Krieghoff bolt info

[abj]

Ran across a Heinrich Krieghoff in 8x57 JS. Assuming this is 8mm mauser? I think it was made in 1920 or before. It was proofed with steel jacketed ammo.
Does anyone have any personal experience with pre ww-2 commercial Mauser's?
Sweet looking for it's age, two leaf express sights, full pistol grip and great color on metal and stock.
I'm thinking a great cast rifle, expensive though. Not a lot on the web except for their shotguns and double rifles.
Thanks,
Tony

 

[Spindrift]

I can only contribute some very general thoughts. The civilian Mauser rifles made in Germany were of very high quality. And Krieghoff has a long history of uncompromising quality in their guns.

 

[abj]

Yes it reminded me of my K-31 on the metal workmanship and finishing. Very smooth bolt, low monte carlo, perfect for the iron sights it has.
This gun has African safari written all over it. Oh it has double set triggers as well. Its a 14.5 length of pull and 23 inch barrel. Balanced with your hand across the bolt. Price tag is $900 so got no clue on real value.
Tony

 

[CZ93X62]

THAT IS A STEAL.

 

[abj]

CZ, I was afraid someone was going to say that. A few closed auctions that list the sold price were quite higher than that.
I am surprised at the lack of info on these, were there not that many imported to the US? or were the surplus markets giving better pricing.
The Iron sights are whats holding me back, it is too pretty a rifle to change it from its original condition.
Tony

 

[Ian]

The only Kreighoff I have has four sets of double barrels. There is no question about the quality.

 

[fiver]

the only Krieghoff I have is a semi-copy made by Remington.

you probably have a war bring back rifle, no American would have bought an 8X57 rifle until maybe the 90's.[ and even the price would have made them re-think the caliber choice]
but a GI with half a brain woulda snagged a K rifle up without hesitation.

 

[Spindrift]

Just make sure it is actually a «JS». As you probably know, there were two caliber standards for the 8mm, .318 (originally) and .323 (from around 1895). Civilian hunting rifles were produced in the .318 caliber for several more years, however (mostly break-actions, though).

The «S» is short for «spitzgeschoss», and the barrel will be .323.

The «J» is actually an «I» in gothic script, and is short for «Infanterie». If it is marked «8x57J» it is a .318 barrel.

 

[abj]

Really good info guys, thank you.
It is a bring back. According to the letter from Jim Cate(author of two books on Sauer pistols) it arrived here in 1945. Jim Cate purchased from the widow, then in 1992 sold the gun accompanied with the referenced letter. He claims a .323 barrel and born date of 1914 to 1920.

According to the proof marks I think the born date is 1912 give or take. or at least that's when it was proofed.

Again thank you for your response's.
Tony

 

[CZ93X62]

WWII GI bring-backs are a field all their own. I have several such items, and they can take a bit of research to nail down as far as identity and caliber are concerned. One of mine is a G98/40 in 8 x 57 JS, sometimes called a Mountain Carbine. The action is a split-bridge Mannlicher-Schoenauer, and it is a GREAT cast bullet rifle. I size the Lee 8mm/175 grain bore rider @ .325" and it runs quite well ahead of 16.0 grains of 2400. The "Carbine" appellation is a misnomer, though--a 23"-long barrel doesn't rate "Carbine" status in my book, usually.

 

[Ian]

Well, compared to a 30" 1896 Swedish Mauser maybe.