A 'gunsmith' has installed a G&H base on my mod98, but has not fitted the slide to the base. I have only Brownell dovetail files and triangular ceramic stones. Can anybody help inform me as to how to proceed. I would be very appreciative.

Usually these setups are fitted to one another when new, and BTW they DON'T interchange very well. Apparently both G&H and Jaeger side mounts had varying dimensions in their dovetails and so initial fitting would almost require a selection of many bases and mounts in order to achieve good matches.

I base this opinion on experience with both brands, and it's also my opinion that the source for both brands is a single manufactory in Europe somewhere. JMOFWIW.

Anyway, if your male base dovetail is too large for the female mount dovetail, then all you have to do is take a little material off the flat top of the male part, just barely enough to permit a sliding fit into the female part.

If, OTOH, the parts are somewhat loose, then I'm afraid you're SOL unless you know someone who can weld VERY well indeed.

Your 'gunsmith' should have ensured a good fit BEFORE installing the base, but you appear to know that already....anyway, good luck!
Regards, Joe

Joe
Thank you for your thoughtful response. The male base is too large and I will follow your advice and take a trifle off the top.
dave

Additional info FWIW:

I bought the remaining inventory of Jaeger side mounts after one of Dunn's reorganizations, including 8 mounts/slides and 14 base plates. Some of the base plates had been machined for the rifle's receiver and blued while others remained unmachined and unblued, and still others had apparently been left with the base dovetail quite a bit oversize. In addition I had 2 other Jaeger mounts and one G&H.

None of the 11 slides' female dovetails matched any of the others. None.

I DID manage to eventually match a proper base plate to all the slides, and even found 2 base plates that would match the same slide in one instance. But ONLY one instance.

The rings, base plates and almost all screws will interchange between G&H and Jaeger side mounts with only very minor fitting required in a very few instances.

I have a few, a very few, parts and a couple of mounts left. Obviously I like 'em.
Regards, Joe

Joe
I have used Jaeger mounts since Paul Jaeger was in Jenkinstown, PA and I lived in Lancaster county, PA. I much admired his work and thought Dietrich Appel was a fitting and suitable successor of Paul. I have but one Jaeger mount left and can not decide where to use it, so it may well be a part of my meagre estate. I think you demonstrated remarkable foresight in purchasing the mounts. I personally have preferred them to G&H, but my granddaughter and her husband had a different choice.
I would like to report that I have fitted the two parts for the two rifles. Once again, thank you Joe.
dave