After decades of collecting military mausers (primarily contract mausers made for South America), I finally purchased my first factory Mauser sporter. I put in a relatively low bid and ended up winning. I think it was a good buy. Let me know what you think. Auction closed 2/5/22 and cost after buyers premium and shipping was still under $650. Listing is here: https://lawsonandco.hibid.com/catalog/339791/2-5-22-gun-auction/?q=Mauser+type+A

The good -- matching numbers and correct civilian proofs for a 1910 Oberndorf mauser. 7x57. English proofs as well. Almost all matching numbers (the bolt shroud doesn't match). Decent bore.

The bad -- the receiver was drilled and tapped long ago, and the bolt modified to clear the scope. Work was done well and when I got it the screw holes had been filled with screws. Given that my eyes are getting old, along with the rest of me, I probably will put a scope back on this and use it for whitetails here in the Eastern US.

A few pics

I tried the recommendation from folks here to use raw linseed oil, rags and a tooth brush to clean the stock. About 30 minutes of care eliminated the matt mottled spots on the stock and brought out the tiger stripe. Very happy with this rifle.

This first pics shows the stock before a oil:


Here's after some oil and rubbing...I suspect more oil and friction would continue to clean the stock. The checkering is better after, but no where near as good as the pics shared under the stock cleaning thread.

Looks perfect to me and a really useful caliber.

CJF,
I have a really early 30-06 Oberndorf am/N that also had holes drilled/tapped and bolt altered. It also had rear sight base milled flat. At least you and I can now mount scopes without having to face the criticism of having ruined the rifles.
Mike

Very nice find. I'd probably scope it as well since its already been altered. So maybe the bad ends up being pretty good. Certainly more useful and versatile for modern hunting!

Scope it with a scope appropriate for its age, and it will look great.

Thank you all for the nice comments and encouragement to put a scope back on it. That will definitely help me hunt with it. Somewhere around the house there is an old German scope that was given to me (Pecar?) that I haven't seen since we moved 3 years ago. It's here...somewhere. Time to start looking.

Any advice on mounts that would compliment the rifle?

I don't have any real knowledge of scopes with internal adjustments but I just bought a vintage Weaver K3 that I put on a sporterized Krag. I would have held out for a Lyman Alaskan of some flavor if I thought I could find the rings that would work for using with the sidemount for the Krag.

In searching, I found this very cool place for vintage scopes. Something here, might be perfect.

https://www.vintagegunscopes.com/

I think I’d try some weaver bases and some type of rings compatible and see how low you can get that German scope! Post some pics when you get it all together.

The Pecar probably has a 26mm tube rather than the 1 inch we are used to. Find some redfield rings (marked 26 on the bottom) and some vintage redfield bases and you will have a beautiful setup

Most of the more modern rings of that size are marked for 1"/26mm, and work well.
Mike

I e been traveling, helping Mom get from WI to GA for a break from winter. When I get home I’ll measure the holes in the receiver and start looking at mounts. I’m thinking about the Talley QD rings and mounts. I have some on a Dakota and like the level of finish.

And to Mike and Brent and everyone who has contributed here, I really appreciate your help and kind words about the rifle.

Depends on it`s age ,I`ve had several and all were 1" ,so it`s best to check ! Very dependable scopes too,good quality glass.

So no progress to report re finding the scope I already have, so have bid and won auctions for a Weaver K3 and K4 to try to keep this looking somewhat 'vintage'. Got it to the range today (along with a new to me 450 BPE double) and am happy to report it shoots very well. Used ancient 1937 DWM 7x57 ammo as that's all I had, and it did just great. Will get pics ups of the scopes and mounts when I get both in.

Had this out yesterday at the range along with a new-to-me double rifle in 450 BPE. Very windy and cold for North Carolina, but on the plus side I had the range to myself. I don't do well with irons anymore, and all I had on hand for 7x57 was some ancient 1937 vintage DWM ammo, but I was very pleased with the results. Nice shooting rifle. Looking forward to putting a scope on it to see what it can do. Or getting my nephew to shoot it.