32 Years ago! (I was 19 yrs old) when I walked out of a Boise, ID gun show with a $115 Sporterized "Spanish" Mauser chambered in .308, I took it to the local gunsmith who outfitted it with a safety kit, drilled and tapped the receiver for a scope, and modified the Bolt. It wasn't until just a few weeks ago. I found out the issues that people were having with the Small ring Modified Spanish Mausers in .308!
That was my only rifle for much of that 30+ years. I shot everything from Mule and whitetail deer, antelope Black bear Jack rabbits and coyotes with it. I put a thousand (+) rounds through it. Mostly I shot Factory ammo (it was partial to 150Gr Winchester SP) However there was a time I had put 200 rnds of "Hot" loads through it (Loaded for me by a friend to shoot Elk with), all being said it has been a trusted rifle.
I never had any reason to think it may be unsafe until I was chatting with an old Gunsmith buddy and happened to mention possibly upgrading the stock on my trusted Mauser. He about Blew a gasket when I told him what I had! He made me swear to never shoot it again! So I started researching the issues (got to Love the internet).
I thought the research on my particular Action would be easy, but what I found was perplexing... My Mauser was stamped "Fabrique De Armas Oviedo 1xx4" (the tapped scope mount hole is in the middle of the date) with a seral number of 2419 Which tells me it was made in Spain in (1894,1904, 1914, etc.) but it looks different than any of the Spanish Mausers I was able to find
1st: it didn't have a Thumb groove in the receiver.
2nd. it doesn't have the stripper clip guide.
3rd. there is no gas port on the receiver.
Any Help in Identifying this receiver would be appreciated.
FYI...
I have had the Head spacing checked and it is good with no creep, I also inspected the locking lugs for signs of dimpling or wear and they look really clean and there is no "ridging" in the Lug recess either. a few years ago ( while living in VA) I was having rust issues and since I was owed some shop time by another gunsmith so I had him Cere cote the rifle. I could have done a better job with a rattle can of krylon!!! so some areas were wire brushed to remove the coating so that I could see the markings. once I have a new plan for the receiver I will have it refinished by a Competent Professional.
That was my only rifle for much of that 30+ years. I shot everything from Mule and whitetail deer, antelope Black bear Jack rabbits and coyotes with it. I put a thousand (+) rounds through it. Mostly I shot Factory ammo (it was partial to 150Gr Winchester SP) However there was a time I had put 200 rnds of "Hot" loads through it (Loaded for me by a friend to shoot Elk with), all being said it has been a trusted rifle.
I never had any reason to think it may be unsafe until I was chatting with an old Gunsmith buddy and happened to mention possibly upgrading the stock on my trusted Mauser. He about Blew a gasket when I told him what I had! He made me swear to never shoot it again! So I started researching the issues (got to Love the internet).
I thought the research on my particular Action would be easy, but what I found was perplexing... My Mauser was stamped "Fabrique De Armas Oviedo 1xx4" (the tapped scope mount hole is in the middle of the date) with a seral number of 2419 Which tells me it was made in Spain in (1894,1904, 1914, etc.) but it looks different than any of the Spanish Mausers I was able to find
1st: it didn't have a Thumb groove in the receiver.
2nd. it doesn't have the stripper clip guide.
3rd. there is no gas port on the receiver.
Any Help in Identifying this receiver would be appreciated.
FYI...
I have had the Head spacing checked and it is good with no creep, I also inspected the locking lugs for signs of dimpling or wear and they look really clean and there is no "ridging" in the Lug recess either. a few years ago ( while living in VA) I was having rust issues and since I was owed some shop time by another gunsmith so I had him Cere cote the rifle. I could have done a better job with a rattle can of krylon!!! so some areas were wire brushed to remove the coating so that I could see the markings. once I have a new plan for the receiver I will have it refinished by a Competent Professional.