Swedish mauser stock notch

[Alaskan Ironworker]

Ive had a sporterized swedish mauser since I was kid, and as long as Ive owned it Ive wondered why there is a crudely chiseled notch in the stock just forward of the bolt handle. Its roughly an inch long and 1/4” deep. I always assumed it was some bubba’s work, end of story. Last week I saw a for sale ad and there was another sporterized swede with a nearly identical crudely carved notch in the same place. Anyone know who did this sort of thing or why? And why was it so crudely done if it did serve a legitimate purpose? One of these days I plan on patching with a piece of wood stolen from under the butt plate so it should match perfectly. The scoped one is my mauser, the scopeless one is a random internet mauser.

 

[troy fairweather]

for a peep sight.

 

[Alaskan Ironworker]

I was kinda thinking that, but theres no holes in the side of my receiver. Must have had a stock swap sometime in its last 100 years.

 

[George P]

Peep sight might be fastened to the receiver

 

[eastbank]

stock was swapped .

 

[saiga308]

thats the dead mans notch count it shot in the past

 

[rbernie]

I've seen pictures of Swede target sights that mounted on the rear bridge; no side holes. I suspect that's what your rifle / stock had, at one point.