Saw one today. Heavy barrel chambered in .222, stocked in birdseye maple and wearing a Lichert 12x.

Nice 50's or 60's varmint rifle. I have never seen a short action Mauser. I called a gunsmith friend and we chatted, but he was unsure of the value though he did say they are rare.

I am putting this up in a couple forums here but what forum here would be best to ask this question on?

I post here rarely, so apologies if I should have put this elsewhere.

PS I did look for possibility that it was a welded action. I did not see any sign of this.

There's no such thing as a short action 98. What you saw was more than likely a very nice example of a shortened 98 with other modifications (and there's more than a few) needed to make it work in the 222 chambering.

Hello Utah Scattergunner !!

I have a short action Mauser 98 (in 250 Savage) so yes they are about but very uncommon, I am far from an expert in these but there were only about 4000 made I believe.

In good condition they sell for very significant money to the knowledgeable.

The action (if genuine) should have German proofs although I believe Stoeger imported some actions before WWII.

For authoritative information have a look at the rifles here, and discuss - these guys know their stuff. http://forums.nitroexpress.com...=0&Board=mauserforum

Cheers

Foster

it could be a kurtz, and therefore expensive, or it could be a wekd, and therefote not

Those little Kurz action as rare as hens teeth. If that is what you actually saw that was your lucky day.

There were a number of "short action 'Mausers'" made by various commercial manufacturers, as well as some "short action Mausers" like the Mexican and Argentine '98 military models, as well as the Swedish '94-'96 military model. The value of the gun would largely depend on which action it has.

The old Herter company imported a short action Mauser called the XK3 and another labeled the J9. Some of the XK3's were made in Germany and were rather crudely finished for a German product. The J9's came from Yugoslavia and were similar in quality to most of the lower end commercial Mausers of the day like the Santa Fe and others.

The small ring Mexican Mausers are highly sought-after for building custom rifles, but who did the work on the conversion and how well it was done is everything insofar as value.

Bottom line: It is impossible to guess at the worth of the rifle unless you know a lot more about the action itself (as well as the barrel and general workmanship of the gun.)

I am a long way from home for the 4th holiday. I may be able to take another look at the rifle before we head home.

If we assume that I can determine it is an original kurz action, and not a reweld, what would the value on JUST the action be.

I'll judge the value of the rest of the rifle attached to it.

I'll ask if we can pull it from the stock tomorrow if I can get there again.

From memory, other things I noticed.

It had complete bottom metal, magazine fed.

"v76" or similar on side of action.

I did not see the s/n on any piece as I have noticed on military Mausers.

Appeared to have stripper clip guide.

That is all I can remember at the moment.

here's some of the mauser lengths
http://forums.accuratereloadin...=971105007#971105007

The pre-war commercial Kurz is the only short true Mauser action I am aware of. Rare and expensive. The Mexican Mauser is the shortest military 98 Mauser, actually intermediate in length: MexMauser

quote:

Originally posted by Utah Shotgunner:
Saw one today. Heavy barrel chambered in .222, stocked in birdseye maple and wearing a Lichert 12x.

Nice 50's or 60's varmint rifle. I have never seen a short action Mauser. I called a gunsmith friend and we chatted, but he was unsure of the value though he did say they are rare.

I am putting this up in a couple forums here but what forum here would be best to ask this question on?

I post here rarely, so apologies if I should have put this elsewhere.

PS I did look for possibility that it was a welded action. I did not see any sign of this.

I should think any vintage custom rifle with original Oberndorf Sporter action would be rare. At the time they were imported one could get entire Winchester or Remington 30s bolt rifle or Savage 99 lever gun for $2 or $3 more. The Magnum Mauser action alone was almost $20 more then price of rifles mentioned above. I suspect there were very few takers.

custom. in 250 savage

Definately a 'short' action. .223 length. I'll follow the link above and see what it might let me know.

I like accurate rifles and oddballs. I also like older optics. But I am not in a position to overpay.

quote:

Originally posted by jeffeosso:
here's some of the mauser lengths
http://forums.accuratereloadin...=971105007#971105007

I found this at your link and will put it to use.

Type XI, "True" short action, aka Commercial Kurz
Action OAL: 8.125
Recvr screws, center to center: 7.225
Bolt body length: 5.760
Magazine length: 2.725
Recvr ring dia: 1.300, small ring
Barrel shank dia: .980, small shank

These are very rare and expensive, and a collector's item on their own. Chambered for short cartridges such as the .250 Savage, they are so hard to come by that they are often made by cutting down a standard Type I M98 action. If you suspect you have one, look for a welded receiver just forward of the thumb cut. Bolts are usually welded just behind the aft end of the guide rib.

quote:

Originally posted by Utah Shotgunner:
Definately a 'short' action. .223 length. I'll follow the link above and see what it might let me know.

I like accurate rifles and oddballs. I also like older optics. But I am not in a position to overpay.

If you decide not to "bite" there is always the ubiquitous CZ 527.

Okay, can someone put a 'worst case' value on the action alone, if I can determine it is a true kurz?

I called and will be able to examine/purchase it tomorrow. IF it passes examination.

I have a BIL that has a .223 in what he calls a "mini mauser". It looks exactly like a diminutive 98.

Crudely finished or not sure wished I had a few in my shop now.Would be nice to have.
Oh,the possibilities.

Welded...

From what I could see, using the advice and information from the folks here and Nitro Express. Oh well.

A very cool project that someone put together with some very good workmanship, but not worth the asking price to me at the moment. I am still mulling it over and may call up and offer them a lowball price. The old Lichert, which originally caught my attention, would be nice on one of my older rifles.

Best regards!

Crappy cell phone pics.



[image]http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a159/Marksman30/Mauser%20Rifle/Mini%20Mauser%20%20%20222%20Rem/CIMG0102-1.jpg[/image]

[image]http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a159/Marksman30/Mauser%20Rifle/Mini%20Mauser%20%20%20222%20Rem/CIMG0090-1.jpg[/image]

[image]http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a159/Marksman30/Mauser%20Rifle/Mini%20Mauser%20%20%20222%20Rem/CIMG0103.jpg[/image]

[image]http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a159/Marksman30/Mauser%20Rifle/Mini%20Mauser%20%20%20222%20Rem/CIMG0093.jpg[/image]

[image]http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a159/Marksman30/Mauser%20Rifle/Mini%20Mauser%20%20%20222%20Rem/CIMG0097.jpg[/image]

[image]http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a159/Marksman30/Mauser%20Rifle/Mini%20Mauser%20%20%20222%20Rem/CIMG0092.jpg[/image]

Hello Again

Well that is an unusual rifle, to be sure. It is not what I would term a "Kurz" mauser, firstly the action is based on a pre "98" type, looks like a Swede 96 to me. I would say that someone has made a very nice job of shortening one, certainly with good workmanship and the right techniques you might not see the welding.

I wanted to say right off at the beginning of the thread that a "kurz" mauser with a .378 boltface would have to have been 'smithed anyway - I think the rule with these sporting mausers is never say "never" but I have not heard of an original with this boltface.

I like the rifle in the picture but its not in the same league price wise as an original.

Good Luck

Foster

btw, you flipped image93 ... unless its a lefty

its a reweld 96 action... cute, not a kurtz ..

quote:

Originally posted by jeffeosso:
btw, you flipped image93 ... unless its a lefty

its a reweld 96 action... cute, not a kurtz ..

Yes, flipped for easier viewing.

Remind me, does the 96 action cock on opening or closing?

The 96 cocks on closing.

quote:

Originally posted by craigster:
The 96 cocks on closing.

The folks at nitroexpress.com are saying this is a Mauser '93. I asked about the cocking, as this gun cocked on opening.

I don't know much about the various Mauser actions and thought it was a '98 because of this. The Swedish Mauser '96 I had for a while cocked on closing as you stated. Thus my confusion. So, as the risk or inaccuracy, I'll assume the '93 cocks on opening??

Mauser '93s, '94s, '95s, and '96s all cock on closing but are frequently converted to cock on opening.

http://i11.photobucket.com/alb...90-1.jpg[/IMG][/url]

It's a 93. Square boltface & lack of guide rib are dead giveaways.

quote:

Originally posted by Panzerschmied:
if I am not mistaken,the short,or kurz,98 action were the A modle,,designated as commercial sporter only action,,,hope this helps

No, the Kurz was the type "K".