aiming at.
Conclusion:
How you gonna beat it?
Is this a great hobby, or what?
