Trying to identify. Not much to go on.

I recently picked this up on Gun Broker as a Mauser 93 with a non- Mauser 308 sport barrel and stock. See photos 1 and 9

I started breaking it down and as I did I started to be curious as to what this receiver really is. I've researched various Mauser websites, but nothing seems to match my receiver. Another issue that helps complicate it is I bought it without a bolt.

I have a 93 or 95 bolt with flat face and it closes in the receiver ( it's in photo 1 & 9). My round Turk 98 bolt doesn't. The bolt in photo 1 didn't come with rifle. There is a flat land in bottom of receiver thus indicating it needs a flat bolt.

Photo 2 shows stripped receiver. Overall length is 8 3/8 inches. It's barrel diameter matches small ring dimensions, but the OD of the receiver barrel ring is only 1 3/8 inches. my small ring Turk Mauser OD barrel ring is 1 7/16 inches. There are no markings of any kind on the top front of the receiver, but it's very smooth. If it's been cut down it was done very well. One other note. The very front of my Turk has a 1/4 inch lip around barrel hole face. This "93" doesn't

Photo 3 shows Serial number U8261

Photo 4 shows a symbol X (cross) in a circle. It's about a half inch from from of receiver. Next to it is the oval gas port.

Photo 5 shows the same symbol just behind the recoil lug and the number "3"

Photo 6 is the letter "N" followed by a small zero at back of receiver on bottom left side next to front of trigger assembly.

Photo 7 shows the lands and groves inside the receiver plus absence of thumb notch in side.

Photo 8 shows where it has had metal removed. My Turk has frame metal there, but I also understand that the 95's had a notch cut into them there. It makes me curious why this was done. Possibly to accommodate a hand bent bolt?

Photo 9 shows the barrel that was installed on the rifle. Supposed to be 308, but has no markings and doesn't appear to be a Mauser style barrel. I've been trying to identify it but am having trouble with it as well.

I own 4 other Mausers and had no trouble with them. This one doesn't give me much to go on.

My main concern is if this action is buildable and I'd like to know what it is. I know Mausers have a strong quality reputation, but if this has been cut down it could be dangerous.

Can anyone verify what this is?
Your help is appreciated.

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Originally Posted by komputatek

Photo 4 shows a symbol X (cross) in a circle. It's about a half inch from from of receiver. Next to it is the oval gas port.

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The Maltese cross in circle is found on Spanish Mausers. It's probably a Spanish Model 1893 converted to 7,62 x 51 Nato / .308 Winchester.

The oval gas escape port suggests it's a Spanish Model 1916 short rifle or carbine action. Many 1916's were later re-barreled for the 7.62 Cetme round and used by the Spanish Civil Guard, another variant was the FR-7 trainer. Both were very common in the U.S. 20 or so years ago and the dealers advertised them as being chambered for the commercial .308 Winchester round which is incorrect, actually it's chambered for the 7.62 Cetme round used in the Cetme Modelo B(M58) assult rifle. The 7.62 Cetme and 308/7.62 Nato have identical case dimensions but differ greatly in working pressures. IIRC, the Cetme round operates at about 45,000 psi where the 308/7.62 Nato is around 58,00-60,000 psi. It's not wise to fire full power 308 or 7.62 NATO ammunition in converted 1916 rifles. Down load to 7x57mm pressure levels and you'll be ok.

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Originally Posted by vintage hunter

The oval gas escape port suggests it's a Spanish Model 1916 short rifle or carbine action.

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Yes, that was my first guess. But it doesn't have a cutout on the left side rail like the Model 1916 so I think it's probably a Model 1893 receiver.

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Originally Posted by UNPROFOR1994

doesn't have a cutout on the left side rail

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Ha, I completely missed that. Need to clean my glasses I reckon. I can find no reference to a Model 93/95 Mauser with a gas escape port so unless it's a very early 1916 action made before the thumb cut became standard I'm stumped.:confused::dunno:

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Originally Posted by vintage hunter

I can find no reference to a Model 93/95 Mauser with a gas escape port

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Neither can I, but I did find this video on YouTube.

