Mauser appraisal?

Doc Jones · 10-16-2009, 08:00 PM

Hi Gang,

I had a guy come into my vet clinic today with what he called "an old Mauser 8 mm" to put toward his rather substantial bill. I took it in trade. I really have no idea what it is or what it's worth.

It has the following letters.

TC
AS (star) FA
ANK (crescent pointing up) ARA
K. Kale
1943

There is a crescent pointing upward to a star between the digit groupings on line 2 & 3.

It's not in great shape cosmetically. I'll try to get some pictures posted later.
Can anyone give me any info on this rascal? My son-in-law who's more of a gun buff than I thought it was Russian.

What side of the war was this gun likely used on? Russians shooting Germans? Germans shooting Americans? Germans shooting Russians?

Serial #132487

Anything anyone can tell me would be much appreciated.

Doc

gandog56 · 10-16-2009, 08:06 PM

I'm not sure, but a crescent makes me think it might be Turkish.

ANK=Ankara?

gandog56 · 10-16-2009, 08:11 PM

If the marking looks like this, it would be a reworked Gew 98:

nathangdad · 10-16-2009, 08:45 PM

it is very likely to have wound up in their military at some time.

If it is not in great shape it most likely is not worth much.

However, there are those who take the actions to mate with a new barrel and a new stock. This can be a great path to a good hunting gun. So, check the action and the trigger pull.

Personally, I would give over $75.00 toward settling a bill. But, that's just me and I feel others will post other viewpoints.

pico · 10-16-2009, 08:57 PM

Those older Turk mausers are not bad. If it is a 1940's date, then it should be based on the Mauser 98 design and have a bolt with 3 locking lugs. If it is in rough condition, which has been the only way I have ever seen this type of rifle, I would say this rifle is probably worth at most $150. That would be if it is a shooter. While I would not invest any money in a set of guages for just one rifle, I would have it checked out and perhaps give the guy $75 - $100 in credit for this.

SightNSqueeze · 10-16-2009, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doc Jones

Hi Gang,

I had a guy come into my vet clinic today with what he called "an old Mauser 8 mm" to put toward his rather substantial bill. I took it in trade. I really have no idea what it is or what it's worth.

It has the following letters.

TC
AS (star) FA
ANK (crescent pointing up) ARA
K. Kale
1943

There is a crescent pointing upward to a star between the digit groupings on line 2 & 3.

It's not in great shape cosmetically. I'll try to get some pictures posted later.
Can anyone give me any info on this rascal? My son-in-law who's more of a gun buff than I thought it was Russian.

What side of the war was this gun likely used on? Russians shooting Germans? Germans shooting Americans? Germans shooting Russians?

Serial #132487

Anything anyone can tell me would be much appreciated.

Doc

If your Turkish Mauser is an early example, it was probably made in Germany for the Ottoman Empire which was one of the Central Powers composed of the Ottoman-Turkish Empire that controlled all of the Middle East, The Austrian Empire that controlled much of eastern Europe, and the German Empire under Keiser Wilhelm which had considerable holdings around the world. It would have been used against British Empire forces in the Middle East. The same Mauser in the form of the Model 98 would have been in use by German forces from southern Africa to the trenches of Europe at about the same time during World War I. Just think of the movies, Lawrence of Arabia or ANZACS and you will get a good time line, uniforms and equipment. The allied powers of the time were the British and French empires, Czarist Russia under Nicolas II, Italy, and better late than never, the United States.

SightNSqueeze · 10-16-2009, 09:34 PM

I just noticed the 1943 date. Apparently your Mauser was a World War II manufactured Kar98k used by the Nazis and reissued to the Turkish armed forces after the war. There were some 12 million Mausers accounted for after World War II and they served as primary and substitute arms for a number of countries in the early years of the Cold War until newer arms came on the scene.

JimBob · 10-16-2009, 10:23 PM

A little information on Turkish Mausers Turk Mauser - Model of 1938 Turkish Mausers don't bring a lot and are still available from surplus dealers.

Doc Jones · 10-16-2009, 11:03 PM

Thanks guys.

Doc

ShellShock · 10-17-2009, 04:04 PM

I paid $100 even for my 1940 8mm Turkish Mauser. While I may have been able to find a cheaper Mauser online, I didn't have to pay for shipping, and I did not need to provide an 03 C&R FFL.

Capt'n Mil Coll · 10-17-2009, 04:26 PM

Most Mausers start at $250. You can always get a deal somewhere but that is the starting rate at most shows or shops that I saw. If I could find a mauser for $100 now I would buy it in a heartbeat. I would say you have a Model 1938 Turkish Mauser Mfg'ed in 1943. The conditions are usually fair on these rifles because the Turks were involved in so many wars. Especially in the deserts. The really great condition Turk Mausers go for usually over $1000. if not refinished. Made by Waffinfabrik Mauser, Oberndorf am Neckar. And purchased from Germany by Turkey.

