About Paul Johnston Expertise I can answer most questions regarding firearms, their use, function, action etc. with a focus on german firearms my speciality.
Experience I am a registered Federal Firearms Licensed dealer. and am owner of Johnston Small Arms Co. . I am a part-time gunsmith and full-time gun enthusiast.
Organizations Pro-Gun NH, Gun Owners of NH (G.O.N.H.), Life memeber NRA, Instructor NRA., member North American Hunting Club.
Education/Credentials I have a certificate in machining, and have apprenticed with Ed Lander of NH for 5 years, a full-time gunsmith since 1946.
Question QUESTION: I HAVE A FABRICA DE ARMAS OVIEDO 1909. NEED TO KNOW WHAT THE CALIBER IS EXACTLY.
ANSWER: I believe you have a model 1893 Mauser which would have originally been chambered in 7x57mm Mauser. Thanks.
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QUESTION: SO FAR WHAT IVE FOUND OUT IS THAT RIFLE WAS CHAMBERED IN SEVERAL CAL.. MY QUESTION STILL HASNT BEEN ANSWERED AS TO WHAT CAL. {EXACTLY} IT IS. YOU WOULD AGREE IF I PUT THE WRONG CAL. BULLET IN THIS GUN THE RESULTS COULD BE BAD. THANKS ROSS
Answer Yes, results would be bad. They were originally 7mm, though at any point in it's 100 year history it could have been rechambered or rebarrelled to many different calibers so no way for anyone to know if it isn't marked. Do this, jam a patch down the barrel from the back end past the chamber to where the rifling starts, actually 1" past....then melt some wax (canning wax at grocery store), stand rifle upright with muzzle on floor, pour wax into chamber, before it hardens stick a twig in the wax, when it hardens and cools pull out the stick, now you have a wax casting of your chamber, measure it and compare to the dimensions of a 7mm. Only sure way, and measure the end to be sure of bore diameter. Thanks.
