This post is about a very special Mauser M03 which is reluctantly being offered for sale by a contact in the UK. Pictures below.
Derek is a veteran of many African safaris, regularly made in the company of his good friend and hunting partner of 46 years, Barry. Sadly, Barry has been summoned to a happy hunting ground in another place. I purchased a Mauser M03 rifle case from Barry's wife, which Derek posted to me here in Australia on her behalf. I'll have to write a story about this case - it truly is a most convenient and gentlemanly way of transporting a beautiful rifle between home and the day's hunting ground.
So here's a question. Do you have a 338 Remington Ultra Magnum in your Mauser M03 collection? What about one with an African stock in Grade 7 walnut? I'm sure yours has a fluted, match barrel that's prepared for a moderator, along with a kick-stop, engraved magazine and every accessory needed to take such a beauty out for some work.
No? Oh.
Well, Derek has one.
He ordered it with the intention of making one more trip to Africa with Barry. That trip had to be cancelled and after a pause for reflection Derek has decided that this rifle really needs to fulfil its destiny, though, in someone else's hands. He has good experience with what a powerful 338 calibre rifle can do on the plains. He will enjoy reading a report about what this particular rifle can achieve, be it in Africa with Kudu, in British Columbia with grizzlies, in Montana with elk, Norway with elg, or in Australia with three big piggies standing in a row. So far this rifle has only been fired at a plywood deer cutout that Derek spotted in his back yard one day. Those things are tough and it took twelve carefully aimed shots before it raised the white flag. I'll post some pictures below.
The rifle is listed for sale with Derek's gunsmith in Scotland, at a price of £3750 GBP. My computer tells me this is about $5350 USD, €4350 Euro and $6900 AUD. Everyone here knows what a new order Mauser M03 costs. Factor in the special features with this one and its minimal use ... . That's a good price. I wish it was still 2010 when Australia dodged the financial crisis. Our dollar was amazing then.
If you would like to know more please strike up a conversation with Derek on the Mauser M03 Blog Discussion Forum (link at top of page, or here), where I will cross-post this message. You and Derek can switch to private messages as you see fit. Or post a comment here. I'll see those and will put you in touch if needed. Please encourage Derek to talk about his trips to Africa; he has some stories to tell which we'll all find interesting.
Regards, Rick.
