I have decided to put together my first rifle based upon a military 98 Mauser so I have been searching for an action. It will probably be a 7x57. I have found at a pawn shop one that appears to be of pretty high quality. Here's what it says: Receiver ring: "Mauser Modelo Argentino 1909", left side of receiver: "Deutsche Waffen-Und Munitionsfabriken Berlin". The serial(?) number is B-4XXX and is stamped on the action, bolt, floorplate (hinged?) and barrel. The stock has a different serial number (D-6XXX). It appears in excellent shape overall, the receiver appears to be cold blued. I can get it for $125. Should I?

if all you're going to do is strip the gun for the action (ie, toss the barrel, stock, trigger) it's not a bad deal...on the other hand, assuming that the gun is in ideal shape it's pretty nice as it is as well.

------------------
"Laws are like sausages, it's better not to see either being made"--Otto Von Bismark

When in doubt, do a nuclear strike.

1909's are excellent actions, and $125 sounds like a good price.

If it has a blued receiver then it is not original. All of these guns came with receivers"in-the-white". Determine what chambering it is. Originals were 7.65x53mm
Mauser. Many specimens were rechambered to .30-06. If yours is in its original calibre and is in excellent condition as a military rifle, I would polish the cold blue off the receiver and restore it to original.
Guns like this are worth nearly $300. Now, if its a .30-06, you could re-barrel to 7x57 and have a real sweet rifle. I did this 7 years ago with an Argentine carbine that had a shot-out barrel. I purchased a "new surplus" 7x57 barrel from Numrich Arms for about $35.00. It was made by DWM and was 19 1/2 inches long. I had my "smith" install the barrel, steps and all, forge the bolt and drill and tap for scope mounts. He topped it of with a black parkerized finish. I installed a low scope safety and fitted it to a fully finished monte-carlo stock I bought from Century. It gives me MOA accuracy all day long with handloads. My favorite is 40 grains of IMR 4320 behind a Hornady 139 grain SP. This gives me tight groups, mild recoil and low muzzle blast. Velocity is 2,600 fps. Its great ou to about 250 yards.

Its a great action and one of the best for Custom Rifles if it hasn't been ground all to hell or fiddled with by a dink. that bluing scares me, so I would suggest having a good smith look it over and advise you...the price is OK for a good one without any pits etc, but check under the wood for pits.

------------------
Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com