I know, I know. It's a travesty..

[Calfed]

But I didn't do it!


I got it at an auction today. Description advised as follows:

"Persian "IRAN" Mauser (D-288). Model 1898/29 comes in caliber 7.92 X 57. Condition is at 95%. Drilled for scope mounts that are in place. Bore is mint. Comes with current import marks. Nice European walnut with a few bumps and dings. Beautiful blue and metal finish."


I'll post better pics and a range report when it arrives.

[Liam]

This type Mauser was my very first milsurp purchase. Got an unissued one with bayonet (longest bayonet out there, I think). I eventually stripped that tacky shellac off and rubbed on Minspeed for a flatter/more satin look. I also added a MOJO rear sight aperture. The protective ears on the front sight disallow mounting the matching front aperture, but the MOJO system still works - centering the front post in the rear aperture. I had a guy who speaks Farsi translate the markings for me. On the butt, indented in the wood, there are the unit type markings. Mine was an Infantry unit. On the side of the receiver will be the date of manufacture. Even though these were produced by the Czechs on German tooling, the receivers and ladder sights are in Farsi. Also, the Persian calendar system is used to date the receiver, so you'll need someone who knows that calendar to figure out what year it was made. This one of my longer rifles - especially with that pig-sticker bayonet attached! Contemplating mounting a scope ("Scout" style). Should be a good shooter. I look forward to your photos.

[Calfed]

My sons and I shoot in a vintage Military rifle silhouette match and a vintage military long-range match at my range. The matches are set up for "as issued" rifles, but both matches have an "open" class for scoped military rifles. We have heretofore only fired the match with open sights, but I kinda wanted to get either a scoped Persian or scoped '09 Argy to try out the "open" class with.

I can't bring myself to mutilate a nice mil-surp, and have been on the lookout for one that someone else had already done the dirty work on. I know that this one no longer has any collector value...but, it was priced accordingly.

[Liam]

I suspect if you remove the scope rings and mount, and return the Farsi ladder sight, this rifle would be A-OK for "as issued" as well. If that interests you. Here's what the ladder looks like:

I'd give you the one off my rifle I'm not using, but I may wish to return it to original configuration for sale one day. When you get the rifle and clean it first time around, please note the workmanship (lack of tool marks, etc.) on your rifle. Mine was made in 1931 and is a piece of art! Bets of luck.

[Calfed]

No sweat, Liam. I actually have several "as issued" Persian Mausers. Bought several of the "no blue" Persians from Samco a few years ago when they were dirt cheap and restored them.

http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=59057

How is your accuracy with your Persian?

[Liam]

Ha! You know of what you speak! Yeah, mine looks as good as your photos. As for accuracy...I got spoiled by my mild-shooting Swedish Mausers in 6.5x55, so I don't spend much time shooting the Persian Mauser. That metal buttplate doesn't do much to reduce recoil! I shot it until I was sore the first time out. Next day I started bruising, the third day I was black & blue! Shooting from a bench, no doubt, exacerbated the felt kick. Admittedly, I was shooting at a range where it is mandated that you buy and shoot THEIR ammo. So, I was shooting some hot rounds. Now, with my reloading, I can tame some of the kick and still have a good shooter. It is still one of my prettier rifles.

[Shooter5]

That is kinda neat. Where did that bolt handle come from? The mount covers the imperial seal which is a bit of artwork in its own right.
Lot's of them have been found in Messopotamia. I would suppose captured during the 1980's war.

[Calfed]

That is kinda neat. Where did that bolt handle come from? The mount covers the imperial seal which is a bit of artwork in its own right.
Lot's of them have been found in Messopotamia. I would suppose captured during the 1980's war.

I'm pretty sure that the bolt handle is the original. It appears to have the remaining matching Farsi characters on it.

[Shooter5]

If you do some higher res pics and include any markings on the bolt root we could tell. The Side receiver is too hard to read as of yet.
Overall, looks like a good job. I'd shoot it/and have bought it!

[leftyo]

that should make a decent rifle to shoot. if it works out well with your scope choice, you can mount it low and the front bell of the scope will sit where the rear sight was.

[Calfed]

The Persian arrived today and is without question one of the finest condition Persian that I've seen...bluing is near perfect, a few dents in the stock, even the "straw" coloring on the screws is intact, bore is superb.


The scope base install and the bolt turn-down appear to be first rate. I'm certain that the bolt is the original because there there is a partial serial number in Farsi on the handle.

[Calfed]

I meant to post these pics some time ago. The Persian arrived and I was delighted. It is without question one of the finest condition Persian that I've seen...bluing is near perfect, a few dents in the stock, even the "straw" coloring on the screws is intact, bore is superb.

[da gimp]

There are smiths who can fill the screw holes for the mount & it'll be nearly undetectable.

Or you might want to put a decent scope on it & use it to hunt. Either way, it'll still be a fine rifle & it's up to you to decide.

[Calfed]

I have a couple of unmolested Persian Mausers and I bought several of the "no-blue" Persians from Samco back when they were $199. I have restored a couple of them and intend to do the same to the one remaining un-restored example.

http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=59057

I was looking for one of the Persians or an Argentine Mauser that someone had already done the dirty work on. I'll mount a scope on it and report back how it shoots.

[John Sukey]

Liam, a bit OT, but if you want to see a LOOOONG bayonet, the blade on the one for my Martini-Henry carbine is a tad over 24 inches!