Need help identifying Mauser action

S

Sub MOA

New member
Hello all,

I have picked up an '06 built on a Mauser action. From what I can determine, the action is a large ring 98 (based on front receiver ring diameter and action screw distance). Thing is, it differs from my other Mauser actions in a couple ways. First, the left rail of the receiver is cut away (about the size and shape of half a thumbnail) just ahead of the bolt release. Second, the rear receiver ring has a square shaped cutout on the forward edge. My other Mauser action rifles do not have these cutouts. Can anyone help identify this particular Mauser version? There are no visible stampings or proofmarks on the receiver with the exception of a serial number placed by the gent who built the rifle (haven't yet removed stock). Any help would be appreciated. Love shooting 'em, now am trying to learn more about 'em.

Thanks,
Sub
 
It sounds like what your are describing are the cut-outs for stripper clip loading that military Mausers have. Are your other Mausers civilian or military?
 
Sounds like it originally had a magazine cutoff that has since been discarded.
The magazine cutoof was specified by several countries when they went to bolt action rifles for their military arms. The thinking of many procurers was that the individual soldier would waste ammo by not aiming as precisely b/c they had another round ready to fire just by throwing the bolt. Therefore if they missed with their first shot it wouldn't necessarily be an instantaneous life or death decision as they had a backup round handy.
 
Steve,

My other Mauser actions are of the commercial variety...ever heard of Firearms International Corp, Wash.D.C.? (I have never been able to find info on this company). I don't have any experience with military bolt actions, so this could very well be what I've got. Would love to have a scanner right now so I could show you all exactly what we're dealing with. Anyway, thanks for your help.

Sub
 
Sub MOA. The cut out on the left side of the receiver is for your thumb to clear the side of the gun when loading with a stripper clip. The square cut at the rear receiver ring originally had a raised portion that has obviously been ground down so that a scope base can be attached. In use, you place a stripper clip loaded with 5 rounds into the slot at the rear of the receiver and pressed down with your left thumb. When you closed the bolt, the stripper clip popped out and you were good to go.
Commercial Mausers from Firearms International had none of these features, the receiver slot on the left and clip guide.
F.I. was an importer of several foreign made firearms of rather good quality. I can't remember when they went out of business, but I think it was sometime in the late 1970's or early 1980's.
Their Mausers were based on commercial FN actions. These are the same actions as were used in the fine Browning bolt guns of the late 1960' and early 1970's. The Brownings differed only slightly in they had a different type bolt release, and better polishing and blueing. I believe FN stopped making commercial Mauser actions sometime in the mid 1970's due to the high cost of manufacture.
Paul B.
 
FYI,

Mausers never had a magazine cutoff. German tactical doctrine was to fire from the magazine at all times, and Mauser designs complied with that.

Jim
 
Ah ha! This makes complete and logical sense. I feel sort of stupid not having figured it out myself since I have the vast majority of my Y2K .223 stash on strippers. Duhhhh! :o Thanks for all your help, especially Paul B.

Sub
 
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