I Have This Old Gun

[gunsmithkinks]

Look for the crest markings on the top front of the action , that tells a lot of the story. If the gun checks out to be sound with good headspacing and you know the exact caliber. There's no reason you can't get ammo and shoot it. I've shot so many of these rifles over the years, I can't even tell ya how many because they used to be dirt cheap as surplus imports.
Surplus ammo used to be cheap as 22lr at one time , which made for fun shooting times.
Remember one thing too, just because it's "old" doesn't make a gun unsafe to use . It's all about the build tollerances, wear, and headspacing stuff etc etc, not age. Just ask the guys still shooting old Trapdoor Springfields, muzzleloaders, and the sort.

 

[SA Shooter]

I was looking for the crest markings but it appears that the action was, at one time, recoated or reblued. There's nothing to see there.

I found sonme small "A" markings on the back side of the bolt handle and near the bolt handle slot.

I'm gonna have to find a gunsmith. Know any good ones on the west side?

 

[justcuz]

I'm just wondering at this point should I save it, destroy it or leave it as is. As noted, none of the numbers match so I don't believe making a sporter, re-barreling or doing other mods to this piece will jeopardize a singularly valuable firearm here.

Privately hollar, loudly, if you have a hankering or itch to get rid of it...as is, as this uneducated and uninformed citizen and yourself can negotiate a fair price.

 

[Flymph]

Is it too late to say Mauser 95 of some sort?
I'm just going to pretend like I know so I can look cool.

 

[tac]

E in a circle = Proof House definitive proof for a FOREIGN arm - so it wasn't actually MADE in Spain.

tax

 

[tac]

93 Spanish. Any markings on the receiver? Only way to truly determine chambering is to have a gunsmith cast the chamber. Originally it would have been in 7x57, but a lot were converted to 7.62 Cetme (basically .308). It could have been rechambered to other things as well. I would not shoot one of these that has been blown out to 7.62, the recoil lugs have a tendency to set back.

Be VERY CAREFUL! The Spanish 7.62 battle rifle cartridge is NOT the same as a .308. It uses a plastic cored bullet and lighter powder charge than the NATO 7.62x51, which is, itself is slightly down on operating pressure by about 2000 psi in comparison to the commercial .308 Winchester. I hafta opine that this particular rifle of your does not overly inspire me with confidence with regard to its condition.

tac

 

[MountainBear]

Be VERY CAREFUL! The Spanish 7.62 battle rifle cartridge is NOT the same as a .308. It uses a plastic cored bullet and lighter powder charge than the NATO 7.62x51, which is, itself is slightly down on operating pressure by about 2000 psi in comparison to the commercial .308 Winchester. I hafta opine that this particular rifle of your does not overly inspire me with confidence with regard to its condition.

tac

Agreed.