mauser floor plate

[bnrg]

Hi,
I took apart my 'new' ww1 mauser 98 to check and clean and cannot get the floor plate to snap back in place. It works a little differently than the 1903's that I am used to but not that much. I tried swapping the plate from a 98k and it fits perfectly, and the ww1 does not snap into place on the k. There are no visual differences that I can see-it almost goes into place but not that last little bit. Any advice on what I need to do? It doesn't appear to be bent, maybe an edge needs to be smoothed over or ??? Same problem on the stock or off. Thanks.
Bob

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[Calif-Steve]

I avoid taking off Mauser floorplates. They can be very difficult to re-assemble. Try using a piece of wood to seat it fully. You can start it with your fingers, I guess but can not get it to seat down and in. It is a down and in motion that works, good luck.

[Patrick Chadwick]

I tried swapping the plate from a 98k and it fits perfectly, and the ww1 does not snap into place on the k. There are no visual differences that I can see-it almost goes into place but not that last little bit. Any advice on what I need to do? It doesn't appear to be bent, maybe an edge needs to be smoothed over or ???

You almost answered your own question. Firstly, everything must be clean. Brush out all edges, nooks and crannies with a wire brush. The lug of the floorplate catch will hang up if there is the tiniest bit of hard muck or rust on the underneath surface of the lug - the hardest bit to see and clean. A few light strokes of a flat Swiss file on that surface, with a slight bevelling of the leading edge, should fix it. The difference you have observed between your rifles is just one of manufacturing tolerances - and/or dirt or corrosion!

The catch itself may also stick, because of fossilized grease.. Look closely and you will see there is a transverse pin through the floorplate frame that holds it in place. Drive out this pin, and then the catch and spring can be pushed out, cleaned, lightly greased, and reassembled.

[bnrg]

Thanks Patrick, got it installed ok.