Chilean Mauser - Questions

[collectorm1ca]

I collect M1's, '03's, 03/A3's, 1917's and other U.S. stuff, so I know very little about foreign military rifles. I picked this rifle up about 10 years ago. Any information would be appreciated. You can see addtional photos at: http://s274.photobucket.com/albums/j...ctorm1ca/C243/

Thanks, Mike

[randy langford]

You have a very nice 95 Mauser serial number with the C prefix puts it being made in 1898 I believe. No letter prefix 1895, A 1896, B 1897, C 1898 and so on I could be wrong on this but I think that is how they did it. Any import marks on it?

[collectorm1ca]

I should have been more detailed in the first post. No, no import marks and the rifle is all matching. As I remember, when I first picked this up, someone told me something about it being in a shipment of rifles originally intended for South Africa. But it was sent back to Germany after being stopped in a blockade?

[JBinIll]

I should have been more detailed in the first post. No, no import marks and the rifle is all matching. As I remember, when I first picked this up, someone told me something about it being in a shipment of rifles originally intended for South Africa. But it was sent back to Germany after being stopped in a blockade?

The rifles intended for shipment to the Boers were marked "OVS"(Orange Free State) on the receiver and overstamped with the Chilean crest but retained the "OVS" markings.

[Art]

the rifles made by mauser for foreign contracts in the 19th and early 20th century were made to the same standards as their commercial sporting rifles. One in the condition of you'rs is almost a pearl beyond price. Fine looking Mauser.

[Rick]

Century sold these new in the grease for $75 a very long time ago. I bought two and let them slip through my fingers. One I cleaned up and fired and it was a very pleasant rifle to shoot. Low recoil and muzzle blast.
My rifles were mfg by Lowe if I remember correctly.

[EO1]

The rifles intended for shipment to the Boers were marked "OVS"(Orange Free State) on the receiver and overstamped with the Chilean crest but retained the "OVS" markings.

Not entirely so.
Some Chilean Boers were marked "OVS". Most were not.
They were of the 93 pattern (flat bolt face), bent bolt, generic DWM on the left rail, & serial #s were in the C001 thru C4000 range.

I have 2 . Your's looks real cherry.