WTK: Commercial Mauser Magnum Action, a little OT

[Curt]

Sorry I know it is not milsurp,but I trust the opinion of the crowd here.Years ago I worked in a gun store and a guy was trying to trade this rifle on a Browning A5, the owner didn't want it and I eventually agreed to take it as a couple weeks pay so the guy could get his shotgun and it was pretty. So it has been in the back of my safe for years.I collect ww2 rifles, and shoot NRA highpower, I am not a hunter so it sits.
I would guess it is from the sixties.The action is marked FN Herstal Belgium Action. It is in 300 Win Mag. marked on the shoulder of the barrel, it has a Laminate stock with Rose wood tip.that is beautiful but is dated I have seen them before on vintage custom rifles I think they were popular.It has a nice trigger in it and Weaver 9 power steel scope of the same era. The gun is pretty much mint except for a little bluing wear on the muzzle face.
I assume this is Commercial long magnum action. Is it adaptable to build a 300 Win.Mag or 338 Lapua tactical rifle I would actually use?
Should I just sell it instead of tearing it up and buy what I want? Is this a $300 sporter or more of a $1000 dollar piece? Any guidance appreciated.

[Bill H]

It is hard to say with just the informationn you supplied.

The .300 Win mag can be made to fit into a standard length action, so do not assume it is a magnum action.

Depending on the quality of the work and an eager buyer, it may be more than a $300 gun, but unless it can be attributed to some maker with a name and reputation, it is not likely a real expensive gun.

Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to sell any run of the mill custom gun for anything like the original cost to make it.

If you can find a copy of Ludwig Olsen's book on bolt action mausers, you may find enough information to identify the action.

FN in Belgium made many actions both before, during, and after WWII.

[Curt]

Good point I forgot a magnum size action is not required for the 300 Win. I just assumed that anyone who wanted a non magnum action would have built it out a a mauser military rifle.. There is no builders info on it anywhere, judging by the info on the receiver it was a commercial made action and sold as a action.It was definetly not a military action rebuilt as a sporter. I would guess in the sixties or seventies.I will try to get a picture up.

[Long Island]

I have a 1968 Firearms International catalog that shows they imported the FN Supreme and the lower priced model Musketeer in 300 WM. Also barreled actions were available from FI in your caliber. I also remember seeing companies like Flaig's of Pa and Paul Jager selling FN actions and b/a in that caliber. I didn't think laminated stocks were too popular in the 60's except with the benchrest crowd. Sounds like a well made sporter tipical of that time frame. Don't think its a commercial magnum action but there is a Brevex Magnum Commercial Mauser action that is very similar to the FN. Jon Speed has a great book on Commercial Mauser Sporting Rifles that would help in pinning down your model.
Bob

[Curt]

I'll get some pics up.

[Curt]

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii57/wfo87/DSC05398.jpg
Here is the receiver logo.

[Curt]

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii57/wfo87/DSC05399.jpg

[Bill H]

That is the same logo on the J.C. Higgins (sears roebuck) rifle I bought recently.

Sears apparently had some complete rifles made by FN, and also imported actions and had the rifles built in the US. I believe Montgomery Ward, the other big mail order company did the same. Doubtless many other firms did the same.

I bought the rifle to get the action, had a .257 Ackley built on it.

These actions are indeed commercial Mausers, but not the same quality as the Mauserwerke actions so famous during the years between WWI and WWI. Only difference in mine was the trigger, which was changed to get rid of the two stage pull. Fortunately a standard Timney fits without modification.

Most likely you have a nice shooter, but not collectible rifle.

[Curt]

Thanks guys, all my planning and schemeing to rebuild or sell were ended when my other half seen it out today. That is the only pretty gun you have your not selling it are you? You better not. Yes dear.

[Curt]

I did not realize how much variation there was with these FN guns, I am going back to the carbine board now thanks.

[Art]

Just my thoughts: It is a very nice vintage hunting rifle that would still be a very nice hunting rifle today for just about anything in North America. It is not "collectable" in the usual sense however.

If you dispose of it I think, along with everyone else, apparently, that it should be viewed in that light.

[Calif-Steve]

Looks like a typical 1960 sporter rifle. Someone a fair amount of money into it. It does look like a very nice western hunter. Long shots at deer, elk. I would not put anymore money into it, just use it as is. Good luck.

[jon_norstog]

Curt,

Listen to your wife! that is a **nice** rifle. Somebody set it up for long shots on elk in open country or cross canyons. It's not meant for carrying, except in a scabbard on your horse. Any signs of use? Maybe someone dreamed about a guided western elk hunt and never made it. If you were looking for that rifle on the used market you would probably have to pay an easy $1,000.

One thing you could do is break it down and look for a gunsmith's or stockmaker's stamp hidden away. If it was made up by someone well-known, it may have some collector value.

The reason the rifle came into your hands is, someone is telling you "Take up hunting!"

good luck

jn

[jon_norstog]

P.S.

At least the rifle has QD swivel attachments. You can sling it if you don't have a horse, although a full-grown mauser with a big scope is a bit of a load going over rough ground.

Another good use for this rifle would be working from a spot where you have a 500-yard view over good elk country.

jn