Need Help: Checking/Cleaning Old Firearms...

[Marlin]

Oh, And I still have no faith in the dude at Hickman's.

[BigBear]

[quote=Marlin;322944]BINGO!

http://www.texastradingpost.com/m88/turkconversion.html

It just might be 8MM

ETA: Does your reciever mark look like this?

That's it exactly... so details, this is a 8mm? We are having a bit of trouble taking the lower wood off the barrel. Have a dissasemble technique?

[Marlin]

Did you look at the link?



Couple of links in that one that should get you a little more info.

I just figured after reading your description, There was no way it was a Nagant..

And the pictures confirmed it.

[BigBear]

Did you look at the link?



Couple of links in that one that should get you a little more info.

I just figured after reading your description, There was no way it was a Nagant..

And the pictures confirmed it.

Rgr,
After more research it does seem to be a 8mm Turkish mauser... however, the bolt does not match the original (different numbers too) so it must be a replacement... so much weirdness... this is why I prefer newer firearms.

However, everything is clean and gtg. Thanks for all the help suggestions, etc.

Take care.
Bear

[Marlin]

Just pay heed to this;

The same care should be taken in shooting the Turkish converted rifles as with any other M1888 German Commission Mauser. Even though they have been re-barreled to the modern .323 bore these rifles should only fired with minimum hand loads and preferably cast bullets. The receivers where built over 100 years ago and were not designed to take the pressures of modern ammo. It is recommended they not be fired with any Modern European or American Ammo.

With your question on the bolt though, I'd say you have a great wall hanger.

[BigBear]

Just pay heed to this;




With your question on the bolt though, I'd say you have a great wall hanger.

Rgr, thanks again everyone for all the help etc. We went ahead and cleaned em all. The BP gun should be fine. The Mauser, I did tell him he could just get a "real" (known firearm) for just a few hundred. Told him I personally wouldn't shoot it. We still can't find a pic online of the rear of the bolt head that looks like his...

No, I can't take pics. He left a few hours ago. It looked like an old skeleton key (lock part) flattened and screwed onto the rear of the bolt... but we couldn't get it unscrewed or even the bolt seperated to clean teh firing pin, etc... Previous owner also apparently GLUED the barrel to the stock at the front sling point under teh barrel band... weird stuff...

[Marlin]

My guess to that might be the safety.. Tell him to see if it pulls back and rotates and locks everything up.

[ldmaster]

If the denim doesn't do the trick (I love ATF, it's what predominates my soaking tank) you shouldn't use steel wool for a couple of reasons.

The microscopic particles of steel wool will embed in the steel and quickly start rusting again, even if you use oil you can't help but leave behind small particles.

The more Zeros (0) in a steel wool, the finer it is up to 000000. Typical stuff you'll find is 000 or 0.

Use brass wool, just as available and it doesn't scuff the steel, the rust is pretty soft and the brass wool floats it right off without marring the surface. Can't have too much lubrication, so dip it in ATF, rub, dip, etc...

Remember that most "blueing" is, essentially, a highly polished rust coating. It's how they make that deep blue, most Mosin's I've seen have a very light blueing coat, so it's prone to rust because it's finish is basically rust - keep it oiled!

S&W used to do 10 coats of rust/card/buff by HAND on their revolvers - oh for the good old days...

I'd cast the chamber to make sure the gun is a particular caliber, it's cheap to get the kit from brownells and it's reusable!

SOME Mosin's also made it into service with the Israeli's during the formation of their country. They always overstamped the barrel chambering, so it would be obvious if it was one of those.

The 762x54R catridge is sorta like the 45acp, it's been made with bullets from 100 to 220 grains, huge pressure differences and variations by manufacturers. This was mostly due to application, there was not "universal" loading for this round, it was almost always purpose made and issued only to those units with the gun it was intended for. Not to even talk about the East bloc rounds that hit the market, they varied hugely too.

The greatest difficulty a gunsmith would face with the 54R round is that it is a RIMMED cartridge, 8mm mauser, 762nato are all rimless designs. I've never seen a conversion that didn't involve a new barrel. If you haven't already done so, remove the action from the stock and inspect the barrel for arsenal marks, I'm betting it's an original barrel.

The federal 7.62x54R is a pretty mild load, and if it's the original barrel, should shoot safely.

[Rinodods]

I'd say you have a Turk GEW88 there. http://www.turkmauser.com/gew88/

If they actually told you that was a Mosin they are nuts. The mag does look similar but that is about it. The bolt release on the side should have been a giveaway at the least. Not to mention the receiver, bolt, sight....and on. lol
Glad you didn't waste any money on 7.62x54 ammo. I'm guessing their mention of conversions might have been in reference to some mausers being 7mm and them being converted to 8mm later. This is actually why most 8mm mauser commercial ammo is actually load pretty light. Just in case you fire it off in a 7mm rifle.