I recently came across a Mauser Standard Model rifle for sale at a pawn shop. It has the Mauser banner on the front receiver ring, a standard flip over safety, and a fine trigger. The bottom metal is a military type with locking screw. It has a FN type bolt handle with checkering on the flat of the bolt knob. Is this a put togeather rifle or did it come from the factory configured this way? Is this a commercial Mauser action or a military conversion?????

The Standard Modell was a contract rifle for the German Post Office, Police, Border Guards, and Civilian Marksmanship clubs. It should look to be military, except for better fit and finish.

Was it worth $275.00???? For the whole rifle.

Forrest is correct. Unaltered it should have a straight uncheckered bolt handle. I used to be the proud owner of an unissued Standard modell / GHOST modell (SG/42 over stamped with Mauser banner) but I traded it to another Mauser collector Bob Landis, the fellow who makes the semi auto BAR for a k98 sniper. That should give you an idea what the ghost version is worth. It was a wash i guess.

I sure wouldn't pay that for a rifle that does not even have the correct bolt. What do oyu want to do with it? Use the action for a project? THen that is a lot for this action. Have an example of a Standard Modell (it has 2 "L"s). THis one doe not have the correct bolt. You could find one for $50 or so and then sell the incorrect bolt on it. Of course, the wood would have had to be releived to fit the bent bolt handle, so it i sscrewed. SO you have a Franken-Standard-Modell for $275. Would be hard to ever get your money back, but if you just want it, get it

LB404,
unaltered SM's generally bring premium prices to 1909 Argentines and on par with 35 Brazilians or Chileans.

If you're buying the action for a project, I wouldn't worry about the bolt handle as you will probably replace it anyway. $275 seems reasonable. Unaltered, a complete rifle is worth $500 or more to collectors. If the bolt matches and only the bolt handle was replaced, I would certainly consider it for a project rifle. Oberndorfs are getting scarce.

Thanks, I thought it was a better deal than, it seems, it was. Would this be as good an action as a G33-40 metal wise??

LB404, I know one of your buddies that would like it (C.B.) if you decide you don't want it after all...........DJ

metalurgically speaking, it is as good as a G 33/40. Not anywhere nearly as desirable from a custom rifle standpoint. Not that anything is wrong with it, but the 33/40 would be more in demand and bring more money. If you are looking for an action donor, a military V 24 would be as nice a rifle and you can get one for $70. If you sold the rifles, you may get $25 more for a Standard Modell.

Was the stock cut under the bolt handle?

Your description of the bolt handle is that of a Kar98a, which in itself (esp. if matching to itself) will bring $50 plus... The Czechs made a similar bolt, marked with 'circle Z' proofs, but not seen very often - only on the Brazilian bent bolt VZ24 in 7x57, as far as I know.

A real Standard Modell bolt is straight, and has BU proofs on top of the stem. They are not easy to find. A standard model should have either "Standard Modell" (may also have "1924" after that) or the "Waffenfabrik Mauser Oberndorf a/n" legend on the left side rail. The front ring should have the Mauser banner, possibly with a date (1933, 1934) below it. If the left side rail is blank and the stock is recessed for a bent bolt, what you have is a Banner K98 - these usually don't have German commercial proofs either.

$275 sounds a little steep for me, especially if you are thinking of just the action, and really especially since I paid $75 for the last two Oberndorf commercial actions I bought.

Best,
Todd

I just read in the Ludwig Olson book Mauser Bolt rifles , the 1933 Standard Modell for the Deutche Reichpost have the bolt handle turned down .

Daniel