M1907 Chinese Contract Mauser (German Issued)
- Thread starter chrisftk
- Start date
Great rifle!
I've been doing research on Chinese 1907 rifle more than 2 years.
https://mausercn.blogspot.com/2019/03/the-origin-of-chinese-mauser-1907-rifle.html
I've found who actually ordered previous 6.8 rifles but on clue for this last 1913 contract so far. Probably Mr. Jon Speed's original contract mentioned the Chinese buyer?
I've been doing research on Chinese 1907 rifle more than 2 years.
https://mausercn.blogspot.com/2019/03/the-origin-of-chinese-mauser-1907-rifle.html
I've found who actually ordered previous 6.8 rifles but on clue for this last 1913 contract so far. Probably Mr. Jon Speed's original contract mentioned the Chinese buyer?
The 1914 production was claimed by the Germans to my knowledge, but biggest giveaways are:
1) The sight being staked to a minimum 400m to match the Gew98 (if you look there is a small pin preventing you going to the written 200m mark)
2) The barrel converted to 8x57 from the Chinese 6.8mm. Though there is evidence some were given new barrels entirely.
3) Wrist acceptance
4) The other circumstantial evidence; a handful of Gew98 parts mixed in (likely by armorers) and the fact it came with a gew98 bolt in it (like a bolt mm bringback)
In book A Mad Catastrophe, author mentioned:
“Austrian minister in Munich to Berchtold on September 8 conveyed the news that the Germans would send Austria 2.5 million rifle and machine gun cartridges previously dismissed as “past their sale date” (veraltet) and “suitable only for the Chinese army.
I guess it might come from the 1913 contract. Interesting is, by my research, Steyr sold both 6.8 Mauser rifle and ammunition to China in 1910.
Hi All,
Its been a few years since I initially found this one. In that time, I've found an original pear-shaped bolt and slapped a spare sling and export muzzle cover on it (no idea if it's actually proper, I just had it laying around).
A few observations since the initial post too--
- It seems as though the military acceptance on these is a Crown/D on the wrist.
- The staking of the rear sight to 400m minimum (see prior and current photos) might be the easiest way to identify from afar. Every Germanized example I've seen has this trait.
- The original Chinese barrel was bored out to 8mm as part of the conversion at Venuswerke. I've seen mention of potential new barrels being installed, but at this stage, i lean toward the boring out to be the standard practice.
- I've seen conflicting information, but the most frequent story is that these were issued to two Württembergische regiments and one reserve regiment. (The 261st, 262nd and the 263rd reserve are what I've seen)
What really got me excited recently was finding an original Germanized bayonet for this rifle. The Chinese bayonets were double-edged and were marked with German acceptance on the bottom of the pommel. This particular example shows the rough life these substitute rifles often had. The scabbard looks to be an ersatz steel one with remnants of paint. It fit the rifle like a glove and really presents well. There are no makers marks, as seems to be the case with these.
Its been a few years since I initially found this one. In that time, I've found an original pear-shaped bolt and slapped a spare sling and export muzzle cover on it (no idea if it's actually proper, I just had it laying around).
A few observations since the initial post too--
- It seems as though the military acceptance on these is a Crown/D on the wrist.
- The staking of the rear sight to 400m minimum (see prior and current photos) might be the easiest way to identify from afar. Every Germanized example I've seen has this trait.
- The original Chinese barrel was bored out to 8mm as part of the conversion at Venuswerke. I've seen mention of potential new barrels being installed, but at this stage, i lean toward the boring out to be the standard practice.
- I've seen conflicting information, but the most frequent story is that these were issued to two Württembergische regiments and one reserve regiment. (The 261st, 262nd and the 263rd reserve are what I've seen)
What really got me excited recently was finding an original Germanized bayonet for this rifle. The Chinese bayonets were double-edged and were marked with German acceptance on the bottom of the pommel. This particular example shows the rough life these substitute rifles often had. The scabbard looks to be an ersatz steel one with remnants of paint. It fit the rifle like a glove and really presents well. There are no makers marks, as seems to be the case with these.
Thanks @Fal Grunt !
The barrel pictures were buried a couple of pages up, but here they are again. IMO, original barrel that was bored out.
Nice find. The bolt profile is correct. The 1914 rifle barrel was bored out. You can find the gauge marking 248. After Six years digging into this rifle, I finally knew the story of these undelivered rifles.
My research article on Chinese M1907 just submitted to magazine. Hope they print it soon.
Aaron
My research article on Chinese M1907 just submitted to magazine. Hope they print it soon.
Aaron
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Cyrano4747
Well-known member
That's a heck of a great pick up, love oddball MO stuff like this.
Honkey Tonk Devil
Well-known member
Great piece, I do love the pear shaped bolt. The front band, bayonet lug I find interesting as well. Kinda of hybrid between pre 98 action and the 98 style. Also worth noting the similarities it shared with Siamese Mauser. Those being of Mauser design but built by the Japanese. Pic is a Siamese Mauser.
Attachments
I too have a original 1907 Mauser converted to 8 mm in all matching status. Original matching stock had a g98 front section grafted on I guess to comply as a g98 rifle? I had a post mentioned this gun years back I don't remember if it was here or gunboards...
Without pictures it's hard to say, but my guess would be that the rifle was sporterized and someone restored it by grafting on a Gewehr front end.
There are pictures posted on gunboards if you look at the above link...
Thanks. Didn't see them the first time. I see now they were on the 2nd page of the thread.
Matching bolt is definitely a plus. I think the front of the stock is a duffle cut repair. The fore end was likely lost at some point.
Do you have any of the right side of the stock? Normally the stock keels wont have SNs on these, so possibly added at a depot. Anything on the buttplate? Was the handguard intact?