My mother gave me a gun the other day that belonged to my grandfather. It's a 1891 Mauser Argentine and according to the serial number it was built in 1901. I don't know when my Grandfather last shot it. He used to hunt deer 40 years ago when I was very small and Pased away about 10 years ago. It is really good shape. My son took it apart and cleaned everything. We got some Hornaday ammo at Cabelas, I couldn't believe they had 7.65x53 Argentine ammo on the shelf.
We took it out and shot it at a target in my back yard about 35 yards using the iron sights. It shot pretty good. I couldn't Imagine that a gun made 109 years ago, before the Wright brothers made there first flight, before The Model T. still shoots as good as a new one. The bolt action feels great. All my shots were within 3 inches shooting standing up with no rest.
My brother had his brand new Marlin xl7 30-06 and The Mauser felt about the same recoil wise. I looked up the balistics and it is between a 30-30 and a 30-06. I think I might take it Deer hunting, It would be kinda neat to hunt with my Grampa's gun. I never got the chance to go hunting with him. Then I will give it to my son.

Any of you guys ever hunt with one?

I have owned an Argentine, but it came and went some years ago. It was a shooter too.
As far as the age, we were breaking a newbie yesterday at our own range and I let him shoot my 1873 winchester in 38-40 that was made in 1878. That would make it some 132 years old. I don't shoot it much, but it is what it was made for and I respect it with lighter cast loads. It is always a hit and the cool factor is right up there!
There is no greater tribute to our forefathers than a hunt with their guns. Go for it and get us a big one. he feeling is great!
Larry

A friend had one....it was solid, accurate, powerful and functioned very well.

I wish you all the best hunting with it.....remembering grandfathers everywhere!

well i tell my friend i have 4 guns of my great grandfather and they shoot and look just as new a winchester 1873 38-40 winchester 1887 12 gauge, a browning auto-5, and and a colt 1911 from 1915 and i tell i have hunted with the winchester 73 and the browning and i tell some of my new rifles dont shood as good as these.