Hello all, my name is Mike, and I am new too the forum and to the Mauser. So I picked up a type 24 mauser this weekend for pretty cheap. After I got it home, I realized I should have gone over it a little more. There is a piece on the back of the bolt that is cracked. Im afraid to fire it like this. I was wondering if any of you could tell me if I have to get a bolt strictly for the 24, or if any Mauser bolt will work. Thanks for the help all.
Mauser type 24 bolt cracked
- Thread starter massaudio
- Start date
http://s168.photobucket.com/user/ma...s[user]=42267734&filters[recent]=1&sort=1&o=2
http://s168.photobucket.com/user/ma...s[user]=42267734&filters[recent]=1&sort=1&o=3
http://s168.photobucket.com/user/ma...s[user]=42267734&filters[recent]=1&sort=1&o=4
http://s168.photobucket.com/user/ma...s[user]=42267734&filters[recent]=1&sort=1&o=5
http://s168.photobucket.com/user/ma...s[user]=42267734&filters[recent]=1&sort=1&o=6
http://s168.photobucket.com/user/ma...s[user]=42267734&filters[recent]=1&sort=1&o=7
I hope these help and thank you all again for the help.
Jim Watson
New member
Doesn't look like a Mauser to me. Maybe an 1888.
Definitely beat up.
Definitely beat up.
Tidewater_Kid
New member
I'm guessing without more complete pictures, but it looks like a Hanyang rifle which is a Chinese version of the 1888 Commission rifle. Do not shoot it! I would say it's already been shot too many times!
TK
TK
Tidewater_Kid
New member
Last edited by a moderator:
Dixie Gunsmithing
Moderator Emeritus
The other end of the bolt is the one you worry about cracks. I would say that is a war relic, and was possibly dropped a good distance to be honest, or it looks like it could have taken some shrapnel, etc., with the chunk missing out of the end of the bolt.
The problem would be trusting the steel in these.
The problem would be trusting the steel in these.
Follow Tidewater's link and scroll down and you'll see the arsenal symbol. I had to pull his image because it's copied from that site which runs afoul of the board policy on posting copyrighted materials, but the link is good. You'll note the swastika is mirror image to what the Nazi swastika was, a version more common to Asia.
As to shooting, like the others I am concerned about the steel condition. If it cracked like that it could mean extreme abuse of the gun, but you don't know that it didn't crack a bit too easily because of improper alloy quality or heat treatment. I would guess the repaired gun would be safe to fire low pressure cast bullet loads based on Trail Boss powder, but would hesitate to use full power loads in it unless it was inspected and maybe x-rayed for flaws or perhaps even proofed by someone set up to do that.
As to shooting, like the others I am concerned about the steel condition. If it cracked like that it could mean extreme abuse of the gun, but you don't know that it didn't crack a bit too easily because of improper alloy quality or heat treatment. I would guess the repaired gun would be safe to fire low pressure cast bullet loads based on Trail Boss powder, but would hesitate to use full power loads in it unless it was inspected and maybe x-rayed for flaws or perhaps even proofed by someone set up to do that.
Tidewater_Kid
New member
Thanks Unclenick I didn't realize the picture post was a no-no. These rifles do not have a good reputation. People who try and shoot full power 8mm Mauser ammo through them are putting themselves and anyone around them in danger. Looking at the bolt I would say this has already happened to this rifle and I am advising the OP to NOT shoot it ever.
I collect Commission rifles and you have to be very careful with these antiques. Most people do not understand these rifles or the limitations of the ammo that can be used in them. Better to make it a wall-hanger and find something else to shoot.
TK
I collect Commission rifles and you have to be very careful with these antiques. Most people do not understand these rifles or the limitations of the ammo that can be used in them. Better to make it a wall-hanger and find something else to shoot.
TK
Yes, that is a Hanyang rifle, a copy of the German Model 1888 Commission Rifle (not a Mauser), made in China. The bolt body is chipped as well as the bolt sleeve being cracked. Gun Parts Corp. is sold out, but they had complete bolts listed at $100. You might keep trying them and check other parts sources.
(A couple of years ago someone imported a bunch of those rifles without bolts, which dried up the bolt supply.)
If you don't mind my being frank, Hanyang rifles were not very well made and the material was inferior; that probably led to the breakage of that bolt. Even if you obtain a new bolt, that rifle very likely has serious headspace problems and would be dangerous to fire. I strongly recommend that it be deactivated and hung on the wall as a decorator.
Jim
(A couple of years ago someone imported a bunch of those rifles without bolts, which dried up the bolt supply.)
If you don't mind my being frank, Hanyang rifles were not very well made and the material was inferior; that probably led to the breakage of that bolt. Even if you obtain a new bolt, that rifle very likely has serious headspace problems and would be dangerous to fire. I strongly recommend that it be deactivated and hung on the wall as a decorator.
Jim
Given that added history, I'll withdraw my suggestion to have it proofed. That might just undo the repair work all over again, so there's no way to prove it safe.
On the plus side, if it's to be a wall hanger and you know someone good at TIG welding, you may be able to repair the bolt's appearance.
On the plus side, if it's to be a wall hanger and you know someone good at TIG welding, you may be able to repair the bolt's appearance.
Chinese rifles are essentially in two tiers.
The most common are from core arsenals and, as manufactured, WERE safe to fire.
Less common are field workshops which produced potentially dangerous weapons to fire.
The trouble is the rifles were put through the People's Militia post war. They were shot repeatedly day and night, well beyond and designed lifespan of the guns. They were run until parts broke and then broken rifles were piled together to create working ones again and again.
Every Chinese rifle I have handled has been shot completely out, to the point of failure. Once broken they were retired, gathered up, and exported.
So, whether safe or not from the factory, few, if any, are safe to fire now without significant and costly research into their exact condition.
The most common are from core arsenals and, as manufactured, WERE safe to fire.
Less common are field workshops which produced potentially dangerous weapons to fire.
The trouble is the rifles were put through the People's Militia post war. They were shot repeatedly day and night, well beyond and designed lifespan of the guns. They were run until parts broke and then broken rifles were piled together to create working ones again and again.
Every Chinese rifle I have handled has been shot completely out, to the point of failure. Once broken they were retired, gathered up, and exported.
So, whether safe or not from the factory, few, if any, are safe to fire now without significant and costly research into their exact condition.