A storied Mauser: to “fix up” or leave as is?

[raftman]

The Ethiopians had a similarly 'caring' attitude to the thousands of Lee-Enfield rifles over the same period. An ongoing thread on gunboards discussess and exact analogue of THIS thread, but with the words 'Lee-Enfield' replacing 'Mauser'.

Me?

Timer for popcorn.

Oh I picked up one of those, too. It is comparatively unmolested though, with a much smaller rack number being the only indicator of a stint in Ethiopia.

 

[tac]

I don't know if it will cheer you up or make you shake your head, but not a single one of those guns has turned up here in yUK. Prolly skeered that proofing them might destroy them, I guess.

 

[Phantom Man]

The Ethiopians had a similarly 'caring' attitude to the thousands of Lee-Enfield rifles over the same period. An ongoing thread on gunboards discussess and exact analogue of THIS thread, but with the words 'Lee-Enfield' replacing 'Mauser'.

Me?

Timer for popcorn.

Ethiopians were worn out from carrying these rifles they didn't have the care to maintain them well.

 

[WAW44]

Did you end up leaving it as is, or did you fix it up?

 

[raftman]

Did you end up leaving it as is, or did you fix it up?

Wellll, since you asked, I have to admit I largely went against the grain here. I replaced the barrel band and added a more correct-looking sling (but did keep the Ethiopian stuff, so it's all reversible). I also touched up the bluing towards the muzzle end since it was pretty much in the white. I did leave the painted-on rack number as it came to me.

 

[CountryGent]

If it was mine....
I'd just maintain it as it is.
That rifle has a long history....and deserves to be remembered for all of it.
Besides...if you want a Yugo-Mauser....there are still plenty of those around.
Andy

^ Exactly my thoughts.

This particular piece has had an interesting "life" reflected in the various markings, etc. And Yugo Mausers and/or "shooters" Mausers are a dime'a'dozen. If it were me, I'd leave this one alone. But to each their own.

 

[CountryGent]

Speaking of Forgotten Weapons and Ethiopian guns, today's video:

 

[grampajoe]

Interesting. "Watching"

how much

 

[Mikej]

how much

How much what?

 

[Mikej]

Speaking of Forgotten Weapons and Ethiopian guns, today's video:

I've never done any biz with RTI Buuuuut...I've read quite bit about them. Ordering a 60-100 year old rifle from them with no bore condition stated? I "Think" I can safely say, I'll never give them any of MY money.

 

[CountryGent]

I've never done any biz with RTI Buuuuut...I've read quite bit about them. Ordering a 60-100 year old rifle from them with no bore condition stated? I "Think" I can safely say, I'll never give them any of MY money.

Ditto. I'll admit to being extremely tempted by their M1 Carbines, and to a lesser extent some of their Mausers, but I've seen enough negative feedback to stay away. At least with respect to giving them my greenbacks. The history videos are fun though.

 

[F2CMaDMaXX]

They've been random it seems, my M1 is an ok bore as per @Velzey but yeah, he's just a salesman and they've been working on the lack of important info this year. I still don't fully trust them but at least they're working on it.