JC Higgins FN mod. 98 Mauser

[8mmman]

bought a really nice looking commercial FN marked model 98 mauser in 3006. The rifle is marked JC Higgins and so is the mounted scope which looks to be a Weaver 4 power. The quality of this rifle is superb with a hand checkered walnut stock and vrey smooth action. I got this for $250.

The older man who I bought this from said his dad had bought this in the mid 1950's from JC Higgins. I guess back then anyone sold rifles.

Has anyone ever seen one of these before? I've attached a picture of it. I'm of the opinion the FN 98 action is worth more than I payed for the whole rifle, what do you guys think?

 

[Float Pilot]

No photo.

JC Higgins was a guy who worked for Sears and Robuck. One day they decided that his name would sound cool on sporting goods that Sears had made by other contractors.

Sears bought rifles and shotguns from FN, Savage, Stevens, Ithaca and Winchester as large lots and often put their JC Higgins name on them. They later used Ted Williams name of many of their sporting arms and gear.

 

[Neckshot5seven]

I have herd of them selling in the old days of Sears. I have never seen one though. They from what I have herd are pretty good quality. Nice commercial actions without stripper clip cuts. A+ for a custom build

 

[8mmman]

picture

See if I can get the picture to post this time------ I can't seem to get it to post.

 

[NCsmitty]

The FN version is a quality rifle and I believe they had a chrome bore. The only bad thing I've heard is a few can be found with stock cracks near the tang of the rear action bolt. You have a gem there.

NCsmitty

 

[Ash]

Great rifle.

 

[Dookie]

I picked up a Wards Western Field M98 in 30-06, great rifle, probably the same as mine just says JC higgins. Super shooter.

You might want to check and see if it is the standard large ring or the intermediate action. Mine is the intermediate so I can't just buy a stock for mine.

 

[Ash]

Is yours one of the Heym-made Mauser actions or an FN?

Ash

 

[8mmman]

It says FN on the side of the reciever

 

[Ash]

Those are better. The Heym-guns are actually Mauser 2000 and 3000's, which were good rifles, but the FN actions were better (but marked in the most spartan, inelegant way).

Ash

 

[8mmman]

Thanks for all your help guys. Sounds like I have a good one

 

[dirtyjim]

they are very nice sporters, i have one in 270. the barrels are chrome line high standard barrels. the scopes are made by weaver & i think the original rings & mounts were made by mashburn.
the original mounts are similar to a dovetail mount but the front base has a recoil shoulder like talley bases.
the odd thing about the fn receivers on jc higgins rifles is some of them have a non standard spacing on the rear scope mount holes.
most of the stocks were also plain & not checkered.
their stocks are have a small amount of glass bedding because of the sako style trigger. the trigger is attatched the the trigger guard & any change can affect the sear engagement