Removal of Cleaning Rod & Front Strap?

steve101 · 01-08-2003, 09:01 AM

Just picked up a Turk Mauser from Dunhams. It was $54.99 with their $25/$50 rifle/shotgun sale this week. It's stamped with the year 1942.

I was successful removing all the stubborn screws, some of which are in bad shape. The barrel/receiver are free from the stock, except near the muzzle. What is the trick to removing the cleaning rod and the front steel "strap" connecting the barrel to the stock, about 3 inches back from the muzzle? The cleaning rod spins free, but I can't pull it out. My guess is there is a notch in the rod which keeps it from falling from the gun, but I can't figure out the release. I have tried pushing and rocking the 1/2" wide flat piece of metal imbedded in the bottom part of the stock that runs under this "strap", but no luck (it seems to play a part in holding the cleaning rod and the "strap" in place).
Also, can you recommend a place to buy replacement hardware since some of the heads & threads on the screws are shot? The nearest large gun show isn't until March/End (in Harrisburg, PA).

Much thanks guys.

bowser · 01-08-2003, 01:11 PM

You need to use a brass punch and hammer or some other tool to smack that retainer down far enough to get that front band off. The clip pressure is quite substantial. I bought one of the Turks from Dunhams here in MI when they first started sellin then like 3 years ago here. It took me about 2 weeks worth of fightin and askin questions before I finally just took a flat screwdriver and a hammer to get that band off. The gun was already beat to hell, but it was the best of the worst they had, not to mention packed inside and out with cosmo, so it was hard to distinguish actual condition of the gun. The cleaning rod should just pull right out of the stock, it may just be held in by a hardened blob of cosmo down inside the stock. As far as the screws, maybe try Gun Parts Corp. or Brownlls? Hope this helps.

bowser

Big Dog · 01-08-2003, 01:30 PM

The cleaning rod threads into a steel retainer that is set into the stock fore end. It sounds as if it has started spinning in it's recess. If you can get the bands off, and the barreled action out of the stock, you should be able to reach the retainer - put some penetrating oil on it and use needle-nose pliers to hold it while unthreading the rod? Actually, I've never known this to happen before. Odd problem.

bowser · 01-08-2003, 01:59 PM

If I remember correctly, I'm pretty sure that the cleaning rod passes thru the end cap/bayo lug. If the rod won't come out because of the insert, what would be the best thing to do, cut the patch holder off the rod so the cap can slide off? At least then you could remove the barrel and get to the retainer without having to try to bend it up out of the way( I don't mean bend the barrel enough to permanently warp it.) Maybe the end of the cleaning rod is just silver soldered onto the rod. It does look like a separate piece, so a propane torch may take care of that. Soldering the end back on shouldn't be a big deal.

Fourtrax · 01-08-2003, 02:46 PM

Just so happens I saw my brother-in-law tear apart a Turkish Mauser the other day. The cleaning rod is threaded in the stock. With a apir of visegrips he squeezed the retaining clip out at the end of the stock and then unscrewed the rod and pulled it out. Some come out harder than others, so the hammer and screwdriver in the rod slot works good. Good luck!

01-08-2003, 09:01 AM	#1
steve101 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 2	Removal of Cleaning Rod & Front Strap? Just picked up a Turk Mauser from Dunhams. It was $54.99 with their $25/$50 rifle/shotgun sale this week. It's stamped with the year 1942. I was successful removing all the stubborn screws, some of which are in bad shape. The barrel/receiver are free from the stock, except near the muzzle. What is the trick to removing the cleaning rod and the front steel "strap" connecting the barrel to the stock, about 3 inches back from the muzzle? The cleaning rod spins free, but I can't pull it out. My guess is there is a notch in the rod which keeps it from falling from the gun, but I can't figure out the release. I have tried pushing and rocking the 1/2" wide flat piece of metal imbedded in the bottom part of the stock that runs under this "strap", but no luck (it seems to play a part in holding the cleaning rod and the "strap" in place). Also, can you recommend a place to buy replacement hardware since some of the heads & threads on the screws are shot? The nearest large gun show isn't until March/End (in Harrisburg, PA). Much thanks guys.

01-08-2003, 01:30 PM	#3
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,642	The cleaning rod threads into a steel retainer that is set into the stock fore end. It sounds as if it has started spinning in it's recess. If you can get the bands off, and the barreled action out of the stock, you should be able to reach the retainer - put some penetrating oil on it and use needle-nose pliers to hold it while unthreading the rod? Actually, I've never known this to happen before. Odd problem. __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

01-08-2003, 02:46 PM	#5
Fourtrax Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: ny Posts: 22	Just so happens I saw my brother-in-law tear apart a Turkish Mauser the other day. The cleaning rod is threaded in the stock. With a apir of visegrips he squeezed the retaining clip out at the end of the stock and then unscrewed the rod and pulled it out. Some come out harder than others, so the hammer and screwdriver in the rod slot works good. Good luck! __________________ If cows laugh real hard, does milk come out of their nose?

01-08-2003, 01:11 PM	#2
bowser Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 45	You need to use a brass punch and hammer or some other tool to smack that retainer down far enough to get that front band off. The clip pressure is quite substantial. I bought one of the Turks from Dunhams here in MI when they first started sellin then like 3 years ago here. It took me about 2 weeks worth of fightin and askin questions before I finally just took a flat screwdriver and a hammer to get that band off. The gun was already beat to hell, but it was the best of the worst they had, not to mention packed inside and out with cosmo, so it was hard to distinguish actual condition of the gun. The cleaning rod should just pull right out of the stock, it may just be held in by a hardened blob of cosmo down inside the stock. As far as the screws, maybe try Gun Parts Corp. or Brownlls? Hope this helps. bowser

01-08-2003, 01:59 PM	#4
bowser Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 45	If I remember correctly, I'm pretty sure that the cleaning rod passes thru the end cap/bayo lug. If the rod won't come out because of the insert, what would be the best thing to do, cut the patch holder off the rod so the cap can slide off? At least then you could remove the barrel and get to the retainer without having to try to bend it up out of the way( I don't mean bend the barrel enough to permanently warp it.) Maybe the end of the cleaning rod is just silver soldered onto the rod. It does look like a separate piece, so a propane torch may take care of that. Soldering the end back on shouldn't be a big deal.