german 30.06

[paul lewis]

Ihave a mauser action rifle most likely a custom made or a limited production as it does not have a makers name and only part # on individule parts but does have a proof mark which is St. m g 14.6Gr or Gp The book says it would be 1900to 1913 ?? cal. is 30.06well made ,stock pistol grip ckr.3 leaf site and ramp site on front ,other odd item is ,the bolt handle is a butter knife style any info wuold be helpfull Thanks paul

 

[James K]

Hi, Paul,

Is the barrel marked .30-'06 or 7.62x63? Or is the caliber not marked? If so, are you sure of the caliber?

That marking means a proof test with a 225 grain (14.6 gram) steel jacket (Stahl mantel) bullet. Somewhere around it should be something like 7.62 above a line and 63 below it. If it is anything else, let me know what it is.

Assuming the rifle was originally in .30-'06, it is pretty uncommon. There are three main possibilities. It could have been custom made for a German who simply wanted to have something different; it could have been made for export to this country or some area where the caliber was common; or it could have been made for sale to American servicemen in Germany.

Jim