Custom Pre War German Mauser Oberndorf, Double Square Bridge, Octagonal 24” Bolt Action Rifle, MFD 1945 or Prior

SOLD FOR:$5,175
LSB#:
160108GY15

Make: Mauser-Werke A.G. Oberndorf, Germany

Model: Custom Double Square Bridge

Serial Number: 123371

Year of Manufacture: 1945 or Prior (most likely pre WWII)

Caliber: 9.3x62mm Mauser

Action Type: Bolt Action, Internal Magazine

Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked with the serial number, with an “eagle / N” powder proof with an Ulm proof house proof and with “MAUSER-WERKE A.G. OBERNDORF A.N.”. The rib on the top of the barrel is marked ““MAUSER-WERKE A.G. OBERNDORF AM. NECKAR”. The buttplate is marked “MAUSER”. The top of the bolt handle is marked with an “eagle / N” powder proof and with a number that does not match the serial number. The top rear of the bolt body, safety lever and rear of the cocking indicator are each marked “71” which correlates to the number on the bolt handle. The cocking indicator is also marked with an “asterisk”. The bottom of the cocking indicator has a small double stamped marking on it. Both of the receiver’s square bridges and the top rib on the barrel have been hand engraved.

Barrel Length: Approximately 23 3/4 Inches

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade set atop a ramped base and under a removable hood. The ramped base is integral to the barrels top rib. The rear sight is a “U” notched tangent marked from “50 -1000” in increments of 50. It is dovetail ser into the barrels top rail.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The hardwood stock has a pistol grip, raised cheek piece, hand checkering on the forearm & grip, a through bolt, plastic grip cap, sling loop under the butt and a plastic buttplate. The left side of the stock shows scrapes and scratches below the receiver. The cheek piece and buttstock shows compression marks. The wood shows various other scrapes and handling marks. The top of the buttplate is scratched and needs to be cleaned. The LOP measures 14 inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the recoil pad. The stock rates in about Very Good to Fine overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright. The rifling is sharp and deep. There is no erosion.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 95% of its metal finish. The barrel shows light scrapes, thinning on the top edges and a freckling of light frosting. The receiver show a few light scrapes. The bottom metal shows scrapes and thinning. The barrel shank shows discoloration from oxidation. There is oxidation where the receiver meets the barrel shank. The screw heads show light use. The markings are deep. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good to Fine condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: This is a beautiful custom “double square bridge” Mauser made at the Mauser weapons factory in Oberndorf, Germany. It has an octagonal barrel with a hand engraved top rail, finely checkered square bridges, and a tangent sight that is marked out to 1000 yds. The metal still has most of its deep blue finish which looks great set in the custom hand checkered stock. The bore is still strong and bright. This is an ideal rifle for the Mauser collector.
The rifle is chambered in 9.3x62mm. Here is an excerpt from the article “Greatest Cartridges: 9.3×62 Mauser, Effective on About Everything” from Gun Digest at http://www.gundigest.com/ammunition-reviews-articles/greatest-cartridges/greatest-cartridges-9-3×62-mauser-effective-on-about-everything: “The German colonists living in German SW Africa and German East Africa were very active in complaining to the home country for their need for affordable rifles and ammunition suitable for use against Africa’s big and dangerous game animals. Germany was already producing what was to become the best bolt-action rifle available with their Mauser Model 98. They just didn’t have a powerful enough cartridge to fit in a standard Model 98 length, to do battle against Africa’s dangerous fauna. Early in the twentieth century, a gunsmith by the name of Otto Bock, took on the task of developing such a cartridge. In 1905, he introduced the results of his developmental efforts, the 9.3×62mm cartridge – also known as the 9.3×62 Mauser. The cartridge featured a 9.3mm bullet diameter (.366”) loaded into a 62mm long rimless case. The cartridge was originally loaded with a 285-grain bullet with a muzzle velocity of 2150 fps. It fit nicely in a Mauser 98 action, and operation and feeding was excellent. Later, the cartridge was juiced up a bit, and loaded primarily with a 286-grain bullet with a muzzle velocity of around 2400 fps. The CIP established a Maximum Average Pressure of 56,500 psi. In modern strong rifles, there is no reason that it could not be safely loaded to 60,000 psi, providing around 2500 fps, if such was deemed desirable. The cartridge became exceeding popular in Europe and in Africa, and still is today.”

Custom Pre War German Mauser Oberndorf, Double Square Bridge, Octagonal 24” Bolt Action Rifle, MFD 1945 or Prior
Custom Pre War German Mauser Oberndorf, Double Square Bridge, Octagonal 24” Bolt Action Rifle, MFD 1945 or Prior