POTD: An Upgraded Mauser 98 – The Spanish FR-8
Sam.S 03.11.24
Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! In the 1950s, Spain adopted the FR-7 and FR-8 bolt-action rifles as interim measures while transitioning to the new CETME automatic rifle. The FR-7 was a converted Spanish Model 1893 Mauser, while the FR-8 was based on the stronger Model 1898 Mauser action. Both were re-barreled for the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge to standardize ammunition. Despite their vintage Mauser origins, they incorporated modern CETME components like the barrel, flash hider/grenade launcher, and adjustable aperture sights. The FR-8, in particular, had distinctive features – the tubular bayonet mount doubling as a storage compartment, and the ability to cut wire by firing through notches in the flash hider. While still manually operated, these economic conversions provided Spanish forces with an updated, if idiosyncratic, battle rifle until sufficient CETMEs were available. The FR-8 remained in limited use into the 1970s.
“Model: FR8
Type: Rifle
Gauge: 7.62
Barrel: 18 inch round
Finish: parkerized
Stock: walnutDated “1956”, with “CAI” import marks and a nylon sling”
Lot 311: Spanish La Coruna FR8 Rifle. (n.d.-b). Rock Island Auction Company. photograph. Retrieved March 10, 2024, from https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/2032/311/spanish-la-coruna-fr8-rifle.
