Mauser Identification Please..

[303Aus.]

Hi All,

We have come across a sporterised Mauser (converted to .243 drilled and tapped for a scope) and would like to identify which model it actually is and would appreciate any help please.

Usual story, passed down from an estate and no one knows where it came from. Unfortunatly we have had 3 opinions all of which differ and while we know of their great reputation, we are new to Mausers themselves. The opinions we have been given were that it "might" be either a model 95 or 96 or M38. The bolt handle is down and the rifle cocks on closing. The serial No. on the bolt handle matches the Receiver as per attached Pics. The reason we need to know is so we can get a new extractor which is badly cracked just behind the claw as per the 3rd Pic, is this a normal occurance?

Any help would be very much appreciated, thanks.

Information

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[Patrick Chadwick]

The action is neither M95 nor M96 nor M38. Good that you posted your query here, because the people who have advised you up to know obviously did not know much about Mauser actions. OK, I don't always get it right myself, but I have handled and dismantled enough to give you the following comments. All, of course, As Far As I Can See Without Actually Having The Object In My Hands. So I may be wrong!

The action appears to be a civilian 98 action. The 98 actions were cock-on-opening. So the fact that it is now cock-on closing is a strong indication that it has been altered. By someone who was incompetent. The anonymous guy who we all know as Bubba, in fact.

extractor which is badly cracked just behind the claw as per the 3rd Pic, is this a normal occurance?

No. The extractor was probably cracked when Bubba dismantled the bolt assembly with brute force, not knowing how to do it properly.

On the rear ring of the receiver you can see a diffence in the finísh in the area of the slot for the magazine clip. This is because Bubba ground down the thicker portion, which you can see on any original example of a 98 action, to have a smoother surface for the scope mounting, rather than getting the proper mounts for a 98 action.

Please observe how the holes for the scope mountings are irregular in finish, and not even properly aligned. The front hole on the receiver ring is in the region of the chamber. Knowing Bubba, it has possibly gone through into the chamber section of the barrel.

Here in Mauserland, where the authorities don't like Bubbas endangering themselves and others by f...ing* about with things that go bang, the proof house would refuse to even fire such a rifle, and condemn it. OK, you live somewhere else, but my personal opinion is that that rifle has not only been Bubba-ed, it has been FUBARed, which is like Bubba-ed, but much more serious.

I would also not be at all surprised, in such a case, to find that Bubba has also "improved " the trigger pull in the traditional bodger's way that can actually make a rifle dangerous to handle. Does it have an easy let-off, a trigger pull much lighter than a typical military rifle? That is not good - it is a danger sign. Have you checked for "impact fire" and "safety-off fire"?

I, personally, would not want to have it.


Patrick




*fooling, just in case you were wondering!

[303Aus.]

Thanks for your reply Patrick, it's realy appreciated. I was sure there was something not quite right with it when we saw the mounting holes weren't in line. I can see the difference in the finnish also.
I will check for trigger pull, "impact fire" and "safety-off fire" later today. But I suspect you will be right and either way I will be recomending the owner consign to the "viewing only" cupboard.
Again, thanks for all your help and advice.

RY

[Patrick Chadwick]

...you write that it has been converted to .243. That has to mean a new barrel. Looking at what is already apparent from the photos, I would be very sceptical about a conversion done by the same, obviously incompetent person! Did I mention head clearance? This is one case where the general advice "have it checked out by a properly qualified and experienced gunsmith" should be taken very seriously.