For you Mauser owners/experts, I need some ID help...

The Kurgan

The Kurgan

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Let me know if you recognize any of the proofs/marks on the bottom of this Mauser action, as I am trying to determine origin of this small ring action. I don't have alot to go on, as the rest of the action is scrubbed, OR, had minimal marks/proofs to begin with. The barrel is not original, so won't be of any help. The bolt is a standard 98 bolt, but not original to the rifle either. Many thanks in advance.

Many more photos here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25437334@N02/sets/72157627286088267/

6081299534_e4507c0c97_b.jpg
 
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K; Could you post more pics. of the whole action & trigger guard both sides. If it should be a small ring, large thread it may be a 98a? mfg in the Spandau arsenal for one. I'm sure more knowledgeable members will respond. FWIW --- John303.
 
That is one nice looking sporter that I would be proud to carry on my shoulder during the hunt.

It is tough to place the action as any military markings look to have been sanitized. Was this a Brno built sporter ? If so, they may have just used a blank receiver for the production.
 
I think it could be a Belgian FN action that has had the front ring turned down. I have similar markings on the bottom of several FN actions that I own. You can see two small dimples that I believe are hardness test marks. These are also present on the FN actions in a very similar location. The bolt handle notch in the receiver is also very FN in appearance.

Very nice rifle by the way!
 
You have a terrible problem on your hands - you can't leave perfectoon alone. It is not a military action, because as the caption on one pic says, there is no evidence of a thumb notch or filler. So, was it made by Brno or FN? Is it really THAT important to know where it comes from, or is appreciating fine craftsmanship not enough for you?

You may have something when you wonder about the bridge profile. If you could look at the definitive Mauser books, you might have an answer. My book by Ball is only military models. Sorry.
 
Does it have the full c-ring inner collar? Husqvarna used the FN actions and applied the Husqvarna symbol and "SWEDEN" markings to the receiver. Maybe this is where the previous owner gets the "Swedish action" from?
 
Look from your many more photos.......Brazilian Mauser it says. But is it pre 1954 or 1954? Still has the crest on it. B circle is common mark on these. 7mm should be small ring. You can measure, under 1 inch dia small ring, over 1 inch large ring. Been a while since I owed one, mine was 30.06 probably large ring.
Others here will tell you more.......That's a nice custom job too.
 
jbmauser said:
Does it have the full c-ring inner collar? Husqvarna used the FN actions and applied the Husqvarna symbol and "SWEDEN" markings to the receiver. Maybe this is where the previous owner gets the "Swedish action" from?
Click to expand...

[edit: YES, it does have the c-ring inner collar.]

I compared my Venezuelan 98 bolt to this rifle's bolt... and they are identical in every way. No question that this rifle has a 98 action.

No crest on the top of the receiver. Its blank
 
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And just as an FYI, the barrel is off a 1908/35 Brazilian Mauser. The original barrel serial number confirms this. Greek symbol Beta, correct serial range, followed by an encircled B. It also has a "Bb" below the original serial number. This "Bb" is also on the bolt.
So I at least know of two Oberndorf made parts. :)
 
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Nabs said:
That is one nice looking sporter that I would be proud to carry on my shoulder during the hunt.

It is tough to place the action as any military markings look to have been sanitized. Was this a Brno built sporter ? If so, they may have just used a blank receiver for the production.
Click to expand...

Thanks Nabs. I can't tell you how pleased I am with this rifle. I can't stop pulling it from my gun rack and handling it. It was clearly made by a true craftsman. It is light, points well, is solid, and just feels quality... hard to explain. :)

I can only confirm that the stock, trigger guard, floor plate, action screws, and probably the barrel hardware are Brno model 21. As noted above, the barrel is a 7x57 Brazilian, as confirmed by the unique serial number and greek characters, and by the encircled B stamp. The wierd thing is that the bore looks new! I don't think this barrel has seen much, if any, action.

All I am really left with is the origin of the action, and I'm not sure about the front sight.

The action was either scrubbed or never came with many markings. I closely examined the receiver ring, and it is as smooth as a baby's bottom and perfectly rounded, with no sign that it was actually ground and scrubbed. In fact, I am starting to lean towards a custom blank made by FN. But I can't be certain.

