Of all the millions of Mausers produced over the years one of the most interesting is one that you don't hear about very often.
The one major feature that sets it apart from the rest is it was designed for a large rimmed cartridge.
For some reason the Siamese opted for a rimmed cartridge although the action is essentially a standard 98.
That feature makes it a desirable gun to convert to large rimmed cartridges as it possesses the legendary strength and safety features of the 98.
The problem with that is there are only so many out there and it's a shame to cut down and sporterize a pristine rifle.
If it's already been hacked up then no harm no foul.
The action is capable of any modern rimmed cartridge given a little common sense.
I worked with one in the 45-70 some years back and drove a 400 grain bullet at over 2400 feet per second without a problem.
I was toying on the idea of a 35-348 Ackley improved at one time but never did it.
I have an original rifle and it will stay that way as long as I own it.
The first version came out in 1902 and was the 8 X 50.
It used a round nose bullet of 321 in diameter weighing about 237 grains a typical 8mm of the period.
Its rated velocity was 2050 with about 2200 Ft Lbs of energy.
In 1923 the case was lengthened to 52 mm and a pointed bullet was added improving the downrange energy.
Load.
Many of the older guns were rechambered to the newer round thus saving them from buying a whole new rifle.
The bullet weighed about 181 grains with a velocity of 2250 with 2600 Ft Lbs of energy an improvement over the older load.
This round was adapted to various weapons including the Madsen, Browning and Vickers machine guns.
It was also used in the new issue Mannlicher rifles and carbines.
It was produced in Thailand until 1953.
If you have original ammo I would refrain from shooting it for a couple of reasons.
First it corrosive without a doubt and it might not go off.
Also if its in original packing it is too valuable to shoot.
Like all guns the proof in the pudding is in the shooting.
Cases are not available but can be made from 348 brass.
It does take some work to accomplish this but there is no option other then that.
I use standard 8mm bullets with complete satisfaction.
With modern loads and good brass it will compare favorably with any other 8 mm military round.
The round is a capable hunting round with good loads and proper bullets.
There is no reason that you couldn't take an elk at moderate ranges with it.
Like many military rifles it handles cast bullets very well.
Operation of the gun is just like any other 98 Mauser in spite of being a rimmed cartridge.
The bolt face is larger due to the rimmed cartridge though it resembles the 98 in most other ways.
The sights like most military arms are nothing to write home about.
The trigger is a military with a lot of travel before engaging but once you get use to it it's not too bad.
It does break consistently though.
The gun was never meant to be a target rifle and it isn't.
It was manufactured in the Thailand Arsenal the first cartridge be made there.
During WW ll the machinery was hid in the hills to avoid the Japs and then moved back to Bangkok afterwards.
It is a worthwhile addition to any collection as originals are fairly rare.