when did Mauser begin offering 30-06 in their rifles? thanks capt david

Not a complete answer to your question...

A flock of commercial FN manufactured M98 Mauser actioned rifles were imported by Sears, Montgomery Wards, and other large chain stores post Korean War. I believe these were manufactured on FN's Model 50 and 51 H-Ring M98 actions.

Chamberings were (at least those that I saw) were either 270 Winchester or 30-06. I'm not positive what other chambering were offered though I did hear at least one chain offered the 25-06 chambering.

Mauser factory sporters were available in 30’06 or US 30 1906 as they stamped their rifles way back before WW1.

Jon Speed in Chapter 22 says the 30/06 was one of the first cartridges offered in the Masuer Model B 98.

The earliest serial number given in the Serial Number index is BU 27658 this is a pre-WWI rifle. A hard date is not give for this particular rifle. But it is in the 1908 range of serial numbers. That tells me when Jon Speed wrote Masuer.. Sporting Rifle the earliest 30/06 he could find was this one built in 1908.

If he gives a date for when the Model B was introduced, I cannot decipher it now on my 8th reading of the book. It is obvious from the serial number tables the Model B was introduced before WWI.

Pre WWI importers into the USA of Mauser rifles were H. Tauscher and ON Lengerke and Detmoldof both of New York.
Model Cs was also imported by Tauscher in 30/06 before WWI.

quote:

Originally posted by capoward:
I'm not positive what other chambering were offered though I did hear at least one chain offered the 25-06 chambering...

I take it that addition would not have been until the mid-'60s when Remington commercialised the cartridge. FN apparently chambered the Mauser sporters at that time in 21 calibres, but I don't recall the .25-06 being one of them. The .30-06 chamberings may have even appeared in some markets under the metric name of 7.62x63.

The one I listed above is definitely in the 1908 serial range. That is the oldest in the charts. I can take a picture of the 1908 listed 30/06 and send it to anyone if they will PM email or iPhone number.

quote:

when did Mauser begin offering 30-06 in their rifles?

Who is "Mauser"?

Paul von Mauser, the action's designer? Or the company which currently owns the trademark of the Mauser Banner? Or some other company which produces an action based on the Mauser design? Just who or what are we speaking of?

I think the OP means when did Mauser rifles first appear chambered in the 06?

I hunt with that. The year for that serial number is 1908 year range, not 1906, according to John Speed’s index, but still would be early.

I will send anyone a picture of the index ledger if someone will pm me email and iPhone number.

The 30/06 is a lot more frequently identified once you get into 1912 SNs.

The first one given is in the 1908 range of SNs. I agree that is early.

Maybe the action was built and numbered in 1908 and did not get a 30/06 barrel until later. That is likely.

Best of my memory and purchase of an comm. Fn in 30-06 was about 1945 to 1950..but just a guess

Some confusion going on..An FN is NOT a Mauser or a 98 Mauser, its an FN,Fabrique Nationale..Has become common to refer to them as Mausers as they are basically copies but with some differences.. but they are not made by Mauser,

I told these guys they needed to address such questions to you!