I have a Mauser 98 “stalking rifle”. I would like to know where and when it was made and anything else you can tell me or if you can suggest another forum for my questions. It has a nice slim stock of light straight-grained walnut. The caliber is 6.5 x 54 MS (not Kurz) which I can verify because I also have a modern Steyr SBS in that caliber and handload for both without issue.
There are no military markings on this rifle anywhere. I have another sporterized Mauser 98 that is dimensionally identical, but has WWII military markings all over it.
On the left side of the receiver is the serial 38xxx. Above that is a small symbol which might be a crown, followed by a capital N with a crown over it and then 7,5 gr. To the right of the crown is St nG.
On the flange of the barrel, just in front of the receiver ring is stamped 6.5 x 54.
On the right side of the receiver ring, visible above the stock, is a small area of dots and rust pits about 3/16” around. The dots appear uniform and man-made. There is a row of four dots, with a row of three dots above that and then a space, with a single dot at the top.
On the right side of the receiver under the stock is the serial 38xxx.
On the underside of the receiver ring at the front is stamped 2707. That same number is stamped in a recess on the inside of the bottom metal just in front of the magazine box. Does this number perhaps represent July of 1927?
On the flat on the bottom of the receiver, just behind the recoil lug are some mostly faint stampings. There is the number 24 with the number 3 under it. Under that is a row of three symbols, the middle one of which appears to be a hammer. The other two are not recognizable and they are quite small.
On the root of the bolt handle is the letter R with a symbol over it that might be some sort of lamp.
Under the barrel is the serial 38xxx. Below that is something like the letter m with a dot over it, followed by the N with a crown over it (the German nitro powder proof). Below that is what looks like 6.5 7m.
Below that is 54. Below that is 11.38 (the cartridge base diameter in millimeters). Below that is something that looks like a stylized script letter N, and underneath that is the number 413.
In the barrel channel of the stock is stamped 7766.
On the side of the bolt release at the front is what looks like a very tiny y o with a crown over the y.
There is a plain curved steel butt plate with no marks on it.
There is a Lyman 57SME receiver sight and a Lyman 18c front ramp with a number 37 insert and bead. There is no dovetail for a sight on the barrel.
There is a single-pin double-set trigger that appears to have been added later as the stock was somewhat crudely relieved for it on the inside. Otherwise, the inletting is excellent. This trigger works superbly.
The 23.5” barrel has strong rifling but light pitting. The chamber is somewhat tight compared to my other 6.5 x 54 MS. The rifle looks very nice and has not been “messed with”. It is a very good shooter. It appears to have been refinished and reblued at some point.
There are no military markings on this rifle anywhere. I have another sporterized Mauser 98 that is dimensionally identical, but has WWII military markings all over it.
On the left side of the receiver is the serial 38xxx. Above that is a small symbol which might be a crown, followed by a capital N with a crown over it and then 7,5 gr. To the right of the crown is St nG.
On the flange of the barrel, just in front of the receiver ring is stamped 6.5 x 54.
On the right side of the receiver ring, visible above the stock, is a small area of dots and rust pits about 3/16” around. The dots appear uniform and man-made. There is a row of four dots, with a row of three dots above that and then a space, with a single dot at the top.
On the right side of the receiver under the stock is the serial 38xxx.
On the underside of the receiver ring at the front is stamped 2707. That same number is stamped in a recess on the inside of the bottom metal just in front of the magazine box. Does this number perhaps represent July of 1927?
On the flat on the bottom of the receiver, just behind the recoil lug are some mostly faint stampings. There is the number 24 with the number 3 under it. Under that is a row of three symbols, the middle one of which appears to be a hammer. The other two are not recognizable and they are quite small.
On the root of the bolt handle is the letter R with a symbol over it that might be some sort of lamp.
Under the barrel is the serial 38xxx. Below that is something like the letter m with a dot over it, followed by the N with a crown over it (the German nitro powder proof). Below that is what looks like 6.5 7m.
Below that is 54. Below that is 11.38 (the cartridge base diameter in millimeters). Below that is something that looks like a stylized script letter N, and underneath that is the number 413.
In the barrel channel of the stock is stamped 7766.
On the side of the bolt release at the front is what looks like a very tiny y o with a crown over the y.
There is a plain curved steel butt plate with no marks on it.
There is a Lyman 57SME receiver sight and a Lyman 18c front ramp with a number 37 insert and bead. There is no dovetail for a sight on the barrel.
There is a single-pin double-set trigger that appears to have been added later as the stock was somewhat crudely relieved for it on the inside. Otherwise, the inletting is excellent. This trigger works superbly.
The 23.5” barrel has strong rifling but light pitting. The chamber is somewhat tight compared to my other 6.5 x 54 MS. The rifle looks very nice and has not been “messed with”. It is a very good shooter. It appears to have been refinished and reblued at some point.
