These military rifles are referred to by various different names and designations (caliber, mm, abbreviations). Is there any web site, book, etc. that puts all this in plain English so that a green-horn can begin to get a handle on it all? Thanks !!
The leading authority on Mausers is probably Ludwig Olson. He has several books in print that are available on Amazon.com
I don't know of a single source that will give you what you need on all military rifles (Enfields, Springfields, Mauser, Arisaka's, etc). Its a huge field with hundreds of variations.
Best book around is W.H.B. Smith's Small Arms of the World. Besides giving a history of the firearm and an explanation of how it works, it describes how to use, field strip and reassemble virtually any military rifle up to 1995. Barnes and Noble (are they antigun anyone?) use to sell the hardcover version for $16.95
A less costly book is the NRA publication on Military Bolt Action rifles. I think it's only $5.95
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