Mystery FN Mauser

[gun toting monkeyboy]

The barrel/receiver proofs were fairly standard for rifles coming out of the same factory at about the same time. So that isn't always an indication that the rifle is from a certain lot. Looking at the caliber marking, it appears to use a different font than the factory original markings. This could mean that the barrel is still original, but it was rebored from either 7x57 or 7.65x53 mauser. Again this could have been done by a government, or one of the arms houses that florished in Europe in the interwar period. These interwar mausers were shipped and reshipped all over the world to scores of conflicts that were going on at that time. And it was far from uncommon for an order of guns to be made for one government, only to have it fall to a revolution before they could pay for or receive them. Some of these guns were then scrubbed and either sold to other governments or to arms dealers to sell to smaller buyers.

-Mb

[Mustang]

Thanks, guys.

Got it all back together...without the cosmo.

[littlejake]

Best I can do, trap.
I've looked at it with magnification and it is a standing lion with the letters "PV" underneath

Lion over PV means proofed for smokeless powder --similar to BNP on an Enfield.

[Mustang]

Thanks, Jake.

And the PV under standing lion is an FN proof, correct?

Most of the small parts have a "circle A" proof which I understand is also an FN proof

So the barrel, bolt and most of the small parts are all FN made, if I understand correctly.

Which makes me wonder all the more, what this rifle is, actually.

Many have suggested that it is a Yugo refurb, which is possible...but would the Yugoslavians have bothered to keep all the small parts together? Also, this is a standard length Mauser action, not the shorter M24 action.

[littlejake]

Thanks, Jake.

And the PV under standing lion is an FN proof, correct?

It's specific to Belgium. In the same sense BNP is specific to England -- but may be seen on Enfields, Webleys, et cetera.

[Mustang]

Thanks jake.