Spanish Mauser - Fabrica De Armas Oviedo 1932

[C.O. Shooter]

I was given this rifle today by my father in law. It's pretty interesting and I am sure it has a story. I did some GoogleFoo and found some limited information. If anyone has anything they want to share, let me know. I don't imagine this is a stock rifle. The barrel is scribed with (.243) and it has a Bishop Stock. The firing pin still goes click. Thanks.

 

[Riflehunter1776]

It was a Spanish Civil War era 93/95 action, manufactured in the Asturian arsenal of Oviedo. It's apparently been sporterized and perhaps unwisely rebarreled from 7x57 to the higher pressure 243 cartridge (the 93 is a lower pressure action and spanish made mausers are often soft steel with heat treating issues). In it's original configuration, Spain used this type of rifle in the Spanish American war, as well as the Rif war in Morocco, and on into their civil war between the communists and the Nationalists under Franco. Oviedo itself was the scene of a long siege by the communists against a small force of Spanish army and volunteers, who fought them off until they ran out of ammo and were about to be overrun, when at the last moment they were relieved by part of the main army under Franco. Maybe this rifle was used in that battle.

In the 50's, many of these were declared obsolete and sold off, or used for Civil Guard purposes, where they were also rebarreled to 7.62x51. Again, it's a high pressure cartridge for that action, and there are plenty of records of these blowing up. Maybe one of the gunsmith guys here can give you a better evaluation of your safety margin for a 243 in a 93/95 Spanish action.

this is most likely the original configuration, although there were several:

(pic snagged off the internet)

 

[C.O. Shooter]

Thank you very much for the information. I appreciate it. I'd love to fire it, however, would definitely have it looked at prior. If not, I have a unique conversation piece.

The letters beside .243 in the picture appear to be EHR. Pap didn't have any info on the rifle, other than it was given to him by his Pap.

Thanks again.

 

[MountainBlacksmith]

i had an argentine mauser in 243 sporterized with a burris scope.... it was very accurate, and i sold it, been regretting it for a while.

its a really cool piece with lots of potential, have fun with it