Spanish 1893 Mauser Rifle Overview - YouTube

Watch 03:45 and you will see a gas port on a M1893. Maybe they improved some M1893's to the M1916 specifications?

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Originally Posted by UNPROFOR1994

Maybe they improved some M1893's to the M1916 specifications?

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Could be, the Spanish adopted a more powerful version of the 7x57 in 1913 so perhaps some older '93's had the gas port added to reduce the chances of an action failure in the event of a case head separation?

May have solved the mystery as to what this action is. Was looking back through old threads for clues and came across a 1927 Oviedo Model 93 with gas port. Thread:
Oviedo Model '93 Mauser, Caliber 7mm, Mfg. 1927

Thanks for all the help. I've just measured the round front of the receiver and it's 1.295. someone else has said their Spanish Mauser was this dimension. Were the Spanish Void of any crest or markings on the front top of the receiver?

I also watched the video attached by UNPRO. Should I use a bolt with the gas port in it like the one in the video?

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Originally Posted by komputatek

Were the Spanish Void of any crest or markings on the front top of the receiver?

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I'm pretty sure they all had crests when new but some may have lost them during rebuild. These rifles had long hard service lives and may have been subjected to multiple overhauls. This also may have something to do with the varying receiver ring dimensions.
Yes I would definitely use a bolt with a gas escape port. This is a safety feature to vent the gasses in the event of a case separation and hopefully prevent a catastrophic failure. If your planning on using this receiver for a custom build stick with a cartridge that has a max working pressure of 47,000 psi or less. Preferably less. The heat treatment and metallurgy of the Spanish made receivers is questionable at best.

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Originally Posted by komputatek

My main concern is if this action is buildable

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Why don't you convert her to 7,62 x 39 with a chamber adaptor and a magazine feed kit? Easy, cheap and safer than shooting .308 Winchester.

CHAMBER ADAPTERS

Magazine Feed Kit, Short Action Gun Parts | 811140 | Numrich Gun Parts

Hmm. I like your idea UNPRO. I was considering 7mm, but having one in 7.62X39 would definitely make it different and a good varmint rifle. Besides the SAMMI pressure is much lower on 7.62 I'm definitely not reusing the 308 barrel that came with it. I can't even identify it's actual type although it's very similar to an Enfield 303 barrel. the the feed grove however is narrower on the 303.

Ask a gunsmith to check the barrel. If it is ok, why waste a good barrel? If it was a .303 changed to a .308 it will shoot 7,62x39 just fine.

For a custom build foundation personally I would prefer a 98 action NOT made in Spain. Czech VZ24 actions are fairly plentiful and cheap and the quality is excellent.

I can check the barrel. Just didn't consider using it because it's not a Mauser type barrel and the 308 has a lot of pressure. I also didn't know about the 7.62 conversion, but it's intriguing me. I'm reading some on the conversion kit. apparently theyr'e hard to find. Numrich might have some

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Originally Posted by komputatek

I can't even identify it's actual type although it's very similar to an Enfield 303 barrel.

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Perhaps an Ishapore 2A barrel modified to fit a mauser action???? The 2A's were 7.62x51 Nato. I've seen Springfield 1903a3 barrels on 98 Mausers so it's possible. Could you post some more detailed pics of the barrel?

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Originally Posted by komputatek

the feed grove however is narrower on the 303.

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Are you referring to the extractor cut on the breech face?

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Originally Posted by komputatek

apparently theyr'e hard to find

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MCA sells the chamber adapters for $25.00, Locktite included: CHAMBER ADAPTERS

Numrich sells the magazine feed kit for $19.60: Magazine Feed Kit, Short Action Gun Parts | 811140 | Numrich Gun Parts

I'm probably wrong, but I think I read somewhere the Spanish 1895/1916 pattern 2 has the solid sidewall and oval port w/square bottom bolt.
Those do look like Spanish proofs