Questions about an old FN Mauser. Short, Mountain, or "Tanker" Model

[Enfielder]

Hey folks. I'm a new member here. I have been lurking on this and many other sites like it (for quite some time now) but I chose to join this one for it's content and the collective knowledge.
I have an old? FN Mauser with no imprinted crest in the receiver. There are no markings on it but Fabrique Nationale-Belgium and a century arm import mark. Serial #5XX (Really low number)

I recently broke the rear sight. I was trying to remove the pin and, lo and behold, there is no punchable pin but it is a one piece unit. So, here I have a broken sight insert but an intact base. To me that is an invitation to put a long eye relief scope on it an turn it into a deer killer.
The only place I can find information on the shorty Mausers is from Mitchell's website. I called him/them and asked for some info or measurements of his rear scope mount he has for his gun but he more or less said that it wouldn't fit and then offered no further help. (I'll not be dealing with him in the future)

I spent the last two nights on the intrawebs searching for some definitive answers and I can only come up with a few pictures of a "Moroccan" Mauser. It is very similar to what I have but I don't know the specifics related to my rifle. This is a link to what I think is mine.

http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting2006/mormauser/index.asp

What I need is to find an original sight that will fit or a scope base that will fit. Is there anyone here that knows these guns and can offer some guidance? Thanks.

 

[Maverick223]

If you have a photo, that would really help, as would knowing the chambering, and whether it is in original/as-issued or sporterized condition. I imagine that these mounts will work (depending upon whether or not it was sporterized).

Hope this helps, and welcome to THR, Enfielder!

 

[Enfielder]

The link that I posted is the spitting image of my rifle. It is not sporterized at all. I'll post a pic later. I'm only home for lunch right now

 

[Maverick223]

You will have to D&T (drill and tap) for any standard mount (unless this has already been done), though the side mount may work without having to D&T. You may also run into clearance issues with a standard scope mount, especially if you haven't a bent bolt and modified safety (and I assume you don't), so I think you are on the right track with a scout setup (if you are alright with the awkwardness of a long ER scopes and its effect on balance). Here is a mount that should work for you.

 

[Enfielder]

Picture time. Everybody loves pictures. I'm asking so many questions for two reasons.
1. I don't know much about this gun and I think that it's a freak.
2. I don't know everything there is to know about Mausers and their interchangeability.

Here's a link to my first photobucket experience. Let me know if it works. Yes, I hunt cupcakes. It's a long story.....
http://s1036.photobucket.com/albums/a441/CupcakeHunter/

 

[krinko]

It's a Freak alright---but there are lots of them.
I've never seen a Moroccan carbine, but I have handled the 7,92x57 Dutch "Queen Wilhelmina" and own one of the Venezuelan carbines in 7x57.
Yours seems to be in beautiful condition---mine is an interesting bit of wall decoration.
Have you shot that little Pain Machine yet? Caliber?
-----krinko

 

[Maverick223]

Looks like a nice rifle. I assume it isn't D&T'd for a scope mount...does it have a bent bolt?

BTW, I hunt pie!

 

[jimmyraythomason]

According to the surplusrifle site the Moroccan Mauser is in 30.06. Is that what your rifle is chambered for?

 

[Enfielder]

My rifle is chambered for 7.92 x 57. As far as shoot-ability goes, it is very forgiving in the recoil department and deadly accurate (until I wasted the rear sight) it certainly doesn't hurt as much as my Enfield no5. That thing is just plain devastating after 10 or so rounds with that rubber "cushion" that focuses the recoils right into the old rotator cuff. This Mauser is really cool in low light with military rounds. It puts out this 2' diameter fireball that looks like it cooks everything around the muzzle.

It does have a bent bolt. It is not drilled and tapped. As far as throwing off the balance of the rifle goes, I don't think that having a bit of weight up front would make too bad of a difference. It would look pretty bad ass with a shorty LER 4X.

Maverick, you had a few ideas about which mount would work but, like I said, this gun is a freak. I need to know exactly what to order. I am working with S&K through email and I sent them pics with measurements. We'll see what they say. I was hoping to find someone here that has followed this same goose.

 

[NCsmitty]

Welcome to THR, Enfielder.

Where is the ladder section of the sight? Were the pins part of the ladder sight?
The sight can probably refitted with roll pins or something similar.

It would be wise to retain the rifle as original as possible. You might have a special little package there. That means no D&T for scope bases, at least for now.

Wondering, as is jimmyraythomason, what caliber is it?

I see, 8mm Mauser.

NCsmitty

 

[Maverick223]

Maverick, you had a few ideas about which mount would work but, like I said, this gun is a freak. I need to know exactly what to order.

I can't give you an answer with any certainty (I don't own one...and don't know that I have ever seen one), but I don't see why the one I linked last wouldn't work. You may want to e-mail the manufacturer (make sure to include your measurements) for details on the fitment.

It would be wise to retain the rifle as original as possible. You might have a special little package there. That means no D&T for scope bases, at least for now.

+1

 

[NCsmitty]

It does have a bent bolt.

Chances are it is a military bent bolt, actually more of a curved bolt, but not enough clearance for a scope.



NCsmitty

 

[Dr.Rob]

FN M1950 looks like they were all 30-06. A replacelent rear sight should be readily available, but it might NOT be numbered properly, that's a 14" sight radius! Danish FN M-48 sight might work.

 

[Enfielder]

"Where is the ladder section of the sight? Were the pins part of the ladder sight?
The sight can probably refitted with roll pins or something similar.

It would be wise to retain the rifle as original as possible. You might have a special little package there. That means no D&T for scope bases, at least for now."

The ladder is in a ziploc bag in my shop. The pins were/are part of the ladder. Regarding using roll pins, I'd have to have the sight welded and then machined. There is also not enough stock to use proper pins without using spacers in the ears. The Danish M48 sight sounds like a proper option as this little girl has only a 14" radius as well. Dr. Rob, do you have any links? I'm of to google now......

 

[Enfielder]

Am I correct in assuming that removal of the rear sight is accomplished by heating up the sight "sleeve" and sliding it off the barrel after the screw is removed? Same for the front sight? Are they soldered in place or machine fit? If I can find a replacement sight, I'll do it all myself. That would make my day.

 

[NCsmitty]

Am I correct in assuming that removal of the rear sight is accomplished by heating up the sight

Yes, here's a link to photos showing sight removal of a Mauser style sight. Yours should be similar.

www.gswagner.com/mausight/mausight.html

I still question that the original ladder can't be repaired, compared to the process of removing the whole sight assy. You'll probably need to mark the position of the old sight base before melting the solder.


NCsmitty

 

[Dr.Rob]

Well I came up with numerous complete sights at Numrich but not for the FN M48 or M50. It also appears there are replacement ladders that can be used to fit that base but the elevation markings would be off. (We are talking 20 or 30 bucks in parts.)