I have a custom mauser and I can't find the serial numbers anywhere. This is an original mauser with the thumb cut. Are there serial numbers on the bolt and receiver? Where should the serial numbers be located? Please help.

Mauser serial numbers are typically on the right side of the reciever ring just above the wood line.

Sometimes it depends on the gunsmith and how they did the receiver polishing. They will remove the original serial number and re-stamp it on the bottom of the receiver for looks. I think Mark Penrod does this sometimes.

Mike,
the ATF is not very clear on these, they don't like the SN to be removed

jeffe

quote:

Originally posted by mufasa:
I have a custom mauser and I can't find the serial numbers anywhere. This is an original mauser with the thumb cut. Are there serial numbers on the bolt and receiver? Where should the serial numbers be located? Please help.

If your receiver has been surface ground, then it is possible your serial number is sitting on the floor of the shop who did the work. Hit *69 and call ATF and ask them what "your friend" should do.

Malm is right, though my I would just call the smith and ask him if he has a manf. license ... and what his did to the SN...

the SN should be visible with the gun outside the wood... call whoever did it and ask him?

jeffe

Some late war actions didn't have serial # on them. The serial # was on the barrel. Are there any markings the top of the reciever ring, if so you can ckeck it out in some of the books.

Rad

Serial numbers weren't required for many years. Lots of old guns floating around that had them removed like outlined above, or never had them at all. On the ATF form the transferer states "no serial number present".

A (now deceased) smith in Minneapolis once told me that when he had a Mauser that had lost it's serial number he just randomly stamped one on himself. He said that even original serial numbers are not traceable to the manufacturer and it made the "atf boys" happy to see that the paperwork was done. His comment: "The serial number on a Mauser is totally worthless, but failure to do the paperwork is a real pain in the arse."

Serial numbers were not required until the passage of the Gun Control Act of 1968. Many American manufacturers, especially with low-price guns, did not routinely use serial numbers until 1968. The same is true of many foreign-produced guns.

You don't say what action your "Mauser" is on, so it could well be that it came from the factory without a serial number. If it was built before 1968 then it is grandfathered and does not need a serial number.