Parker Hale set up a variety of Mauser type sporting rifles. Early ones used reworked military actions. There were at least three versions of commercial Mauser sporting actions used. The first version was the best. It was pretty much a copy of an FN commercial, and had the "C" style inner collar, which gives best enclosure of the bolthead and cartridge case. Next version had the simplified inner collar with the left hand lugway broached right through for manufacturing convenience. Last version had no inner collar, no safety interlock at the front of the firing pin. Features designed into the Mauser 98 which contribute directly to safety were eliminated in exchange for manufacturing convenience. The traditional Mauser boltstop/ejector box disappeared, being replaced by the inferior unit from the PH Midland economy rifle. Barrel thread uniformity is inconsistant. Bolt handle countours varied; some don't allow really low scope mounting.
The less said about the PH detachable magazine system, the better. The front sight ramp mounting system contributes to bulged/cracked muzzles. The little tab on the safety that blocks the sear tends to break off.
Generally, if you look at the left side of the receiver tang, you can see where the "Made in Spain" stamp was ground out.
The actions are Spanish. I do not know the origin of the barrels. They tend to be hard, and if they fail, they tend to fracture with pieces being detached. The stocks were made by Sile in Italy. Basically PH was running an assembly operation using outsourced parts.
Finish is generally excellent. The rifles are shiney. They tend to shoot well.
I wouldn't worry about which model or variation a particualr rifle is. Differences are primarily in stock style and finish, and have little to do with quality.
