Manchurian Type 13 Shenyang Mauser 8mm 29”Bolt Action Rifle, 1920s C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,550.00
LSB#: WY250204JH009
Make: Shenyang Arsenal, Manchuria (Part of Northern China)
Model: Liao Type 13
Serial Number: 99877
Year of Manufacture: Post-1924
Caliber: 8mm Mauser (7.92x57mm)
Action Type: Bolt action, internal 5 round magazine.
Markings: The top of the receiver has the Shenyang Arsenal crest. All serialized parts are matched. There are various arsenal proofs throughout.
Barrel Length: 29”.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a triangular post set atop a serrated ramped base. The rear sight is a V-notched sliding escalator assembly marked out to 20.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a two piece wood set with a forend cap/bayonet lug/ parade hook & hole for included cleaning rod, barrel band with sling loop, through bolt, semi-pistol grip, sling loop, straight comb, and steel buttplate. There are light pressure dents and scratches throughout. There are small chips throughout. There are no cracks. The LOP is 13 1/8” Overall this stock set rates at a Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Arsenal Refurbished.
Bore Condition: The bore is light gray and the rifling is sharp. There is almost no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates at a 9/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 80% of its metal finish. There is a faint patina throughout with light to moderate handling marks. The action has moderate wear. The dust cover is missing. The screw heads range from lightly tooled to worn. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: This Manchurian Type 13 rifle, manufactured at the Shenyang Arsenal in northern China during the 1920s, is a rare and historically significant bolt-action rifle that reflects the turbulent military and political climate of early 20th-century China. Modeled after the German Gewehr 98 and chambered in 8mm Mauser (7.92x57mm), the Liao Type 13 was produced for Chinese warlord armies and later saw use through the Second Sino-Japanese War and even into World War II. The distinctive Shenyang crest atop the receiver and full matching serial numbers throughout make this a standout piece for collectors of early Chinese or Asian military firearms. This example is in Very Good condition, retaining approximately 80% of its arsenal-refurbished metal finish. The bluing is strong with a light patina and moderate wear on the action and exposed surfaces. The bore is a highlight—light gray with sharp rifling and minimal erosion, rating 9/10 in this writer’s opinion. The stock set is in Good condition, showing typical pressure marks and scattered chips from field use, but no cracks or structural damage. The dust cover is missing, which is common for rifles of this type and era. All serialized components are matching, which is increasingly uncommon for these rifles.
For collectors of Asian military rifles, pre-WWII bolt actions, or rare Mauser derivatives, this Shenyang Type 13 is a highly desirable acquisition. Its historical context—produced during the chaotic Warlord Era and used extensively in the Chinese conflicts of the 1930s and ’40s—adds depth to its value. With a strong bore, matching numbers, and clearly visible arsenal markings, this rifle offers a rare opportunity to own a seldom-seen piece of Chinese military history that played a significant role during one of the most complex and violent periods in East Asian warfare. -R.E.
