Mauser rifles, explained

[optikalillushun]

I have quite a few books and magazines on military and mil-surp that frequently mention the Mauser. From what i gathered, besides it being used on Combat! by the germans, is there are several countries that used it along with thier own cartridge size. Anyone have a real brief cheat sheet on what was used where? One mag in particular mentioned a few german and serbian mausers. I think like 7 in total. Im just a bit puzzled by the whole thing. As i understand, Mauser sold his design to different countries and they made rifles based on his design in calibers of thier choice, but i dont really know (generally) who did what.

Thanks

[Junk Yard Dog]

The Mauser encompasses half the world including the USA. China, most of South America, Turkey, Mexico, Belgium, Sweden, Luxembourg, just to name a few country's that used the Mauser at one time or another. The Mauser was also made as a sporting rifle and chambered for anything and everything. 7mm tends to be the small ring Mauser in Spain, and some South American country's, 7.65 for Turkey, Belgium, and Argentina, 8mm for Germany, later Turks, Czechoslovakian, and Serbian, Chinese. The Mauser has been the subject of dozens of books, large books at that, no way I can cover it all here, we are talking hundreds of rifles.

[optikalillushun]

[Longcolt44]

Ball's book on Mausers cover the most popular.

[desdem12]

Good luck with the cartridge thing. There are a ton and a reserve ton. Not to mention some odd ball ones. May be some .43 mauser? Or the 8x52 mauser?

[dou44]

mauser military rifles of the world by robert w.d ball is a vg book .you should be able to find it easy.i bought mine a few years ago off ebay cheap i think it was $15-$20

[optikalillushun]

Ill have to check out that book when i get some extra cash.

[Junk Yard Dog]

Check Amazon, Ebay, or GB , you might find a used copy cheaper.

[swoop85]

mauser military rifles of the world by robert w.d ball is a vg book .you should be able to find it easy.i bought mine a few years ago off ebay cheap i think it was $15-$20

+1 I also think the 4th edition just came out.

[Junk Yard Dog]

Mine is so old it's probably the 1st edition

[JoeR]

I have a Yugo and Egyptian Mausers. That could become just as bad as Mosinitis if you didn't watch it.

[Junk Yard Dog]

Weren't the Egyptian Mauser's made in Yugoslavia?

[A J]

My brother owns an old German Mauser. I think he said it's from WWI. He picked it up for a song years ago. It's really more of a work of art than a rifle. The fit and finish are near perfect.

When I was stationed in Iraq, my Division constructed a big display of various captured weapons. My favorite was an old Mauser - a truly class act especially amongst all the other firearms on the display.

[Rongo]

Ball's book on Mausers cover the most popular.

I have the 5th edition.... There's a load of information in those pages.

[Junk Yard Dog]

Can you get us some pics of that Mauser AJ? We could help ID it.

[Junk Yard Dog]

Did it look like one of these?

[A J]

Can you get us some pics of that Mauser AJ? We could help ID it.

Sure, but it may be a while. I'm currently overseas on a temporary duty assignment with the Army and he's in the States. Next time I'm at his house, I'll get some photos and I'll have you guys ID it. I do know that the serial numbers are a relatively low number: 16,000, 17,000 or 19,000; something like that.

[Junk Yard Dog]

We can wait,

[A J]

Did it look like one of these?

I'm not sure. It's been a while since I've handled it and didn't pay too much attention to the markings. What to do remember is the WWI date as well as the serial number that was in even thousands. I'm not sure if that's important, but it sure looked cool.

[SA1911a1]

I have a Voere Cougar in .06 that was made in Austria on a large-ring Mauser action. I have wondered if Voere made these receivers or if they were recycled military rifles.