Mauser identification and value?

[NCLivingBrit]

Ok, I fixed the problem with the bolt with a judicious application of elbow grease. Turns out what I thought was finish was old lube that had hardened.

Still haven't had a chance to shoot it, but I am wondering exactly what I have and what it is worth. Here's all the clues I can find on the rifle and some horrible cellphone pics (sorry!).

Markings (no pics of these since my phone won't take a close range pic):

Barrel, left side, right where it meets the receiver: 300 WIN MAG with some sort of stamping under it that I can't make out. They stamped over something though.

Barrel, bottom, right where it meets the receiver: B143 and below that R.L. KERR

Receiver, left side: B143. Below that, under the stock a crown or trefoil with the letter K (possibly H) below it. Below that is what looks like a lion rampart, an underscore then the letters PV and a stamp that looks like a line with a diamond at the base.

Receiver, right side: FN in a cartouche and below that MADE IN BELGIUM

Receiver, bottom: F N and below that what looks like an S in a "cup" and below that 6 2 4 B.

Not sure what, if any marks are on top of the receiver as the Buehler scope mounts cover that entire area.


Other info: Sliding safety (flat, ridged) on right hand side of the action, right at the tang (back safe, forward fire).

Bolt is in the white with a blued bolt handle and bolt sleeve, cocking piece etc. White surfaces of the bolt have been jewelled.

The stock is unmarked and has a Pachmayr recoil pad.

Any help will be appreciated, I do not know too much about Mausers and I am wondering exactly what this rifle is and how much it's worth (I had someone offer to buy it but it was pretty lowball).





The scope is a pre-74 (no prefix) Leupold Vari-X II 3-9 on a Buelher mount and I guess it has the right shim since it is solid as a rock and has obviously been that way for some time.

 

[BrocLuno]

Obviously a rebuild, likely a gunsmith. 300 Winchester magnum round. May have been rebarreled, but the stampings sound military except for R. L. Kerr who probably did the work?

Have you searched on R.L.Kerr? Might still be in business or might have sold the shop, but records might still exist?

What does the top of the forward receiver ring look like?

 

[NCLivingBrit]

Yeah, I wasn't able to find anything on R.L. Kerr. I do know that FN made commercial Mauser rifles in .300 Win Mag, so the R.L. Kerr has me baffled.

I can't tell you what the top of the ring looks like since the mount covers any markings that are there and whoever mounted it used either red Loctite or something similar, there isn't an ounce of budge in the screws and I would rather not know that screw up the mount/screws.

Pics are up though if that helps

 

[Shadow 7D]

Don't forget about the Post War commercial surplus, Commercial rifles build on surplus military actions that they had already built.

 

[NCLivingBrit]

Don't forget about the Post War commercial surplus, Commercial rifles build on surplus military actions that they had already built.

True. I guess FN bought surplus actions and added their stampings/cartouche? This is the problem I have been having trying to pin this rifle down, there were so many Mauser rifles made by so many folks, it's like sorting grains of sand! It's made worse by half-built stuff getting shipped all over and remarked.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

There is no thumb cut-out for using stripper clips so it likely isn't military surplus.

 

[stan rose]

From your picture and description I would guess that it was a commercial FN, that was rebarreled and restocked, or possibly just restocked. Either way it looks like a nice gun. Enjoy!

 

[Shadow 7D]

FN didn't have to BUY anything, they were making MAUSER before the war, during the war, after they were captured and after they were liberated...

contract mausers often weren't German, they were either Czech or FN
and that doesn't even touch on their commercial lines.

 

[Shadow 7D]

FN didn't have to BUY anything, they were making MAUSER before the war, during the war, after they were captured and after they were liberated...

contract mausers often weren't German, they were either Czech or FN
and that doesn't even touch on their commercial lines.

EDIT
also on well done sporters, the stripper guide was often milled off, and there were/are a number of Mauser and even 98 variants out there so...

 

[vaupet]

All your markings have their meaning and a lot of them you can idenify here: http://damascus-barrels.com/Belgian_All_Proofmarks.html up and to the name of the guy who did the proofing of your rifle.
I strongly believe FN mausers are about the finest

greetings

Peter

 

[jimmyraythomason]

also on well done sporters, the stripper guide was often milled off

Yes but they didn't weld up the thumb relief for stripper clip usage which is obviously missing on this rifle.

 

[303tom]

That is a FN in 300 mag. worth somewhere between 7 & 900 dollars.

 

[Jim Watson]

It is one of those cases of what you see is what you have got.
A commercial post WW II FN Mauser action - I think the Supreme what with the side safety - with barrel and stock installed by somebody named Kerr.

 

[NCLivingBrit]

Thanks for all the assistance folks.

I think I am going to shoot the box of ammo I got and then sell this on. The more I think about it, the less use I have for a .300 Win Mag anything!

EDIT: It went on Gunbroker today, since my wife just called and told me she bent her car