First, what I want to do with it. I'm looking to pick up a mauser for future conversion to a custom rifle.

I've heard only good things about the fit and finish of a Persian Mauser. If I'm going to make it into a custom, is it worth the price difference to buy one over say a VZ-24? Will it just save on polishing (I'll be doing it myself, of course) or will I have a better finished project?

Also, what would you expect to pay for a decent Persian?

Thanks in advance for any opions.

I'm sorry I have never seen a Persian so I can't really answer that question. However unless you are going to do all the work yourself you will be money ahead by picking up a commercial 98 like the FN, MKX or one of the new ones.

Ramrod -

Thanks for the advice, but I'm planning on doing all work myself. The newer mausers are okay, but not the point I want to start from. Just something about the old ones that I prefer.

Just start with an old tired clapped out VZ-24.

Persian receivers are almost identical to VZ-24s. The differences are in the crests and writings on the left receiver wall.

The Persians have a large and heavy Farsi script cut into the outside left side of the receiver wall. It would take a lot of effort to file it away it you dont like it's looks.

VZ-24s are marked with the BRNO reference in Latin script ( the alphabet of english).

A Persian in very good condition is not cheap, but a VZ-24 in very good condition is hard to find.

You may want to check out a 1909 Argentine Action. It should have a hinged floorplate so you won't have to replace that if you are using a cartridge that is close in size to the 7.65 argentine, and in fact you can even file it larger to make it fit the 30-06 class of cartridges.

If you find a good one the fit and finish will amaze you.
The crest will not be hard to remove. However, the side lettering is quite deep, and many of the custom jobs I have seen leave the side lettering on.

It will be a bit more expensive than the VZ-24 action, but considering that you get the hinged triggerguard/box it may be worth it to you.

Blue

I personally think the persian is better, pick one up and it just screams quaility, the bolt is really smooth you know right away it has workmenship put into it, I think these are the best mausers ever made. alot of the vz24s right now have pitts in the side of the recievers below the wood line so unless you take the gun apart you will not know. also chances are high these have been messed with by who knows which country's rearsenaling process. Samco is running low on persians, however they do have barreled actions for like $179 if you have a C&R or FFL