Any help you guys can provide is appreciated, but I won't loose any sleep over not knowing its origin.
 
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One last thing... I originally thought it was Husqvarna, because its registered as "Husqvarna lightweight sporter", but we all know how "accurate" the LGR is!

Another thing, the serial number on the action, and the force-matched serial number on the barrel, and the serial number on the bolt handle all match, and coincidentally (?) conform to the Husqvarna serial number system, placing its year of manufacture at 1948! Which is coincidentally the year FN starting rolling out commercial actions minus the thumb cut!

Special FN production small ring 98 made for Husqvarna?
FN production small ring 98 blank made for custom builds?

The mystery continues!
 
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maple_leaf_eh said:
You have a terrible problem on your hands - you can't leave perfectoon alone. It is not a military action, because as the caption on one pic says, there is no evidence of a thumb notch or filler. So, was it made by Brno or FN? Is it really THAT important to know where it comes from, or is appreciating fine craftsmanship not enough for you?

You may have something when you wonder about the bridge profile. If you could look at the definitive Mauser books, you might have an answer. My book by Ball is only military models. Sorry.
Click to expand...

Guys, this I can say for certain, it is not military. I spent an hour examining the area where a thumb cut could have been. There is absolutely no evidence that this area was welded and smoothened. If you look at the photos, and click the zoom button and go to the highest resolution setting, you will see a few photos of the inside wall of the left receiver rail -- seamless, smooth. Of course a real pro could have welded it, but I doubt it.

I have a need to know -- sue me ;)
 
She has a 98 style bolt so it wouldn't be a Swedish M94, M96, M96/38 or M38 action.

I know what you mean about the quality, I have some rifles in my safe that I can't stop pulling out as they were made with a lot of care and by hand, something that newly made firearms today cannot match.
 
Thanks. Based on feedback from two Mauser experts, including CGN'er Baribal, and feedback in two Forum threads, I can safely rule-out any Husqvarna parts-lineage!

Personally, I am now strongly learning towards three scenarios regarding the action, in the following order of likelihood:

1. An early commercial FN small ring M98 action blank designed for use in custom gun builds.

2. An early commercial FN large ring M98 action that was turned down and expertly polished and finished to small ring dimensions.

3. It could also be an early DWM (eg. Brazilian contract, Turk) or FN small ring military action with the thumb cut expertly welded, ground down, polished and finished. All indentifying marks/proofs on the ring removed and expertly smoothened and polished. I place this scenario as a distant third, but it is possible.

Anybody want to chime in on that?

HERE'S THE LINK AGAIN TO ALL THE MAUSER PHOTOS:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25437334@N02/sets/72157627286088267/
 
jbmauser said:
I think it could be a Belgian FN action that has had the front ring turned down. I have similar markings on the bottom of several FN actions that I own. You can see two small dimples that I believe are hardness test marks. These are also present on the FN actions in a very similar location. The bolt handle notch in the receiver is also very FN in appearance.

Very nice rifle by the way!
Click to expand...

This is what I am looking for. Could you kindly post a photo or two of these actions?
 
Here are some pics of the 4 FN actions I have. You can see the similarity in machining(they all have a small step just behind the recoil lug) and they all have a number or letter in a square. Two of them have the number 2 in a square, one has an A and the other has the number 9. Also note the hardness testing dimples. One action has a ton of them, guess the guy testing wanted to check and double check.:D
HPIM4965.jpg

HPIM4964.jpg

HPIM4963.jpg

HPIM4959.jpg
 
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Just my 2cents worth but it could be a 21H, it was made in both round receivers and integral mount receivers. The shroud has been changed to a military style as some did not like the safety on a 21 since it was on the left side. FN also made a small ring mauser in the FN Supreme series, these are rather scarce but I am fortunate to own one, the ejector / bolt realese, trigger and safety are different also. I would lean towards the Brno given that the stock, DSTs, bottom metal, trigger guard all point in that direction. --- John303.
 
John; the photos jbmauser posted are pretty convincing. Perhaps somebody can post a photo of an early 21H bottom action? I would love to see photos of your FN Supreme, especially the action.
 
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