7.65 Mauser

Sellers85 · #1 12-27-2006, 12:46 PM

I just had a model 1891 7.65 Mauser give to me. Does anyone have any info on this rifle? I just sold my.270 and am needing a deer rifle to get me by while I save up a little more money for a .308. Should I put a scope on it or just leave it alone? I'm not sure if it is worth anything, but I don't want to hurt the value of the gun. I would appreciate any info about these guns.

Adam Helmer · #2 12-27-2006, 03:36 PM

Sellers85,

Welcome to the Forum; I see this is your 7th post. Do you have the rifle, short rifle or carbine M1891 7.65mm? Is it full military? The M1891 is a two-locking lug Mauser that is best suited to mild handloads. Mounting a scope on the rifle would involve drilling and tapping the receiver, and would diminish its collector value, and the bolt and safety would have to be altered further reducing any collector value.

I would suggest you use the arm with the issue iron sights and mild loads until you can buy that .308 deer rifle.

If you scroll down on this Forum to "Military/Surplus Arms" the Moderator there is named Gil Martin and he will give you "information overload" on any Mauser including your M1891. I hope this helps, and again, welcome to the Forum.

Adam

muledeer · #3 12-27-2006, 04:11 PM

Welcome!! Adam's right. Go see Gil.
muledeer

Sellers85 · #4 12-27-2006, 04:13 PM

Thanks for the welcome. I don't know a whole lot about guns so I don't really understand when you ask is it full military. It is a carbine and the numbers on the barell, action and stock match, but the numbers on the bolt and clip do not. Do you know if these are of any value? What years where they made?

Adam Helmer · #5 12-29-2006, 06:45 PM

Sellers85,

The M1891 Mausers were made in Berlin (mostly) by Ludwig Lowe and Company and some were made in Oberndorf. The 7.65mm was a popular round in Central and South America in the 1891-1914 era before WWI. I suggest you read W.H.B. Smith's book, "Small Arms of the World" for more information.

You say your arm is a carbine. Is it stocked to the muzzle? What is the overall length of your arm and what is the barrel length? It may have been a rifle cut down to carbine length. The true carbine is similiar to the mannlicher stocked arms of the era. Since the serial number on the bolt does not match the number on the receiver, you have a mis-matched arm, meaning the collector value is reduced.

The M1891 Mauser was superceded by the M1909 Mauser, which has the more desirable three-lug M98 Mauser action. Without having your arm to evaluate, it is not possible to give you a value.

Adam

Bill Poole · #6 12-31-2006, 12:54 AM

DO NOT MODIFY IT !!!!!

you can spend $300 turning a $200 rifle into a $75 rifle!!!

if it has already been modified, its less of an issue, its already degraded in value, but to put a scope on it usually means paying a gunsmith to bend the bolt and drill holes, you can spend more than the gun is worth to make the gun worth less than it was before you started.

if its in original configuration it is worth almost as much to a collector as a used hunting rifle.

Hornady imports or makes hunting ammo in that caliber if you want to hunt with it as-is.

set some money aside each week and you'll have enough for a new .270 or .308 by next deer season and you'll still have a nice argentince mauser too!

shoot good

Poole

Gil Martin · #7 12-31-2006, 07:10 AM

The 7.65x53mm is a fine cartridge and should serve you well. Adam and muledeer are too kind in their comments, but they have pretty well covered the topic. If you reload, it is possible to form 7.65x53 cases by reforming .30-06 brass and trimming it. Been doing that for years when 7.65 brass was unavailable or too expensive. All the best...
Gil

Adam Helmer · #8 12-31-2006, 05:10 PM

Sellers85,

Sorry for the confusion, but "full military" should have been said "as issued." Military arms in "as issued" condition are worth more than those that have been modified in any way.

Happy New Year.

Adam

Sellers85 · #9 01-02-2007, 09:38 AM

Thanks for all the useful info. I got it out last night after I got home from a long weekend and the barell does stick out past the stock, but not by much. I will try to get some measurments tonight. I just bought a new rifle a few days ago, so I no longer need to modify it. I got a Remington 700 ADL .270 with the laminated wood stock. I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet. My girlfriends grand dad gave me a scope for it so I hope I can get some rings this week and go sight it in.

squirrelman · #10 04-12-2007, 02:19 PM

7.65 mauser is a excellent deer caliber. I have shot three deer with mine. I handload 150 grain bullets for use in my gun. these rifles show excellent workmanship. I do gunsmithing for a sideline and I installed a williams front site and peep site on mine. It will shoot 7/8 inch groups at 100 yards. You have a good rifle so my advice is to keep it.