I looked at my 21H action & it doesn't have that step, so that settles that. Do you have "Bolt Action Rifles" by Frank de Haas ?, there is quite a write up in there on FN Mausers (Pages 171 to 179) - I suppose I could scan & Email. There were as far as I can tell 4 variants of the large ring + one small ring. #1 - 1947 FN Mauser basically a 98 Military Mauser. #2 - FN Deluxe with DSTs basically a Military Mauser except for the DSTs. #3 - FN Bench rest still with a Miliary bolt shroud. #4 - FN Series 400 Supreme in large and small ring (the large ring was the common action used on Browning rifles (eg. Safari)). These actions could be had in 7 mag. lenghts for various cartridges. See pics of some of my Mausers - Google <Nitroexpress><Mauser Photos & Archive><Mauser Pics.> near the bottom of the first page, my custom 6mm using the small ring FN is pictured there (the only one with a scope). I'll let you know about the scan after I talk to my scanner. --- John303.
For you Mauser owners/experts, I need some ID help...
- Thread starter The Kurgan
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- Steel Town and The Peg
Interersting you should note that. I have a 1946-47 FN Mauser, except its a contract military version, and as you state, its basically the same as as the 1947 commercial variant.
Nice rifles you have there! If you could photo your small ring action, I think it will finally settle the origin of my rifle's action... which I am strongly leaning towards FN.
Except for the small ring and small barrel shank threads it is a FN 400 Supreme, very few where made - I wish I could find out how many. Is there any way you can confirm yours has the small shank barrel threads, which if true would make your action somewhat rare? The reason I say this is to confirm your action is not a large ring ground down. My curiousity has been aroused so I will dismantle the rifle just to check it out asap. Thanks for the compliment, a bit hard to get one on the NE site, it would seem. --- John 303.
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- Steel Town and The Peg
At this point, I am not going to remove the barrel, as I am not really set-up to do it carefully. However, I look forward to seeing what your small ring action looks like underneath.
I am not surprized that they are somewhat rare, who would want to part with a well made, strong Mauser action that is also lightweight and ideal for sporters?
I believe there is a way without removing the barrel, I say this because after some dispute (as to the existance of such an action) with a smithy at Epps in Clinton, I brought the gun in and he confirmed that it was in fact a small ring FN. I bought the action only from C. Parkinson Sr. and had a Douglas premium barrel installed so I had no doubt it was as I argued. I did all the stock work myself using a Calif. Eng. Walnut semi-finished stock from Herters Any how, curiousity got the best of me this p.m. - the action bottom is the same as yours and jbm's step and all, #1 in a sqare, ML on the recoil lug, #s 3385 on the flat but no hardness ping marks. Obviously by the ejector / bolt release & shroud yours would be a precusor to the FN Supreme. It would seem that you could call yours a parts gun, someone gathered up parts until they had enough to produce the gun you own. I am bent somewhat the same way eg. I picked up a 21H receiver with the intergral scope mount rings with the DST bottom metal - everything but the bolt, purchased a bolt body, puchased a 9.3x57 Krupp barrel and a 21H stock -- almost ready to assemble. The chase for the parts is part of the game especially if you have guns aplenty. FWIW --- John303.
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- Steel Town and The Peg
John & JB; I really appreciate the time you took to confirm the stamps and features of your small-ring FN actions. I am now fairly comfortable in assuming that I have an early FN commercial small-ring action. Of course, I still look forward to continued conversation from other members on this forum who own Mausers and wish to contribute to this thread.
It seems that there are at least four common and distinguishing features on the bottom of FN commercial Mauser actions:
1. A small step just behind the recoil lug
2. A number or a capital letter inside a square (proof)
3. Most seem to have two or more hardness testing "dimples"
4. A serial number
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- Steel Town and The Peg
BTW, I found this from wiki.com:
"Fabrique Nationale de Herstal made one of the finest M98 series, early production being Small Ring, later being Large Ring of "C" (early) and "H" (late) design. The FN actions were used by others, i.e. Sako of Finland as their Hi-Power Rifles, Browning on the early Medallions, Husqvarna Small Ring model 146 and Large Ring late model 640, and Kodiak Arms, Connecticut, USA reconditioned milsurp FN Mauser actions to build fine grade commercial hunting rifles. Many other renowned arm manufacturers used the quality FN action."
