Chaing kai-Shek Model Rifle…………….(f 719) SOLD

An interesting Chaing Kai-Shek Short Model Mauser Rifle.

Produced in China by state arsenals during a period between 1939 and 1949.  Quality varied enormously but to all intents and purposes this one is not too bad at all.  It has a good walnut stock and hand-guard and some remaining finish.    Chambered in standard 8mm Mauser (7.92 x 57) with a Mauser turn bolt action.  The rifle will hold 5 rounds in a staggered internal magazine.  The bolt arm is a straight unit.  There is the conventional Mauser three position flag-safety system to the rear.

The rifle carries a serial number which appears to be matching all over of H 6195.  It is not easy for me to describe the markings over the receiver; you will have to see them yourselves (above)  Within the lower marking it is interesting to note the use of the Buddhist left-facing Swastika which also appears on other parts of the rifle.  It has an entirely different meaning from the Swastika adopted by the Nazis.  The lower marking is believed to be the Arsenal marking and the upper marking ( bow within a cogwheel) possibly the marking for the Northwestern Army of General Feng Yu-Hsiang. (See: Mausers of the World – R.Ball) They are quite unique to see on Mausers in the Western world.

Similar in many way to rifles being produced for western governments other nations the rifle measures 43.5/8″ in overall length.  The round blued barrel is a nominal 23.1/2 long and the trigger pull to center is 13 exactly.  Semi-pistol grip hard-wood stock with steel contoured butt-plate.  The fore-end has finger groves on either side of approximately 4.1/2″.  The usual mauser cross-bolt action bolt below the receiver ring.  A very interesting marking on the RHS of the butt-stock which is fine but unfortunately undiscernible.  Most probably the mark of the State Arsenal from which the rifle originated. Milled steel trigger guard and magazine floor plate.  The forward section of the assembly has the matching numbers applied in the same, quite heavy typeface. Also in that vicinity is the same swastika design and the last three digits are repeated on the magazine floor-plate.  The manufacturers of the this Chinese built mauser have seen fit to include the looking screws system used on the German mausers.

The rear action bridge has the cut-out for the facility of clip loading the rifle.  Conventional bolt release on the rear LHS of the action, numbered in the normal manner and matching.  It is unfortunate that the bolt carries Imperial German markings on the underside of the stub so it is not a great leap of faith to come to the conclusion that the bolt has been force-matched to the rifle.  However, I can vouch for the fact that they were head-spaced and proofed together.

The barrel is original to the rifle as the number can bee seen on the section between the rear sight and the receiver ring.  The rear sight is the conventional Mauser rear sight that we are all familiar with marked up n western numerals. On lifting the leaf up fully a different rifle number cab be seen on the sight components but, the same left facing Swastika is right beside it.  Fitted with a mid-barrel band with front sling swivel underneath.  That band held in position by a short spring.  Bayonet fitting and H-shaped nose cap with cleaning rod stored under.  Front sight ramp could be a replacement, it is grooved for a sprung cover and it just looks too good.   Some bluing remains on front exposed portion of barrel and H-band.

Action fine, Bore very good. Bright, strong rifling no apparent misting or obvious pitting.  This is a rear treat of Mauser collectors in this hemisphere – a chance to pick up a rifle that has most likely been mixed up in some very unpleasant conflict and is relatively rare, yet highly shootable.

Ask for Stock No’  f 719

£ 625.  SOLD

Comments Off on Chaing kai-Shek Model Rifle…………….(f 719) SOLD