My Old Mauser - Part 1 - The Firearms Forum

Snakedriver · 06-05-2009, 08:50 AM

I own an old 1916 Spanish Mauser in the original 7 X 57 caliber that I ordered when I was young right out of the Montgomery Wards catalog for less than $20. When we picked it up it was wrapped in old brown wax paper and had generous coat of cosmoline. After a thorough cleaning I was surprised to find a rifle in like new condition and it appeared to have been used very little. The numbers on it all match and the bore is mirror bright. The stock is a beautiful Turkish walnut with very few imperfections. It’s a good shooter too, even with just the plain old open iron sights.

Through the years I picked up a bayonet, frog and a leather sling for it to dress it up a little. I also found about 500 rounds of mil. surplus 7 X 57 on 5-round stripper clips that was manufactured in Belgium during the ‘70’s. The bandolier to carry the ammo in is Austrian I believe.

It’s a typical “unmarked” Spanish Mauser serial number RM000XX. Other than the serial number in several places there aren’t any other markings on the gun. The “RM” serial number doesn’t fit any of the known manufacturing numbers, so if anyone has an idea about it I’d like to hear from you. Some say the R and the M are just Roman numerals and others say it may stand for Republic de Mexico.

Here’s some pictures of my old jewel:

Charlie the sniper · 06-07-2009, 05:35 PM

Beautiful condition.

06-05-2009, 08:50 AM	#1
Snakedriver Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: SW. Florida Posts: 1,219	My Old Mauser - Part 1 I own an old 1916 Spanish Mauser in the original 7 X 57 caliber that I ordered when I was young right out of the Montgomery Wards catalog for less than $20. When we picked it up it was wrapped in old brown wax paper and had generous coat of cosmoline. After a thorough cleaning I was surprised to find a rifle in like new condition and it appeared to have been used very little. The numbers on it all match and the bore is mirror bright. The stock is a beautiful Turkish walnut with very few imperfections. It’s a good shooter too, even with just the plain old open iron sights. Through the years I picked up a bayonet, frog and a leather sling for it to dress it up a little. I also found about 500 rounds of mil. surplus 7 X 57 on 5-round stripper clips that was manufactured in Belgium during the ‘70’s. The bandolier to carry the ammo in is Austrian I believe. It’s a typical “unmarked” Spanish Mauser serial number RM000XX. Other than the serial number in several places there aren’t any other markings on the gun. The “RM” serial number doesn’t fit any of the known manufacturing numbers, so if anyone has an idea about it I’d like to hear from you. Some say the R and the M are just Roman numerals and others say it may stand for Republic de Mexico. Here’s some pictures of my old jewel: Attached Images __________________ Fear is a reaction..........Courage is a decision --> Last edited by Snakedriver; 06-08-2009 at 10:29 AM..

06-07-2009, 05:35 PM	#2
Charlie the sniper Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: England, thats the USN aircraft carrier near europe. Posts: 746	Re: My Old Mauser - Part 1 Beautiful condition. __________________ Never Forget, the price paid for Freedom.