Can anyone provide some background information on this rifle?

On the receiver tang is stamped: CaL ST ALB VI, M12 - 308. On the left of the breech is a stamped symbol that looks like an inverted scientific female symbol. A circle with a touching cross on top at the 12:00 o'clock position. Outwardly it appears as an unaltered military piece.

Externally, this rifle has definitely seen better days. Although it really shows its age with stock and metal surface wear. The lands seem in good condition and the crown is not worn or dinged-up. It was a gift and I was told that it was a Swiss mauser.

Is this rifle a $400 treasure a $125 shooter or a $39.25 POS? Fixit up? Leave as is and shoot it? Use it for a tomatoe stake?


Samchap Waldoboro, ME

Can anyone provide some background information on this rifle?

On the receiver tang is stamped: CaL ST ALB VI, M12 - 308. On the left of the breech is a stamped symbol that looks like an inverted scientific female symbol. A circle with a touching cross on top at the 12:00 o'clock position. Outwardly it appears as an unaltered military piece.

Externally, this rifle has definitely seen better days. Although it really shows its age with stock and metal surface wear. The lands seem in good condition and the crown is not worn or dinged-up. It was a gift and I was told that it was a Swiss mauser.

Is this rifle a $400 treasure a $125 shooter or a $39.25 POS? Fixit up? Leave as is and shoot it? Use it for a tomatoe stake?


Samchap Waldoboro, ME

Can you post some pictures?

Lee L.

Can anyone provide some background information on this rifle?

On the receiver tang is stamped: CaL ST ALB VI, M12 - 308. On the left of the breech is a stamped symbol that looks like an inverted scientific female symbol. A circle with a touching cross on top at the 12:00 o'clock position. Outwardly it appears as an unaltered military piece.

Externally, this rifle has definitely seen better days. Although it really shows its age with stock and metal surface wear. The lands seem in good condition and the crown is not worn or dinged-up. It was a gift and I was told that it was a Swiss Mauser.

Is this rifle a $400 treasure a $125 shooter or a $39.25 POS? Fixit up? Leave as is and shoot it? Use it for a tomatoe stake?


Samchap Waldoboro, ME


The rifle was imported by Century Arms Corporation of St. Albans, VT before they moved to Florida. Century Arms has a website at www.centuryarms.com. They may be able to give you more specific information.

As a side note, Switzerland never adopted the Mauser rifle but used the Schmidt-Rubin straight bolts. All the best...
Gil

M1894, No picture available. I just thank God that I can get this far.

Gil, I'll follow the link.

Guys....thanks for your time and responses.

Samchap Waldoboro, ME

If it is a Steyr 1912-61, then it most likely is/was a Chilean Mauser that was converted to 7.62 NATO. 1903 Springfield 30-06 barrels were used. The threaded shank was cut off, and they were rethread to Mauser threads, and rechambered to 308/7.62.
The receiver ring should say MODELO 1912-61 and stamped under that will be NATO. The circle with the "+" in it, is the NATO proofing or acceptance stamp.
I did read the other day that short rifle versions of the 1912 will converted with 2 groove 1903 barrels, and the long rifle version was converted using 4 groove barrels.

I bought one on GUnbroker for $120 just for the action. It cleaned up good and is a real shooter so I kept it as 308.

I bought 4 barreled receivers from Centerfire. 3 had 2 groove barrels and 1 had a 4 groove. I rebuilt the 4 groove to proper 1912 specs including the stock. One 2 groove I rebuilt using a straight bolt, for my "Lefty' son. He finds it much easier to work a staight bolt when reaching up and over. 3 of the recieivers came with a spacer in the magazine to handle the shorter 308 cartridge. The 4th didn't come with a triggergaurd.
The charger clip slot were all modified so that American style 7.62 stripper clips could be used.