Turkish Mauser M38???

[Iron_Colonel]

Hi all. Just bought my FIRST Mauser today. I have always liked them. I was looking in some local pawn shops. The first one I hit said they didn't sell firearms, and told me to go to another down the street that does. So I go in, and ask the lady if they have any 1911 style pistols, which they didn't, which was what I was looking for originally. I was about to walk out right away and something caught my eye on the wall. It was an M44 Mosin. Checked it out, and another. Then looked at 2 Mausers. I asked her if the $125 price tag is negotiable on the second Mauser, and she said there was a 25%off sale on it. So she did up the discount and after paperwork and taxes, I was out the door only down $101.and change.

So I had some questions. Not knowing anything about Mausers, first off, what kind/type of Mauser is it? The tag that was on the gun said Mauser Model 98 8mm. After taking it down, taking off the stock and wiping it all down in the cleaning process, I found some other info. Stamped very lightly near the muzzle on the barrel on the right side, is "M1938 German 8MM". Above that stamp (also on the right side of the barrel), which is stamped more thoroughly, is what appears to say "C.A.I. S.I. ALB VI" with the dots as I see them on the barrel.

The receiver and sight aperture have matching #s, but the mag and trigger guard assembly and bolt are all different. The bore looks decent. Not what appears to be any pitting either. The grooves look what I think is pretty good for a rifle stamped in 1940. There wasn't much cosmoline either to clean out. Just in some nooks and crannies. It would appear a previous owner(s), (according to the woman I spoke with, brought it in for a loan or something, and never came back for the gun) kept it in pretty good shape.

The stock looks pretty good. Its a nice deep color and decent glossy finish to it. There is a chunk that has been cut out on the butt of the stock under the buttplate and replaced. It looks like its supposed to be there. No numbers visible on the wood stock to my untrained Mauser eye, unless there are hiding places I overlooked. (Or any other numbers or stampings for that matter)

Stamped on the receiver is a Crescent moon with the two points pointing towards the muzzle, and the star in front of that. To the left of that at about a 45 degree angle is the letter T. To the right at the same angle is a C. Under the T on the left is stamped AF. To the right under the C is stamped FA. Below that stamped on the left is AMK. To the right is stamped ARA. Then at the bottom the date: 1940 centered. Hopefully this will be visible in the picture well enough to make it out according to the description. I included other various pictures from different angles. There is included a cleaning rod. It is brass. Don't know if that is or was standard issue with them.

I am not sure what other info to add. I guess the most important thing, the stamp on the receiver is there and legible. Based on what little research I have pulled up on the net, I suppose I could do measurements of things if need be. There is also a small hole at the fore end of the trigger guard. My research has designated that a sling hole? The whole thing is held together by two big screws on the bottom by the mag plate and trigger guard. They are held in place by two smaller locking screws. It has a straight bolt handle design like a Mosin. Has a bayonet Lug. If anyone knows of any good websites for doing research I'd be happy to know of them. And based on the pics and description, is $100 decent for this? Thanks for the info.

[sbowers5]

You have a turkish 8mm mauser and a $100 ain't bad, and the hole in the front of the trigger guard is not a sling hole but a hole to attach a winter trigger for use in the dead of winter when the troops would be wearing gloves their fingers would not fit inside the trigger guard. hope that helps a little.
steve

[SwedeSteve]

Great pictures! I love it when people take the time! Congrats on the buy! PS- That looks an awful lot like a MAJ's oak leaf! LOL>>>

[GlockMeister]

Very nice. Only saw a tad bit of pitting. Wish it was mine. Way to go. Congrats on your new addition. lol

[Big Dog]

The vendor stamping is actually 'CAI St.Albans Vt' Century Arms International imported it via their St. Albans facility in Vermont.
The rifle was made at the Turkish arsenal in Ankara, Turkey.
The Turkish rifles are generally good, but they really used them - many are well-worn. Some have rough wood - like they weren't final-finished. Others are quite nice!
Early M-38s were converted to the M1938 Standard from earlier Mauser models - so some differences can occur between individual rifles.
Try the Turk 8mm ammo if you can find it. I've found that the sights of military Mausers are regulated for the ammo of their own nation - Turk 8mm tends to be a bit 'hotter' than other 8mm. It shoots high in many non-Turk Mausers.

[Iron_Colonel]

Hey guys thanks for the info. AWESOME!! Keep it coming. And Swede you can have the gold one, then maybe I would outrank someone in this forum Thanks guys, I really appreciate the time and info!!

[jlem]

I picked up a 1938 turkish mauser last month. I also picked up a couple hundred rounds of 1942 turkish ammo for 20 cents a round and the stuff shoots wonderful. I did not have any misfires or split casings and the gun grouped 1.25 inches at 50 yards dead center.

[Iron_Colonel]

Where did you get the Turkish ammo? I will now be in the market, for obvious reasons !!!!!! I am fricken stoked about this gun!

[jlem]

I buy it local in Reno. If you want to pay for shipping, it cost me $18.00 after tax for 70 rounds ( he rose his price a few bucks on Monday ) and I will send it to you for the same price. I know that he had 700 rnds last week.