I have a '95' which appears to have been a 'presentation' model of some sort, I've never seen another like it or even heard of one. The principle difference is that the stock is a Honey Blonde color finish that appears, to me at least, to be something similar to a gloss linseed oil. In stark contrast to the deep blue barrel and action and bright bolt; the rifle is visually quite striking. Another peculiarity, is that the rifle appears to have been fired extremely rarely perhaps even limited to only the factory test firing; as the barrel/chamber/bore reveal no wear at all. I had a trusted old gunsmith friend of mine examine it for safety (headspace etc.) and his response was to immediately try to buy it from me- and for a VERY healthy sum:) When I declined, he sadly pointed out that ALL the parts were original, and all carried the same serial numbers and that I should probably keep it as a family heirloom as in all his years, he also, had never seen one like it. I've now had it for some 60 odd years and surprisingly, though I take it out, clean and just admire it every now and then, I've found that because it's just so damned elegant, I've never felt the need to fire it myself; my legacy spec serv/ops son feels the same way. Perhaps HIS son will be the first in the family to actually fire it some day. In the meantime, I'll just keep appreciating the sure pleasure one derives from possessing one of Mr. Mauser's finest works.
Great video! Brought back memories. In 1990 I did a year as a Cadet in Military School in Chile (in that time we did the last 2 years of high School there). We used the Mauser for basic training. Very big gun for such a young kid! Definitively hurts your shoulder on the march out in the fields. Our rifles were very worn out. They had been rechambered in 7.62 mm NATO and were in use in some units, like artillery up to the early 80s. Our Mausers were so used that even the new bores were dilated, so we only used blanks. In those days the blanks had a wooden plug instead of a bullet, so you better not shoot it at someone point blank, the wood splinters were dangerous! We also used the Mauser for bayonet practice. That was crazy! Someone asked about the short cleaning rod. We joined two rods to use them. We stuck a piece of paper in the rod eyelet and used parafin. In the Military Parade we used the Steyr carbine. In the range and during guard duty we used the FAMAE SIG in 7.62. Now the army is using 5.52 a lot. Both SIGs and the new Galil ACE. Nice to see the old Mauser in such good shape!
@@practicalnottactical The history behind the Loewe company is very interesting. Look up Ludwig Loewe on the internet. I share your love of the '95 Chilean rifles. I have several, including rifles, short rifles, and carbines. The quality built into these weapons are awesome. Best of luck in your collecting.
Awww love it. My first rifle was one of these back in the late 1980's. When I got it, it appears that it was hardly ever fired, and after removing all the dried up cosmolene (took me a week), the accuracy was almost scary. You shoot the target, then shoot the thumbtack holding the target. Sweetest shooting rifle I have ever had. Soft, smooth, and accurate. As you said, the weight really sucks up the recoil, and keeps you steady under it. I've shot a number of deer with it (it's almost a little much for our deer, which are fairly small), but never needs more than 1 shot. Only sad thing is, here in the States, 7x57 has all but disappeared over the past 20 years. Used to be you could find it on the shelf anywhere, but now I've only seen maybe one or two boxes in the past few years. I keep some rounds for it, and don't shoot them any more than I need to for that reason. But man, what a gun. Great video!
I picked one up about a year ago. At 125 years old it's one of the best bolters I have. Especially shooting round nose 7x57. Mine isn't parts-matching, but the bluing is near perfect and the rifling has perfect lands with very lightly frosted grooves. Here in the US the pre-1898 ones ship straight to your door, no ffl, no paperwork, no BS. Just throwing that out there.
You have great looking rifle. I learned the care and feeding of military bolt guns on one of these. Got an early Lowe version and still have it. Picked up a Soligen mfg bayonet. Good caliber 7mm Mauser.
I have one that was made in Loewe, all numbers matching, even the bayonet. Any full power ammo it shoots 20+" groups at 80 yards. But if I hand load some 139g hornady spire points, with 12.8g of trailboss powder and oal of 3.100, I get palm sized groups.
I have one Love it. But I have a question. How long is the cleaning rod? Is it 2 pcs? I can unscrew mine to remove it but it’s only 17” long. Is there another section stuck in the stock?
I think the rods were used as a pair joined together, shared between two soldiers. I would imagine each soldier would have been issued all the cleaning kit accessories. I have read elsewhere that this is why the rods are shorter than the barrel length.
