doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion German & Austrian Sporting Guns @ doublegunshop.com Franz Schmidt Wartime Mauser Sporting Rifle

I have a Mauser I have always found intriguing. It is built from a Kar 98a (a small ring) with the original barrel having been rebored to 9.3x57. It has a trim sporter stock with checkered grip, front sling swivel attached to the barrel, ramp front sight with from-the-front silver bead insert, and a two leaf rear sight. All the metal work has a high polish and has been blued. The markings have been removed from the action with the exception of what little remains of the top of an original proof type crown on the right side of the receiver along with a wartime eagle N. The 7.9 is still on the collar of the barrel. Under the barrel is neatly stamped Franz Schmidt, 9.3x57, wartime eagle N and eagle J, 743, and what I'm guessing is the mark of the proof house, an inverted "heart" with a "Christmas" tree inside it. If 743 is the reproof date it has seemed odd to me that someone would go to the trouble of having a sporter built in 9.3x57 unless maybe they planned to do a little moose hunting in Scandinavia. Any id on the proof house, data on Herr Schmidt and thoughts on the build in general? By the way, the trigger is exceptional and accuracy is outstanding with everything from 232 grain bullets, 250 grain bullets, 270 grain bullets and 286 grain ones wanting to shoot to the same place.

The touchmark of the Heart that encircles the fir tree is that of Zella - Mehlis. Ah, it could have been made for a client headed to the Dark Continent. Boy there really seems to be some turmoil on the South end of Africa due to the ongoing "land grab" or "seizing of the property of white land owners" as they term it. What was the mechanic Franz Schmidt's locale, Ostheim/Rh�n or Suhl?


Cheers,

Raimey
rse

Or was it Franz Schmidt OHG of Z-M with Franz & Herbert Schmidt as stakeholders?

Cheers,

Raimey
rse

The eagle J is reproof of a repaired or altered firearm. Converting to 9.3 would have required this proof. The eagle N is the mark for a smokeless definitive proof. The 743( July 1943) is the date of reproof in Zells-Mehlis. The use of surplus Kar 98 rifles for reworking to sporting rifles was most prevalent post WW1. I believe the rifle was built in 8mm (x57 or 60?)and for some reason rebored to 9.3 in 1943, maybe for personal preference, or maybe the 8mm barrel was no longer useable. A photo would be helpful to at least see the "style".
Mike

Maybe not so odd after all. I just ran across this: http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?121797-what-is-this-sporter
And a reference to the Herbert and Franz Schmidt company that: Before WW II, the company provided Sweden with repeating carbines in 6.5x55 and 8x57 IS calibers. During WW II, the Schmidts serviced, maintained and repaired the K 98 rifles of the German Wehrmacht as well as maintained spare parts of different weapons of all categories.
The Swedish connection!