The Portuguese Mauser By Pedro Mateus
(literally ‘National Light Weapons Ammunitions Factory’), it stopped accepting orders and had its operations closed by the Government in 2001 – despite worldwide recognition and demand for their quality product – not only for this cartridge but also for the 9x19mm Parabellum, 7.7x56 mm R, 7.62x51 mm
originals, not converted, in 6.5x58mm still available and in serviceable condition (and some close to mint condition!).
Competition – ‘Armas de Ordenança’ The Portuguese Shooting Federation has a long tradition of promoting competitive shooting with vintage (pre-1960) standard issue military pistols and rifles (in Portuguese - ‘Armas de Ordenança’) with regional and national shoots held regularly along with seasonal club matches.
As of 2011, Portuguese regulations and match calendar, the Vergueiro rifle (along with other Portuguese standard issue military rifles such as the German Mauser Gewehr 1898 / 98k 8x57mm and
Top view of chamber and bolt (closed)
Detail of the King D. Carlos I crest engraved on the top of the chamber
[NATO] and 7.62x39 mm
While remaining stocks last, this is the recommended ammunition for the Vergueiro rifle. When these stocks are fully depleted the best option will be re-loading.
Military Rifle and a collectable item The Vergueiro was the standard rifle used by the Portuguese Army on the World War I African operations in Angola and Mozambique (while the British Lee-Enfield was the rifle used in Europe). It was also exported, for military use, to South Africa and Brazil. It remained in service as late as 1960, when a Portuguese re-enforcement company was dispatched to East Timor with the ‘good old trusty’ m/904 - when the standard rifle was the German Heckler & Koch automatic/semi-auto G3.
The Vergueiro is currently a much sought after collectable rifle – not only among Portuguese vintage weapons shooters and collectors but also worldwide among numerous Mauser rifle fans. Most of the currently owned models are the 1939 modified version for 8x57mm but there are also some rare
Perspective on the 20 position marked scale for the elevation adjustable sight
the British Lee-Enfield .303) has two disciplines in which to compete – the 300 metre prone (40 shots) and the 100 metre prone (20 shots) – this latter one a ‘combined’ match, where the competitor will also shoot pistol (at 25 metres) with the classic Portuguese standard-issue German-made Luger P-08 9x19mm Parabellum.
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