1913 servicemen's target rifle.

I purchased this rifle the other week. It was built by Mauser Oberndorf in 1913. This rifle has no military proof marks. It has commercial marks on the receiver and bolt. I have never seen a servicemen's target rifle with a bent bolt before. It also looks like it was refurbished at one point. The rifle is chambered in 8.15x 46r. Now would anyone have any additional information about these types of Target rifles? I know these types of Target rifles existed after World War 1 or the Great War. Or was this rifle be considered a private purchase type rifle? Thank you.

Gorgeous rifle! Is it in the standard 7.92X57 five-shot? I have an all-matching DWM commercial G.98 in about the same condition also with only commercial proofs, three-digit serial with no letter block but the bolt handle on mine is straight.

Thank you. The seller on gunbroker told me it was chambered in 8.15x46r but it does have a five-round box magazine. The seller knew very little about the rifle at all.
I may have to do a chamber casting to determine what the caliber really is.

A "Mauser expert" in Australia told me the same thing but mine is actually an 8X57. A picture of the bolt face would tell a lot.

Right to left. Standard bolt of a gewehr 98. Bolt from the target rifle. You can tell the extractor claws are different on both.

Thanks for the pix!

I won't pretend I know much about these, however Gunboards-Mauser forum would be a good place to search out old forum posts regarding them. John Wall, DocAV and MauserBill all discussed these over the years, though many of the saved threads I have are prior to the current Gunboards archive, - around 2005 or so they lost their back up and huge amounts of great posts were lost. TP was able to save some old content, like the Gewehr98 research thread I began nearly two decades ago, must have been 2002-2003 I guess, but most of John Wall's best work was lost for good.

Anyway, I would disassemble it and it might have a caliber designation under the stock, many do, but I am not sure. I would also seek out Jon Speed's book on Mauser, Collector Grade published three of his books on Mauser and one or two might have reliable information. I have Mauser Archive, but sold his other two books on sporters years ago.

To further this subject I will post in another thread information Jon Speed sent 2-3 years ago regarding servicemen's rifles, his emails were also revealing, which I will post the most relevant comments.

Jon Speed 2014

Jon Speed's comments:

Paul, On the web site the 1917 Commercial Oberndorf G 98 is a Wehrmanns Target rifle for the 8.15X46 R cartridge. It is marked on top of barrel with B.G = Lead Bullet typical for the period. Jon

Paul , Sorry you can add the 1917 Mauser could also be made up to use the 57mm case for lead bullet as this was also a Mauser option. You can look at extractor to see if it is set up for rimmed or rimless case etc. Jon

Paul, I should add the letters on 1917 G 98 are BL.G. = lead Bullet, Not B. G. Just to make sure I got it right. Getting old as I did not look at images carefully and forgot to add the L after B etc. Also barrel has the abbreviated marks (Fur Shuttzen Hulse) = in most cases the 8.15X46r target round. Jon

Paul, once you get me on a subject then I want to add all I have on the issue so here are pics of a Mauser pre war add for the G98 Wehrmanns Target rifle and described the 2 types of cartridges its available in. The Shützen Hulse in 8.15X46R and the and the 8X57 round for Lead bullet. Both rounds used Lead Bullets and the barrels had 6 groove rifling etc. Sorry to load you up with extra work but the folks on the web site need all the info possible. Regards, Jon

Paul, a note on the 1917 Target rifle, the small star like marks on the rear sight base are there to show the rear sight position for correct distance required etc. The small star on under the grip area is some type of inspection mark . The extractor would have a hook type form if set up for Rimmed cartridge , otherwise normal form for the 8X57 round. Jon

I tried Gunboards for info on my rifle and got nothing more than guesses even as to calibre. The only reliable information came from this forum.

Interesting to see a turned down bolt. As I shoot alot of 8.15 x 46R in various Schützen rifles, I have been seeking this rifle with the target rear sight. The new .22 training rifle book by Simpson has a 18-page chapter on these Wehrmannsgewehr. Some great information.

That's an amazing rifle!

Thank you Mauser 71 and Mauser1908. I have been meaning to get that book that Simpson wrote.

Comments from Jon

These comments came in from Jon Speed regarding the rifle in question.

Bruce, the bolt is match and correct as commercial turn down bolts could also be used on 8.15X46r rifles. Bolt face is correct for rimmed round with enclosed bolt face etc. Rifle does not need big check out to see if it is ment for 8.15x46r just drop in any normal 8X57 which should /could Not fit etc. Its only Odd barrel is not marked for 8.15X46R round in any way but maybe under barrel etc. I see the 2 index marks on rear sight which looks correct etvc. Very nice looking example with out external marks for 8.15x46r in any way but back in those days things were not always done unless they simply forgot . Rare to find bent pear shape bolt but parts were used up in those days to make up these rifles. It would be interesting to note if rifling is 6 grooves used on Post WW1 examples in 8:15X46R. ?

An added note on the 1913 Mauser G98 Target rifles. 185 units were sold in 1913

More data on target rifle the info I just sent was for only part of buisness year the total Period Jan.1 to October 31 actual sold was 630 units. These were mostly made up from mixed parts then new SN and Proofs etc. Jon