[rinavy]

http://www.familyfriendsfirearms.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=28&pictureid=358

This is a Mauser 1918 anti-tank rifle, 13.2x93mm (.525cal), 5'7" long & just under 40 lbs. The only one I've ever seen is in the Aberdeen Proving Grounds Museum, the one in the photo is for sale at AuctionArms (with lots more pics & history of weapon), required two man crew to operate.

[sharps_74]

Were they not anti-tank weapons?

[Popeye]

After WWII Iver Johnson imported some of these rifles. He installed turned down M2 .50 BMG barrels with a muzzle brake quite similar to the one used by Barrett and restocked the rifle. Years ago I had one.

I am unable to find the listing on Auction arms.

[Popeye]

Found it. The auction has closed.

http://www.auctionarms.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=9336579&oh=216543

[bluedlightning]

Most of the Mauser ATR (anti-tank rifle) were rebarreled for the 50 BMG round to get around having to register them as a destructive device. Same was done for the Boys ATR's. From what I read in my Mausers of the world book they were only marginaly effective against the WWI tanks because of thier horrendous kick, inaccuracy, lack of training for gun crews and lack of material to make the AP rounds. Though they look real cool.

[sharps_74]

I thought that I remembered my friend telling me that they had a couple of those that were issued to his unit in the war. If I am not mistaken, the shot needed to be placed just right to stop one of the American tanks. That was a long time ago and my memory is not clear on what all he said.

[Barkley]

At the tank museum in Danville VA they have a Russian built gun of about the same caliber and size. The tag says it was "unpopular" with the troops because of recoil.

[bluedlightning]

2 units of US Marines in the pacific durring WWII used the British Boys ATRs. They reported they gave good results on the Japanese tanks but were too heavy and recoil was too stout to shoot often by a single gunner.

[Zen900]

At the tank museum in Danville VA they have a Russian built gun of about the same caliber and size. The tag says it was "unpopular" with the troops because of recoil.

I personally can't stand excessive recoil in a firearm but I am fascinated by early 20th century firearms that Mauser produced because all their rifles were too powerful. It is my theory that Mauser had the belief that battles could be won by merely scaring the opponent away rather than actually shooting them. I'm not surprised Mauser made a .525 caliber that was to powerful to shoot by one man. However, if a tank were coming at you I'd think you might tend to overlook the recoil of an .525ATR if it meant your survival. I wonder if we could get R.Lee Ermy to fire one of these suckers on his new show on the History Channel? Somehow I don't imagine he'd mind the .525 recoil.

[richfolkes]

Most of the Mauser ATR (anti-tank rifle) were rebarreled for the 50 BMG round to get around having to register them as a destructive device.

Given that, I probably would believe that it would give the gun a new lease of life as a very long range sniper rifle. Strange that the idea of using a converted Mauser ATR didn't come up during WWII. It coulc have spawned say, the .50 Springfield M-42 Sniper Rifle or the Stirling ST-38 VLR. I'd say it may well have been changed the course of the war if some bright spark in the SAS or the Screaming Eagles were to use it in order to assassinate Hitler. Too bad. A .50 BMG sniper rifle would have been an invaluable tool against the enemy.

[bluedlightning]

Small Arms Review issue for this month has a in depth review of the german atr. Vol. 13 No. 4. Take a look its realy enlightning.