The Russian Mosin Nagant Forum

I swung by my LGS and just happened to get there as a guy who had a Spanish FR8 on hold decided not to buy it. I snapped it because it has tiger striping in the stock and I'll just about buy about any rifle that has good striping no matter what the make or caliber, but I lucked out as the this rifle is in very good condition and also happens to shoot 308 so I don't have to go load up on another caliber.

This rifle was made in 1953 uses a 1943 German Mauser action.

Very nice! Congrats. I just have a cheapy Spanish 1916 .308 Mauser, but I love the affordable 7.62/308

Nice

These have got to be one of the coolest looking bolt rifles around. How do they shoot? I know you'll be anxious to find out.

I'm thinking it's going to kick like a mule and put out a fireball like an M44, but I'll let you know. It has a really unique rotary rear peep sight that you turn to adjust for distance. My range is buried in snow so it might be a while before I can shoot it, but I'll post a report after I do.

Nice and real nice stock. The FR 8 is one of my favorite Mausers.

Recoil is a little little less than an M44 I think, and not alot of muzzle flash.

Very nice rifle. Congrats!

Was there anything inside the hidden compartment? A few diamonds may be?

Nada. I need to get a cleaning kit to fill it up.

desdem12 wrote:Nice

Man, I like that a whole lot....
Never heard of those before.

I hadn't heard of them either, but what's not to like about a re-chambered German Mauser that shoots 308? Even their bayonets are cool.

The FR8s are made from Spanish M43s. They are large ring Mauser 98 actions, but they aren't German. Here is a good Spanish Mauser site. http://milpas.cc/rifles/ZFiles/Spanish% ... panish_FR8

There appears to be some conflicting information on the net (go figure). From what I've read, I take it that these rifles were converted from existing stockpiles of Mausers the Spanish had. Maybe my inference that the rifles were at one time German is off, but these are converted Mausers. Right?

From Wikipedia:

History

The FR7 and FR8 were introduced in the 1950s when the Spanish military was already implementing the CETME automatic rifle, but did not yet have sufficient inventory to equip and train all troops. The rifles were made from existing stockpiles of Mauser bolt-action rifles. The FR-7 was a modification of the Model 1916 short rifle, which in turn was based on the Mauser Model 1893. These three rifles are often referred to as being "small ring" Mausers, as the receiver ring is smaller in diameter than the latter Model 1898 by .110-inch (1.410 inches vs. 1.300 inches).[4] The FR-8 was developed from the Model 1943 short rifle, which was based on "large ring" Model 1898 Mauser action. Both rifles were modified to fire the 7.62×51mm CETME and 7.62x51mm NATO rounds.[5][6][7] The FR 8 was used well into the 1970s by mounted Guardia Civil units in the Sierra Nevada

Yes they are converted Spanish Mausers. The FR7s are converted small ring actions,(like the mod 1916s), and the FR8s are large ring actions. (the m43s) I have only ever seen one FR8 in the wild and it was refinished. Cool rifles.

Got it!

The Spanish were given lots of aid rifles. Vz24 polish wz29s and others. The Spanish then took the large ring rifles from the war and made m43 and m44 Spanish mausers. After that they receivers were recycled again and used for the fr8.
http://www.carbinesforcollectors.com/sp ... lwar1.html
Scroll down to the bottom for a list of rifles sent to spain for the scw

Love the stock!! Remember - only 7.62x51 NATO. Oh, let us know about the injury to your shooting shoulder.

Great info. Love learning about a new rifle and its history!

This is a full size large ring receiver. the m43 and m44 used 8mm mauser out of it so it should be ok for 308 but they could be getting old by now