Mauser ID needed.

[H4831]

OK, now I need help identifying a (2) rifles. Viewed them at a persons house and have no pictures.
Two rifles, almost identical, military 98 Mausers with the wood cut down and the barrels shortened. The barrels had two step downs, reducing barrel OD. Butt stock had the sling cut. The family had both rifles for 25 or 30 years. They had been shooting them, with 7x57 ammo. But there were NO markings on the rifles, only a small SN, I think preceded with a V. I didn't remove the stock, to see what was under, but not even visible proof marks.
The action was a very nice, model 98.
Does anybody have any thoughts on them?

 

[bearhunter]

Sounds like the old Mexican small ring mausers but they had crests on their receivers. There were other small ring mauses made as well but without pics it would be impossible to tell.

 

[H4831]

Large ring Mauser. The step down barrel looked very similar to the FN made Browning sporters.

 

[bearhunter]

Bruce, I had a couple of Serbian Mausers that were defunct of markings. Are the actions standard length or the "short" version?

 

[H4831]

Jerry, it looked standard, long Mauser action to me. It would have to be, to take 7x57. One is for sale. They are just in Enderby, if you were interested in seeing them, I could make arrangements. Thre is a large so-so brand scope on the one for sale and he said it sure shot well. He is not a novice and to look at it, with that stiff, stepped down barrel, it had accuracy written all over it.

 

[bearhunter]

The Serbian Mausers were in 7x57 and 8x57. Both the rifles I had were in 7x57. I'm sure they were short, 1/8th in. I could easily be wrong. They were both very accurate. One had the 29 in barrel as well. Both had not identifying marks at all. They were also unique in that the barrels were the only place that carried the full serial number. Nothing on the receiver at all and only the last 2 numbers on all the rest of the metal parts.
Thanks for the heads up but I'm only interested in restorable Mausers at this point.

 

[Nabs]

Mausers I have seen in 7x57mm Mauser would be South American contract ones. Unless the receiver has been scrubbed, you will usually find the country's crest stamped here along with the "DWM" or Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken stamped on the left receiver wall. Any of this sound like anything found on the two rifles ?