Capt'n Mil Coll · 10-17-2009, 04:33 PM

Turkey was mainly neutral in WWII until it was nearly over. Then they joined with the Allies. They did take in a lot of Jews and saved their lives. These Mausers were mainly used in internal and border wars.

ShellShock · 10-18-2009, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt'n Mil Coll

Most Mausers start at $250. You can always get a deal somewhere but that is the starting rate at most shows or shops that I saw. If I could find a mauser for $100 now I would buy it in a heartbeat.

I had the feeling I was doing quite well.... I didn't realize exactly how well until you said that.

10-16-2009, 08:06 PM	#2
gandog56 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Montgomery, IL. Posts: 11,784	I'm not sure, but a crescent makes me think it might be Turkish. ANK=Ankara? __________________ People think I'm paranoid because I own guns. If I own guns, what do I have to be paranoid about?

10-16-2009, 08:11 PM	#3
gandog56 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Montgomery, IL. Posts: 11,784	If the marking looks like this, it would be a reworked Gew 98: __________________ People think I'm paranoid because I own guns. If I own guns, what do I have to be paranoid about?

10-16-2009, 08:45 PM	#4
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 5,164	If not originally Turkish it is very likely to have wound up in their military at some time. If it is not in great shape it most likely is not worth much. However, there are those who take the actions to mate with a new barrel and a new stock. This can be a great path to a good hunting gun. So, check the action and the trigger pull. Personally, I would give over $75.00 toward settling a bill. But, that's just me and I feel others will post other viewpoints.

10-16-2009, 09:34 PM	#7
SightNSqueeze Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Intercoastal Sea Islands, SC, USA Posts: 2,725	I just noticed the 1943 date. Apparently your Mauser was a World War II manufactured Kar98k used by the Nazis and reissued to the Turkish armed forces after the war. There were some 12 million Mausers accounted for after World War II and they served as primary and substitute arms for a number of countries in the early years of the Cold War until newer arms came on the scene. __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Was "Your" Voice Heard Today? NRA-ILA ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

10-17-2009, 04:04 PM	#10
ShellShock Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 60	I paid $100 even for my 1940 8mm Turkish Mauser. While I may have been able to find a cheaper Mauser online, I didn't have to pay for shipping, and I did not need to provide an 03 C&R FFL. __________________ Eagle Ammo™ - Specialty ammunition, made in USA, by skilled American workers.

10-16-2009, 08:00 PM	#1
Doc Jones Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 107	Mauser appraisal? Hi Gang, I had a guy come into my vet clinic today with what he called "an old Mauser 8 mm" to put toward his rather substantial bill. I took it in trade. I really have no idea what it is or what it's worth. It has the following letters. TC AS (star) FA ANK (crescent pointing up) ARA K. Kale 1943 There is a crescent pointing upward to a star between the digit groupings on line 2 & 3. It's not in great shape cosmetically. I'll try to get some pictures posted later. Can anyone give me any info on this rascal? My son-in-law who's more of a gun buff than I thought it was Russian. What side of the war was this gun likely used on? Russians shooting Germans? Germans shooting Americans? Germans shooting Russians? Serial #132487 Anything anyone can tell me would be much appreciated. Doc

10-16-2009, 08:57 PM	#5
pico Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 202	Those older Turk mausers are not bad. If it is a 1940's date, then it should be based on the Mauser 98 design and have a bolt with 3 locking lugs. If it is in rough condition, which has been the only way I have ever seen this type of rifle, I would say this rifle is probably worth at most $150. That would be if it is a shooter. While I would not invest any money in a set of guages for just one rifle, I would have it checked out and perhaps give the guy $75 - $100 in credit for this.

10-16-2009, 10:23 PM	#8
JimBob Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: East Central Illinois Posts: 725	A little information on Turkish Mausers Turk Mauser - Model of 1938 Turkish Mausers don't bring a lot and are still available from surplus dealers.

10-16-2009, 11:03 PM	#9
Doc Jones Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 107	Thanks guys. Doc

10-17-2009, 04:26 PM	#11
Capt'n Mil Coll Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Right behind you. -NRA Member- Posts: 3,386 Images: 45	Most Mausers start at $250. You can always get a deal somewhere but that is the starting rate at most shows or shops that I saw. If I could find a mauser for $100 now I would buy it in a heartbeat. I would say you have a Model 1938 Turkish Mauser Mfg'ed in 1943. The conditions are usually fair on these rifles because the Turks were involved in so many wars. Especially in the deserts. The really great condition Turk Mausers go for usually over $1000. if not refinished. Made by Waffinfabrik Mauser, Oberndorf am Neckar. And purchased from Germany by Turkey. __________________ Let's light this fuse and see what happens!

10-17-2009, 04:33 PM	#12
Capt'n Mil Coll Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Right behind you. -NRA Member- Posts: 3,386 Images: 45	Turkey was mainly neutral in WWII until it was nearly over. Then they joined with the Allies. They did take in a lot of Jews and saved their lives. These Mausers were mainly used in internal and border wars. __________________ Let's light this fuse and see what happens!