Mauser Sporter (professionally converted) or an all-original, what would you choose?

[The Kurgan]

(I posted my FN1930 in EE, and I got several e-mails from forum vets telling me that I was f**king crazy, so I'm keeping it)

However, I am curious to know what you would prefer if you had 1 choice?

Lightweight Sporter (done professionally and well) or an all-original, unmodified ??

 

[Nabs]

My choice is the original military one.

 

[zuke]

If you already own them, and your not tight for cash keep them both.

 

[9.3mauser]

The one on the right looks like a factory Brno, not a conversion. Very collectable in it's own right. I've always preferred classic sporting rifles that I can take out and use to milsurps that just sit around and look heavy.

 

[Andy]

This is an easy choice - both are nice, but the original is worth more. I have plenty of sporters already, and I can buy a commercial hunting rifle that will probably outshoot the sporter for $400.

 

[camster]

Here in the 'surp forum?
All original. Anything less is blasphemous, and does nothing to honour their place in history. Every time a 'surp is altered, a tear moistens Paul Mauser's cheek. We are just curators of historic treasure, and not truly owners.

Had you posted in "hunting"?
...I'll take a butterknife bolt, beautifully figured claro, and a smidge of tasteful engraving please.

 

[jbmauser]

They are both just fantastic rifles!

Keep them both! Unfortunately like Andy said, you won't get that much out of the sporter even though it's extremely well done and about 10X the quality of many new hunting rifles being sold these days.

If you really have to sell one then I would keep the FN 1930. It's probably they nicest one I've seen in Canada. You were asking too little for it.

 

[okcorral1881]

camster beat me to it................ask the same question in the hunting subforum and you'll get different answers!

 

[The Kurgan]

Not only am I keeping it, I'm taking my son to the range today to shoot a few rounds through her.

I sold enough "excess" now to warrant keeping a few impractical toys to handle and cherish.

They are both just fantastic rifles!

Keep them both! Unfortunately like Andy said, you won't get that much out of the sporter even though it's extremely well done and about 10X the quality of many new hunting rifles being sold these days.

If you really have to sell one then I would keep the FN 1930. It's probably they nicest one I've seen in Canada. You were asking too little for it.

 

[The Kurgan]

The one on the right looks like a factory Brno, not a conversion. Very collectable in it's own right. I've always preferred classic sporting rifles that I can take out and use to milsurps that just sit around and look heavy.

Actually its a Richard Gibbs/Denis Sorensen creation. The wood and all metal bits were sourced from a shot-out Brno model 21. Richard masterfully recheckered and refinished the stock that was beautifully inletted to fit the SR Mauser 98 action, and glass bedded. Richard also scrubbed and high polished the action and barrel. The action is a rare small-ring FN commerical 98. The barrel is NOS Mauser military (spare Brazilian barrel cut down to short rifle length). The bolt is sourced from a Brazilian Mauser. Denis did the barrel installation, head-spacing, and re-worked the military Mauser trigger, and did all the bluing work. It all comes together in a beautiful, light, easy-pointing package. Both gents are now retired, so unfortunately, the world will not see any more of their magical creations. So originality value = zero. Custom rifle value = priceless to me. This rifle will be passed down to my son.