Back in 1976 I was lucky enough to buy a 1909 Argentine in like new condition.It’s one of the most accurate military issue rifles I’ve ever shot.The absolute best military rifle I’ve shot is a 1986 Swedish mauser sniper with a receiver date of 1900.That old gun wil give my Remington 700 heavy barrel .306 a run for it’s money.
1976 must have been a good year to buy Argentine Mausers as it was just about that time I bought mine. Walter Craig in Selma got in a bunch of brand new unissued ones with the original test targets included.
It was the most beautifully made rifle I have ever owned and that includes a lot of commercial ones. I still remember Herr Ritzmann had shot a two inch group at 200 meters and signed the target. The group was about an inch high. He did that with open sights.
Deutsch Waffen Und Munitionsfabrik must have lavished care on their manufacture. I read an article not too long ago which said if the rifles were made today to the same standards of fit and finish, the price would be around $2000 each.