FN Commercial Mauser or Browning?

[pacobillie]

I have this hunting rifle. The former owner had it registered as a Browning, but the name Browning does not appear anywhere on it.

Here is the info:

It is a commercial Mauser 98 type action.
There is an FN crest engraved on top of the receiver's front ring.
It has a side safety, just like a Browning High Power Safari, not the wing safety typical of FN rifles.
It is chambered in 300 H&H Magnum. According to the litterature that I have read, no FN 98s were chambered in that caliber, but Brownings were.
Barrel is 24 inches long.
On the barrel it says cal. 300 M., Made in Belgium.
The barrel's serial number matches the receiver's number, but without the letter prefix.
It has Belgian proof marks.
The receiver says: Fab. Nat. d'armes de guerre, Herstal, Belgique

Serial number starts with a B plus four digits. The same four digits are stamped on the barrel.
Stock is plain light colored walnut, not the fancy walnut found on Browning safaris.


So, what do I have and when was it made?

 

[jimmyjazz]

That sounds like a Commercial FN Supreme Mauser and not Browning.
Great rifles but don't get the prices that the old Browning's get.

JJ

 

[Dark Alley Dan]

It sounds wonderful, and in one of the great elegant old chamberings.

Any chance of pics?

 

[longbranch*]

I prefer the FN version. I had one in .300H+H that appeared factory rechambered from .30-06. Stock was sun bleached from years in Africa. Was accurate though had excess headspace. Browning took the design in about 1959 and beefed up the stock a bit.

 

[Evanguy]

Mauser for sure, and 300 H&H is awesome. I have a commercial mauser action with the side action aswell no wing on the bolt.

 

[cam1936]

I thought all the FN rifles had the wing safety? Converted perhaps?

Sounds like a fantastic rifle, top shelf action.

 

[9.3mauser]

Post some good pics and someone will tell you exactly what you have within a few minutes.

 

[hart]

Correct me if I am wrong. Browning rifles did not come with the M98 bolt stop, ejector, but had a less expensive to manufacture riveted on spring in its place. All the FN Mausers came with the standard M98 bolt stops.