Watch: A Broomhandle Mauser With a Scope

Here’s an interesting old semi-auto rifle that’s about 120 years old, still looks pristine, and wears a period scope–from a period when scopes weren’t exactly commonplace.

Looking at the way the scope was mounted, it’s hard not to be impressed. The German gunsmith who did the work certainly earned his fee. Not only is it well-engineered, the fitment between scope and mounts is great, attention to detail is there, and the metal finish blends right in with the rest of the gun.

I don’t see any fasteners holding the scope mounts to the gun, and I wonder if they’re both silver-soldered in place. The auction page says the rear base is sweated on, but doesn’t specify about the front.

I’d love to have this old popper; wouldn’t you? Alas, the sale price of $51,750.00 is a tad above most pay grades.

Russ Chastain

Editor & Contributing Writer Russ Chastain is a lifelong hunter and shooter who has spent his life learning about hunting, shooting, guns, ammunition, gunsmithing, reloading, and bullet casting. He started toting his own gun in the woods at age nine and he's pursued deer with rifles since 1982, so his hunting knowledge has been growing for more than three and a half decades. His desire and ability to share this knowledge with others has also grown, and Russ has been professionally writing and editing original hunting & shooting content since 1998. Russ Chastain has a passion for sharing accurate, honest, interesting hunting & shooting knowledge and stories with people of all skill levels.