first Pre-War Commercial Mauser (With Photos)
I've always loved the look and handling of classic European sporting rifles. My dad had a few Oberndorf Mausers and Mannlichers that I have admired for years. Finally, after shopping and researching quite a bit (obviously not quite enough) I jumped on a J P Sauer and Sohn 8x57 Mauser that had so many of the elegant features i loved: A lovely walnut stock with side panels, short forend and schnabel tip, a half-octagon barrel with a full-length rib, double set triggers, lever-release floor plate. I new it had been drilled and tapped for scope rings, but it otherwise looked original. I paid $750.
I just picked it up today and am thrilled with it, except that the bolt is a replacement. I didn't see or notice this in the photos (none showed the safety, which is a more modern one than would be appropriate for this rifle). The number doesn't match, and the bolt handle is more concave than the original, and a small bit of wood has been removed from the stock to allow the bolt to close. How much does this hurt the value of the rifle? It's otherwise in excellent condition for its age, with very good bluing and excellent wood with no cracks and very few small dings.
I'm also concerned that the headspace might not be correct with the new bolt - how is headpace corrected on a Mauser and how costly is this procedure?
thanks!
I've always loved the look and handling of classic European sporting rifles. My dad had a few Oberndorf Mausers and Mannlichers that I have admired for years. Finally, after shopping and researching quite a bit (obviously not quite enough) I jumped on a J P Sauer and Sohn 8x57 Mauser that had so many of the elegant features i loved: A lovely walnut stock with side panels, short forend and schnabel tip, a half-octagon barrel with a full-length rib, double set triggers, lever-release floor plate. I new it had been drilled and tapped for scope rings, but it otherwise looked original. I paid $750.
I just picked it up today and am thrilled with it, except that the bolt is a replacement. I didn't see or notice this in the photos (none showed the safety, which is a more modern one than would be appropriate for this rifle). The number doesn't match, and the bolt handle is more concave than the original, and a small bit of wood has been removed from the stock to allow the bolt to close. How much does this hurt the value of the rifle? It's otherwise in excellent condition for its age, with very good bluing and excellent wood with no cracks and very few small dings.
I'm also concerned that the headspace might not be correct with the new bolt - how is headpace corrected on a Mauser and how costly is this procedure?
thanks!
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