Starting with three of the Mauser rifles the first step was [...]]]> Our friend Axel made a table for Shirley to go on the new veranda that we have been working on. To go with the major theme of Gun Lab he made it from some of the Mauser rifles that we have a surplus of.

Starting with three of the Mauser rifles the first step was to get them cleaned up.

He then cut and re-welded the barrels to form an angle.

They were then mated together and welded to form a tripod table base.

Then a small table top was added to hold the morning coffee or the evening cocktails.

Shirley loves her table.

No quality Mauser rifle were hurt during this build.

This is his project: Starting with one of the old, [...]]]> With all the Mauser rifles that I picked up something needed to be done with them. I gave a couple to a friend of mine to do some playing around with. At the same time he asked for a couple of single stack AK magazines.

This is his project: Starting with one of the old, rusty Mauser rifles

We cut one of them apart to have a closer look at the condition of the inside of the receiver.

The locking lug area looked to be in good condition

The reason for cutting this particular rifle was the crack in the rear of the receiver

His is one of the Chinese Mauser receivers with fake FN markings but it cleaned up with minimal work.

He cut down the rusted barrel and threaded the inside to take a SKS barrel that did not have the gas port drilled in it.

Then he modified the magazine housing to accept a single stack AK magazine

He drilled and tapped the rear of the magazine housing to accept the magazine release lever spring and guide

and a single stack AK magazine was fitted to feed properly

A little work had to be done to the AK magazine for proper fit up due to the tolerances in the magazine.

The feeding and extraction was tested with dummy rounds.

Now he just needs to find an old sporterised Mauser stock to finish his project.

There are plenty of more Mauser projects here.

A comment from John D.,a friend of gun lab, concerning Chinese Mauser’s.

Chinese Mauser actions should always be proof tested before being used. Mukden (Shenyang) Arsenal was the only Chinese Mauser manufacturer that actually knew what it was doing and had stable processes (regardless of who was in charge) over their entire existence. Mukden was also colocated with the An Shang steel mill, the best in China during the Mauser era. The rest of Chinese Mauser producers were plagued by the vicissitudes of warlord culture. Mukden never used counterfeit identifications on their weapons to the best of my knowledge. A Mukden Model 1935 Mauser rifle compares well with the best from Europe.

How they were stored.

This rifle is a Model 1941 short rifle with a transitional stock. It uses [...]]]> At the last SAR show I was finally able to pick up a Mauser rifle that I have been looking for for over 30 years. When they were available I had no money and you know the rest of the story.

This rifle is a Model 1941 short rifle with a transitional stock. It uses cross between a model 937-A short rifle stock and a 1941 short rifle stock. The main difference is  the change from the flat to a cupped butt plate, the change of the forward sling attachment point and The lack of a grove at the rear sling attachment point. The stock is matching to the rifle.

I have always found the Portuguese crest to be one of the most beautiful of all the crests.

Like a number of these rifles they were pressed into Germany service during the war. There are acceptance stamps on the receiver,stock and parts.

A nice addition to the Gun Lab reference collection.

He really did a very nice job [...]]]> Rod Henrickson, a friend of gun lab, was nice enough to send me a few pictures of a cut away Mauser rifle that he made. As everyone knows I have a thing for cut away weapons and i really appreciate the work that Rod put into making his.

He really did a very nice job as can be seen in this picture.

A big thank you to Rod for sharing his work.

This is a link to a video of Rod operating his cut away.

I was reading on of my favorite go to sites a while back and saw this short write up he did on trench magazines.

This is the link to the short write up that was done at.

http://laststandonzombieisland.com/2016/03/28/mmmm-trench-mag/

I thought I would add some to his post.

This is a GEW98 Mauser with an [...]]]>  

I was reading on of my favorite go to sites a while back and saw this short write up he did on trench magazines.

This is the link to the short write up that was done at.

http://laststandonzombieisland.com/2016/03/28/mmmm-trench-mag/

I thought I would add some to his post.

This is a GEW98 Mauser with an extended 20 round magazine from the Gun Lab reference collection.

The makers mark. W co DRP

Made in 1916

The stock repair behind the front band

While heavy and awkward they did provide additional fire power for the troops in the trenches.