"Fabrique Nationale de Herstal made one of the finest M98 series, early production being Small Ring, later being Large Ring of "C" (early) and "H" (late) design. The FN actions were used by others, i.e. Sako of Finland as their Hi-Power Rifles, Browning on the early Medallions, Husqvarna Small Ring model 146 and Large Ring late model 640, and Kodiak Arms, Connecticut, USA reconditioned milsurp FN Mauser actions to build fine grade commercial hunting rifles. Many other renowned arm manufacturers used the quality FN action."
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- Steel Town and The Peg
Have a look at the receiver ring and see how it meets the recoil lug... you can clearly see that it has not been turned down. Also, how can one cleanly turn down a LR receiver without removing the recoil lug and welding on a new one? It just doesn't seem possible to do it cleanly.
From your pic. I don't think there has been any alteration to your action. Although not a common practise it's been done for what ever reason, looks, increase value etc. etc. The DSTs, are they installed directly into the bottom metal / a DST unit installed separately? Just curious --- John303.
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- Steel Town and The Peg
If by DST you mean "Double Set Trigger" then no, there is only a standard single trigger installed, with another FN proof I might add: a 9 or 6 in a square.
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Just as an FYI, the trigger pull is really smooth. I think it was worked and adjusted.
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- Steel Town and The Peg
Nabs; The patina difference is to be expected. Its definitely Brazilian (DWM) but it may be off a 1935 model. I can't be certain. Funny, the rifle has a deep consistent bluing, but when you photograph parts up close with a flash, the subtle differences become exposed.
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- Steel Town and The Peg
BTW, I'm thinking of buying a new gun safe just so I can start collecting custom sporters!!
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- Steel Town and The Peg
I got my eye on another beauty as we speak! Its clear I got a disease, now how do I slip this one past the wife? 
For the life of me, I can't understand why anybody would want to spend double on a low quality piece of mass produced new junk, when you can get a well made and uber interesting Mauser sporter for half the price?
For the life of me, I can't understand why anybody would want to spend double on a low quality piece of mass produced new junk, when you can get a well made and uber interesting Mauser sporter for half the price?
Uh oh. Beware! Soon you will find yourself low on room, bunching the babies up in a smaller safe and hearing them scream for attention when you are overwhelmed with demand
.I got my eye on another beauty as we speak! Its clear I got a disease, now how do I slip this one past the wife?
Simple, intercept the postman on the day of arrival and sneak the package quickly and quietly into your garage or "Man cave" and just say "Cleaning out the boxes, honey!".
I think you hit the nail on the head why many of us collect the rifles we do. I personally avoid those newly made "things" as they have no history and are over priced. Why pay $2000 when I can make a $200 120 year old rifle sing just as well ?
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- Steel Town and The Peg
Hey Nabs; Did you sell your Brazilian? If not, why not post a photo of the barrel's serial number. Also, would you mind looking at the underside of your action, and post a photo of that. While I'm about 95% certain I have a small ring FN action, I want to rule out DWM.
My Brazilian is a large ring mauser 98 style export model so I am certain your receiver is not one of these. She also has a cut out on the left receiver wall.
I still find it strange that someone would use a Brazilian contract 7x57mm barrel, perhaps this was a custom sporter by a very competent gun smith or a private individual with some damn good talent (and taste!) ?
Here are some file pictures I have:
Left side of receiver and barrel:
Underside of receiver and barrel:
Underside of rear sight base area:
Underside of barrel near upper step:
I still find it strange that someone would use a Brazilian contract 7x57mm barrel, perhaps this was a custom sporter by a very competent gun smith or a private individual with some damn good talent (and taste!) ?
Here are some file pictures I have:
Left side of receiver and barrel:
Underside of receiver and barrel:
Underside of rear sight base area:
Underside of barrel near upper step:
