I recently picked up two FN 98 actions(1950 Columbian Mausers) and am going to send them off to be built up into a pair to take back to Africa. Does anyone have any photos of custom metal work done to clean up military trigger guards and floorplates?
Your photos would be appreciated.
BJB

This is just a suggestion. You might want to check into buying a couple of 1909 Argentine Triggerguard/Magazine Boxes that are already hinged, as the labor to hinge a regular 98 and then make a floorplate for it might be more than a 1909 unit would cost you.

Depending on what African calibers you have planned, you may want a drop box. That pretty much means aftermarket, i.e., Blackburn or Sunny Hill. You are likely going to spend a pretty penny on those Mausers before they are done. I would not spend any more dressing up military bottom metal. But then that's just me.

There was a recent post somewhere for 1909 bottom metal on Ebay. Do a search for it and you should get it. Additionally, I have spent a lot of time and effort on welding up and re working 98 bottom metal. It is a LOT of work and most guys would not want to pay the price to have it done. You might be better off with the Blackburn stuff.

Go here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7170922738&ssPageName=ADME:B:WN:US:1

flaco

Just trim the triggerguard with a taper toward the rear, (detailed instructions are in Riflesmithing by Jack Mitchell, a very affordable book) and add a simple B-Square type button in place of the millsurp bullet hole. Total cost is about $25.00 and some elbow grease (including the one time cost of the book) and you end up with a nice looking setup that is every bit as functional as a drop box with more capacity.

Thanks guys for your input. Since the first one will be 30-06 I will take the advice of Wsrenhuntr for now and see how that looks when finished.
Rgds.
BJB