Identifying a Mauser action

Q: I have a German Model 98 Mauser in 7.92x57mm and want to know if the action is safe to build a sporter on.

On the underside of the barrel are the numbers 7.91. On top of the receiver ring is the symbol S/42 and just behind it the number 1937.

If 1937 is the year of manufacture, then what does S/42 indicate?

Can this action be safely rebarrelled to 7mm Rem Mag? The rifle is in excellent condition with all matching part numbers.

Jack Metcalfe

A: Your rifle sounds like a good one for a custom build. The 1937 refers to the year of manufacture; S/42 is a German military code and refers to the Mauser Werke plant at Oberndorf.

Your action may be rebarrelled to almost any standard-length cartridge including the 7mm Rem Mag.

The action is basically strong enough to handle even the .375 H&H, but would require many action alterations for so long a cartridge.

Mausers made prior to 1942 are generally of higher quality than later ones. Yours is a good action.