Mauser ID

[elkermarty]

Just picked up a commercial Mauser 98 action only. There is no markings except the serial number Z34xxx. Can anyone out there id the action. I would like to start building a 6.5/284 or 257 Weatherby on the action but would like to know what action it is first.
Thanks

[USMCM16A2]

Marty,


We need pics. A2

[SVT-40]

Just picked up a commercial Mauser 98 action only. There is no markings except the serial number Z34xxx. Can anyone out there id the action. I would like to start building a 6.5/284 or 257 Weatherby on the action but would like to know what action it is first.
Thanks

How do you know it's a "commercial" Mauser action?

In reality with no markings it's probably a scrubbed surplus military 98 Mauser action.

A true "commercial" Mauser action would have commercial identifying manufacturer and maybe importer markings too.

[Rogerbutthead]

Without any pictures, I'd guess Spanish made.

Please post some pics.

[smle-man]

If a true civilian mauser type action it could be a Spanish Santa Barbara, FN, or Vastava via Interarms. Many of these were used for house brands or custom rifles assembled by a gunsmith.

[Sailormilan2]

If a true civilian mauser type action it could be a Spanish Santa Barbara, FN, or Vastava via Interarms. Many of these were used for house brands or custom rifles assembled by a gunsmith.

The Santa Barbaras willl usually have the word "SPAIN' on the rear tang. The receivers are castings and the SPAIN is molded into the metal.
The easiest way to tell if it is a commercial receiver is the thumb notch. If it doesn't have the thumb notch on the left receiver rail it is a commercial receiver. If it has a thumb notch then it probably is a military receiver. I use the word "probably" since FN made some commercial rifles post WW2 using military style(thumb notched) receivers.

[SVT-40]

The Santa Barbaras willl usually have the word "SPAIN' on the rear tang. The receivers are castings and the SPAIN is molded into the metal.
The easiest way to tell if it is a commercial receiver is the thumb notch. If it doesn't have the thumb notch on the left receiver rail it is a commercial receiver. If it has a thumb notch then it probably is a military receiver. I use the word "probably" since FN made some commercial rifles post WW2 using military style(thumb notched) receivers.

Mauser also made commercial 98 receivers with the side wall cutout. Some also had clip charger guides.

[smle-man]

Mauser also made commercial 98 receivers with the side wall cutout. Some also had clip charger guides.

My pre-war Mauser magnum action rifle completed by Charles Lancaster as a .280 Ross express rifle had the thumb cut out and charger clip guide. It was a true commercial receiver and not a reworked military receiver.