[JesseL]

Hi all,
I could use some help identifying a large-ring '98 mauser style action I inherited from my grandfather. It doesn't have any markings other than a four digit serial number with the second digit rotated 90 degrees counter clockwise. It measures about 8.525" from the front of the receiver ring to the back of the tang. The distance between the screws is about 7.83". It has been rebarreled to .244 Remington and the barrel appears to have a cut at 3 O'clock for the extractor.

I can't find any description that fit this action, it seems to be an intermediate length ( yugo?) but with screw spacing closer to a true '98. Any help is appreciated.

[Jim K]

It sounds like a standard Mauser 98 that has been "sporterized", except that a 98 barrel has no extractor cut. It looks like it does when you look into the receiver, but the cut is actually in the internal collar that is part of the receiver. If the barrel is removed, it is flat on the end.

As to the number, I doubt any factory would have turned a number on its side; German K.98k rifles had a 1-4 digit number followed by a letter, but the letter was always last. Is it possible that the gunsmith who worked on the rifle restamped a number and goofed?

Jim

[JesseL]

It definitely has a cut that extends into the barrel, it looks like the descriptions I've heard of Yugo Mausers that have the "fully enclosed cartridge head" feature. It also doesn't have the small projection on the left side of the bolt that a true 98 would have.

I would just assume that this is a Yugo except that, from what I've read, while it seems to have the overall length of an "intermediate length" action such as the Yugos, the screw spacing is the same as a full length 98.

http://www.hoosiergunworks.com/catalog/mauser_reference.html

[Jim K]

An easy check. If the front lock screw is ahead of the guard screw, it is a standard 98. If the lock screw is behind the guard screw, it is a M48 length action.

Jim

[JesseL]

How about if it doesn't have a lock screw?

[Jim K]

Then it isn't an M48, isn't a 98 action, or isn't military. I think we need more info and, if possible, pictures.

Jim

[JesseL]

I'll get some pics up tomorrow. In the meantime all the info I can think to add is that according to grandad's records (which I just found), he bought this from Golden State Arms as a bare action in December of 1960 and his records list it as a Mauser 98 :rolleyes:

[JesseL]

Here are pictures of the action. Note that it originally came with a straight bolt handle and standard trigger.

[Jim K]

It certainly is a Mauser 98 action. Whether it was ever a military action is impossible to tell, but the absence of numbers on the parts would seem to indicate it was not. I think it may have been one of the commercial Mauser actions being imported around that time. Some were made in Yugoslavia, in the same plant where the M48's were made. Complete rifles were imported by several companies, and actions were also imported for building custom rifles.

I wish I could help further, but I am pretty well stymied. I guess we will have to call it a sporting rifle with a Mauser action, and let it go at that.

Jim

[JesseL]

Thanks for all your help Jim, I appreciate it. Any idea's on what to look for in getting a stock for it?

I may swing by J&G Sales tomorrow and pick up an M48 just to compare it with.

[Jim Watson]

Geez, is the bent bolt handle SCREWED ON?

Golden State was a pre-GCA '68 importer and sporterizer.
In 1960, I'd bet they were selling military Mauser actions with national markings ground off.
Later they started bringing new actions in from Spain, but those did not have clip slots and thumb notches as shown here.

[JesseL]

Geez, is the bent bolt handle SCREWED ON?

Yes it is :o . It's a little ugly, but very solid.