Need help with M98 ID...NOW WITH PICS

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I need some help with an M98 action I have. It is a commercial action and I've been told it is a Husqvarna, but is is a large ring, so if it is a Husky, it is not the "improved" version. It has the safety on the bolt shroud, but it arcs only about 60 degrees. The floorplate/triggerguard assembly is painted aluminum. The only markings are the serial number on the left side of the reciever: Z-34###

Any ideas?
 
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Try this site

http://www.pettsons.net/hvastory.html

It appears that the Husqvarna 98's were built on FN actions.

The first repeating centrefire rifle, the model 46 , was introduced in 1927, built on the m/94 Swedish Mauser action. Available calibers were 9,3x57, 9,3x62 and 6,5x55. There were also a couple of offspring's, built on the m/98 action.

These would later evolve into the 640 range, introduced in 1944. The m/98 action used was made by FN. Late ones were fitted with an improved safety, and blot handle with a smoother, swept back bend which didn't interfere as much with a possible scope mount. Calibers were 220 Swift, 270 Win, 6,5x55, 30-06, 8x57JS and 9,3x62. Unfortunately (in my opinion at least) the 9,3x57 was not included. Bad mistake.
Production of this line seized in 1957.
Click to expand...

Here's a picture of a 640

HVA_1.jpg
 
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Thanks, I was thinking it was an FN, but there are no markings. I would have thought FN would at leats put a small mark on it. The bolt handle is swept back, but only very slightly. There are some numbers on the bottom of the reciever. "7" right in front of the magazine box, roughly centered, "5" a little further to the front of the reciever, and "16" on the recoil lug. It has a Weaver base on the front that doesn't want to come off easily. I put some penetrating fluid on it. Maybe there will be a small mark under it.
 
Husqvarna's usually have the serial # on the barrel, not the receiver, and I believe the FN actions always had steel floorplates? There is a fellow on 24 hr (SBHVA) who really knows his stuff.
I also don't believe they used an alpha prefix on their FN actioned rifles.
Short story is it may be an FN, but I don't think it's a Husqvarna.
Pat
 
Well, I looked at a bunch of Husqvarna pics and it appears that this is not a Husqvarna.

One more thing to add, it has a non-adjustable trigger. Does the serial number style ring a bell for anyone?
 
Salty said:
Doesn't sound like a Husqy, but if you get that front base off you can confirm by the presence of the Husqvarna crest. Or not...

What calibre??
Click to expand...

No marks under the front base. It is a bare action, but it has a standard size bolt face and the magazine can hold a full length 30-06 cartridge. There is no thumb cut-out, hence my belief that it is a commercial action. What about the Sears-Roebuck Mausers, does anyone know if they had markings on the reciever?
 
Hinged floorplate, or military style?
Any markings on the safety, or trigger? I'm wondering if it's an early Parker Hale or BSA action. Couple of pics might help.
 
No markings on trigger, safety or floorplate. It is a hinged floorplate, but I can't be sure it is original. I'll get some pictures going. I thought it may have been a BSA, but IIRC they had side mounted safeties, didn't they?
 
You may have a Centurion Mauser or an early Santa Barbara Mauser. The book, 'Bolt Action Rifles' by Frank de Haas mentions that the Centurion action came with an aluminum trigger-guard. He also writes that the Centurion had no markings other than a serial # that started with a letter, the word 'Spain' is stamped on the side of the rear tang and the trigger was a non-adjustable type similar to the military type but with only one hump as opposed to two.

Centurion went out of business in the late 60's and de Haas seems to think there was a link between Centurion and Santa Barbara in that the actions were virtually identical. One difference was that the serial number on the Santa Barbara actions started with a 'Z'.

Apparently the Santa Barbara actions came with either an aluminum or steel trigger-guard.
 
Safety looks aftermarket, and the bolt handle looks "modified" (possibly even a military bolt with bent handle).
Not sure about the receiver though, but definitely a "commercial" action.
 
It's a Santa Barbara. They are stamped with a serial beginning with a Z.

Source: Bolt Action Rifles, Frank de Haas, revised edition, 1985, page 182

Cheers

Martin

I can scan you the whole text if you like
 
Martin said:
It's a Santa Barbara. They are stamped with a serial beginning with a Z.

Source: Bolt Action Rifles, Frank de Haas, revised edition, 1985, page 182

Cheers

Martin

I can scan you the whole text if you like
Click to expand...


Yes it is. I've got a 270 with the same markings (W-####), and only 270 W stamped on the barrel, no other markings anywhere. Santa Barbara and the La Caruna arsenal are 2 names I've heard together about this rifle.
 
Thanks everyone, and Mauser 98 for the scans and Martin for the offer. Any quirks I should know about before spending $ on making something out of this one?

according to p.182 of the book Martin notes, the Santa Barbara had a streamlined bolt shroud and a side safety. I wonder if this action is a Santa Barbara action with the Centurian bolt shroud/safety and trigger. Maybe a crossover or something.
 
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