[Eric in the Ozarks]

I own an earlier version made for the Argentine army.

[oldvirginian]

I have one made for the Chilean army. Still has the paint on the Loews of Berlin and Chilean crest. Wood is unpolished but good. Can still see the stampings on the stock.

[snoringbear]

“I own an earlier version made for the Argentine army.” I have a 1903 Springfield which is pretty much copied after the Mouser, especially the action. While serving in Germany after WWII in what was referred to as The Occupation Forces my dad had a German gunsmith sportsterize it, It has a wild cherry stock with cheekrest, flip up/down speed sights, two triggers of which the rear one is a set trigger which causes the front trigger to become a hair trigger when set, Ziesse scope. Anyway, a work of art. I’m getting on in years and soon need to make a list of how I would like my long guns, handguns, knives, etc (some are worth some money such as two Randall’s) bequeathed. Anyway, things to do 😏....

[fini]

Here is a little known detail. German rifle companies made their rifles made for the German military out of steel from German mined steel and the export models were made of foreign steel. The purpose was to ensure that the internal mining and manufacturing base were maintained. And the export contracts required a higher level of fit and finish (competition does raise standards). However, the steel from South American countries is better steel. So the South American Mauser rifles are higher quality than their German Army counterparts.