Reliable Source to Identify Parker Hale mausers?

[Potashminer]

So, I have come across a couple of Mauser actioned Parker Hale Rifles. One is stamped "Safari De Luxe" on the left receiver rail, with the Q X B BNP code indicating 1965 proof, with "in-the-white" bolt and bolt shroud. Another has no markings on the side rail, with T X B BNP code indicating 1968 proof, with blued bolt handle, bolt shroud and cocking piece. Both have aluminum hinged floor plates, no engraving, and are chambered in 308 Norma Magnum - although differing barrel lengths.

I've tried researching Parker Hale rifles on the Internet and find a LOT of contradictory information. Both of these rifles have the "grind" / "scratch" marks on the left side (solid side - no military thumb cutout) of the receiver tang, where the word "SPAIN" was more or less removed - to my mind these are the Santa Barbara commercial mauser 98 actions.

Does anyone know of a reliable source for information about the various models of Parker Hale mausers? Which models made in which years, how to identify a particular model when there are no model numbers on the receiver, etc. Any leads greatly appreciated. I have become totally befuddled with the naming - 1000, 1100, 1200, Safari, Safari De Luxe, Super Safari, Super Safari Magnum, and so on... and many made available with either a detachable magazine or a hinged floor plate at the same time!! I am to the point that I'm thinking that just the stock differentiates some of these models?

 

[Eagleye]

There was a very knowledgeable member on here [Baribal] who could
identify practically any Mauser action, but I have not seen a post from
him in a while.

OTOH, most of the Parker-Hale rifles chambered in 308 Norma Magnum,
with the exception of a few very early ones, were built on the Santa
Barbara action. I have 2 later ones, both are Model 81 "Classics", and they
are the Santa Barbara actions, with 24" barrels. Both are very good shooters,
and I much prefer the Classic stock to the fancy Monte Carlo on the
Safari series. D.

 

[Potashminer]

Thank you, Eagleye - I agree regarding Baribal - he has unbelievable depth of knowledge, especially on the Husqvarna series - he has a sticky on this forum, which is why I asked my question here. So, your comment - now there is a Model 81 out there, and a "Classic" to boot! My latest is indeed a 24" barrel 308 Norma Magnum, with the "California" style stock - high gloss, skip line chequering, rosewood fore-end tip and pistol grip, with a diamond-ish shape inlet into the bottom of that pistol grip. Roll over cheekpiece, and what would be called a "Wundhammer swell" on the pistol grip . PH recoil pad still a bit "squishy" - not totally hardened up yet. All in pieces soaking in clean up oils, so no pictures today. But I did find the SILE stamp in the barrel channel.

 

[tiriaq]

The Sile stocks used by PH to assemble the rifles did come in a variety of styles.
I have observed four different patterns of Mauser type actions used by PH:
Reworked military type, with charger loading thumb cut and wing safety.
FN style sporting action, C cut internal collar
FN style sporting action, internal collar cut on both left and right sides.
Sporting action without any internal collar, simplified bolt stop/ejector unit as used on Midland 2100 series.
Having rebarrelled quite a number of PH rifles, the variation in barrel threads is noteworthy.
I have also noticed that the barrels used tended to be on the hard side. In the event of a failure resulting from being fired with an obstruction, the barrels have a tendency to fracture, rather than simply bulge. Most dramatic was a .30-06 fired with snow in the muzzle which broke into 7 pieces.
One PH rifle that really impressed me was a plain jane .375. First type sporting action, wing safety, floorplate catch altered so that the trigger finger would not get bumped. Plain, sturdy working rifle.
Anther that I found interesting was one made on a military style action in .222. Altering a 98 Mauser to .222 is a bit of a challenge. This conversion was well done and serviceable.

 

[Potashminer]

The 24" barrel 308 Norma Mag has the "C" cut internal collar - with the word "SPAIN" more or less scratched out on the left side of the receiver tang. Clearly, not an FN action. The 22" Safari De Luxe is the same - "C" cut, the word "SPAIN" ground away - also clearly not FN. But then, you clearly wrote "FN style sporting action" - which I interpret to mean no "charger" loading slot or hump. Thanks for the additional clues and your experience with them. Both of these rifles have the Parker Hale 98/148 adjustable triggers with the bolt locking extension on their side safeties (and the corresponding slit in the receiver body and recess in the bolt body).

 

[9.3mauser]

This is hardly definitive, since there were several models before this was published, and likely some afterwards;

 

[jbmauser]

I can attest to the "shattering" of PH barrels. I have seen several over the years. The Santa Barbara actions though seem to be plenty strong. The best example I can remember was a guy that loaded a round with cornmeal over powder then compressed the whole deal when seating the bullet. I have no idea what he was trying to accomplish but he succeeded in blowing off the extractor and seizing up the action. The barrel held on that one and had to be screwed off to get everything to open up. The lugs on the receiver and bolt looked fine.