What do you know about Chilean contract 1912 Mauser Carbine

[OldRussian]

Hi all, I don't know anything about these rifles and have an opportunity to buy a Chilean contract 1912 Mauser Carbine in .308.

Are they collectable? Sought after? Hard to find?

Thanks

[Junk Yard Dog]

These were originally German made, or Belgian, I forget, and chambered for the 7mm Mauser. The carbine .308 is a conversion done in the 1960's. I never much liked .308 Mauser conversions, it probably shoots fine, but I would not get carried away paying for it.

[nick101]

Saw one at a gun show a while back. Was pretty beat up though. I ended up buying a Nagant M44 instead.

[OldRussian]

I guessed the 7x57mm models would be more collectible, but that ammo is damn hard to find! Would you pay $325?

[desdem12]

I would not likely pay that for the .308 conversion but I am of the same ilk as JYD. I way much prefer the 7mm rifles to the converted south americans or Spanish.

[bocephus]

I believe people pay less for the .308 conversions and the 7mm ones can be had for under $250. I'm assuming it's beat up and non matching like most of them I see.

[Emdawg]

Converters tend to be worth less. Some of the conversion were shoddy or done to small-ring Mausers and they are not always strong enough to take the pressure. They simply don't command a higher value.

[finloq]

Unless it's one of these Spanish conversions:

[Greasemonkey]

The Chilean M1912 I would think would have no issues with the conversion, it's a large ring Mauser. It's just not original caliber anymore. The early 7.62 1895 Chilean conversions I wouldn't trust with modern loads.

Mine is the Chilean M1912 long rifle, still in the original 7mm, they were made by Steyr in Austria. Carbines in both 7mm and 7.62 are a little more common than long rifles as I understand. Here is a page with info on these Mausers.http://randyrick.us/AustrianFirearms/rm1912.htm