spanish mauser info needed!

[tsmith]

my brother and law has a spanish mauser he is trying to find some info on. it says "Fabrica De Armas Oviedo 1928 all the parts are matching. the markings are RE8487. he wants to know what round it shoots because we have found a pretty long list of what cal. it has been made in. also is the date made 1928? where can i find info on this gun? thank you!

i can email pics if you need them. thanks!

Edited March 30, 2010 by ts.smith
more info...

[Garufa]

It most likely is 7mm Mauser (7x57mm), if it was never converted.

Pictures will go a long way in helping to figure it out.

[Westwindmike]

Is this it?

The Oviedo Model 1893 was made from 1896 to sometime between 1928 and 1941 depending on which source you care to believe. Distinguishing characteristics of the Oviedo Model 1893 are:

1) Oviedo logo consisting of crown, "Fabrica de Armas Oviedo" and the year of manufacture on the top of the reciever.

2) Most have 29" barrels. Some examples with 22" barrels have been reported; these appear to have had their barrels shortened and fitted with new front sights, presumably by an importer.

3) Folding leaf, a.k.a. "flip up ladder" rear sights.

4) No thumb cutout on the left side of the receiver rail to facilitate cartridge charging.

5) Gas escape holes in the left side of the receiver itself appear sometime between 1917 and 1922. I don't have any more specfic information than that yet.

6) The bolts have a flat surface on the bottom of the face, which was supposed to provide more reliable feeding.

7) Original bolts have straight handles

Oviedo93

[Bigiron]

SurplusRifleForum.com. More info than you'll ever need.

[tsmith]

thank you all for the info thus far. and to westwindmike: is not the same rifle in the pic, i wanted to post pics but am not allowed apparently.

[bajabuc]

How many locking lugs on the bolt?

[1gewehr]

It will be most likely either 7mm Mauser or 8mm Mauser. Any gunsmith can gauge the bore to determine which. All of these early Spanish Mausers were made in 7mm Mauser, but many were re-barreled in 8mm Mauser from 1937-1944. To further confuse the situation, many were also later configured into the FR-7/FR-8 carbine in .308. These are easily recognizable by the flash hider and HK-style front and rear sights.

If you have a round of 8mm Mauser, pull out the bolt and drop it in the chamber. If it goes all the way in, it's an 8mm. If not, it's either 7mm or .308.

[Murgatroy]

It will be most likely either 7mm Mauser or 8mm Mauser. Any gunsmith can gauge the bore to determine which. All of these early Spanish Mausers were made in 7mm Mauser, but many were re-barreled in 8mm Mauser from 1937-1944. To further confuse the situation, many were also later configured into the FR-7/FR-8 carbine in .308. These are easily recognizable by the flash hider and HK-style front and rear sights.

If you have a round of 8mm Mauser, pull out the bolt and drop it in the chamber. If it goes all the way in, it's an 8mm. If not, it's either 7mm or .308.

Don't forget the Civil Guardia rechambered to 7.62x51 NATO.