Modelo 1912

A

anodes

New member
In my unended quest (as yet) to find a cheap milsurp .308 bolt gun I have come across a "Modelo 1912, Styer Waffenbrek(sp), Austria" with 7.62 stamped on the receiver. I'm assuming that refers to the .308win.

It seems to have a good bore, though dirty.
There is no other info I have on this rifle.

Could this typical Mauser action withstand the pressures of the .308?

Can anyone describe the pedigree of such a beast?

Price?

This rifle has been painted (yes, painted) and I will be stripping it off. Aside from hand sanding, what is an alternate approach?
TIA
anodes.
 
Anodes,

I wonder if this is the same bolt action rifle I've been seeing at some of the gun shows here? If so, they seem to be fairly good quality.

Actually, painting isn't a bad way to go sometimes. The Birtish painted their guns before they became too "civilized" to have a need for them.
I did a tiger stripe paint job on an old AR-15 one time which came out looking pretty sharp.

I use carburetor cleaner to strip paint. It does a pretty good job. Brush it on. let it sit for a few minutes, wipe it off.
It isn't as aggressive a cleaner as a commercial paint stripper although my second choice would be a commercial stripper.

I would avoid sandpaper or steel wool. It will leave minute scratches on the metal. Try some Gumout. If you don't like it, just pour what's left into your gas tank.
 
Apparently these were originally made in either 7mm or 8mm, then were converted to 30-06 (one's I've seen have been 'ramped' w/mag. box lengthened) and then later rebarreled again to .308, with a sort of 'filler piece' added to the front of the mag box to 'replace' the metal removed for the longer 30-06.

At least this is what I surmise--there are others here who are more expert about Mausers. But I sure wouldn't worry about the quality. That action should be as strong as any m98 ever made; Steyr is one of the best. My $.02

weegee
 
Don't assume that 7.62 refers to 7.62x51 NATO. It could also mean 7.62x54, a rimmed cartridge. Have it checked by a qualified gunsmith if in any doubt.
 
I have one of these rifles. They are 1898 Mausers made by Waffenfabrik Steyr. Top of my reciever is marked 1912-61 and just below that, NATO. I had one of these made into a super lightweight hunting rifle. Five pounds with sling, scope and full magazine (4 rounds).
The strictly military one I have now was made for either Chile or Brazil, I forget which. The barrel is in poor shape and looks like a 1903-A3 Springfield two groove. I haven't shot it yet, but I would not worry about it's being able to handle the .308 Win./7.62x51 NATO. These Steyr's have one of the smoothest actions of any Mausers I've played with.
Paul B.
 
Having it checked is a good idea, but I think I can pretty safely say that it was rechambered 7.62 x 51 NATO (.308), not for 7.62 x 54R or 7.62 x 39.

Jim
 
The Chilian rebarreled M-12 Steyrs are great little rifles. Mine shoots like it has eyes. It is just too bad my eyes are so poor. I wish I had bought a couple when SOG was offering them. I'd have one done as as a SCOUT rifle.

------------------
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"If there be treachery, let there be jehad!"
 
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