Gun Identification

[quadrafire]

That looks like a Mauser action to me. I'll bet it is a custom gun that has been rechambered. It was likely a 8 x 57mm in a former life. 

Nice rifle, I like it

[quacksmoker]

There is a good chance that this is a custom gun form the 60's or 70's. So are we thinking a Mauser action, rechambered in to a 7mm in a Browing stock?

[Fowlweather25]

That is definitely a mauser action.

[724wd]

that's a commercial bolt shroud.  never had a bolt safety.  the other clue to it being non-military is the solid bottom to the cocking piece.  military guns has a step in the cocking piece. 

same bottom metal as the browning.  My guess is FN action.  tons of these were imported by different manufactures.  hard to pinpoint who.

i assume there is no thumbcut on the left hand side.  can you take a pic of that side of the action?  NO markings there?  FN was pretty proud of their stuff and there's usually a circled FN over there.

no matter what, that's a great gun!

[quacksmoker]

Here are some more pictures of the gun. There is a crown on the bolt handle. I removed the bolt action from the stock and there are no other markings anywhere. Not under the safety or in the magazine.  A few more pictures.
 

[lokidog]

At least they put what caliber it was on it.     Nice looking gun.   The design on the nut on the left side of the stock might be distinctive to a manufacturer?

[724wd]

wow!  someone polished the crap out of that!     i'd bet there were markings at one point.  and i've only seen that bolt release on brownings. 

[marty]

Browning safari! My dad has one in a .300 mag awsome gun heavy as all get out.

[quacksmoker]

Browning safari! My dad has one in a .300 mag awsome gun heavy as all get out.

That was my original thought, but this gun never had sights on it and all the Safari's i've seen had them. Also, the serial number doest list with any Browning serial numbers i've come across.

[724wd]

you'd never know my Safari had sights on it, either.  original barrel with the holes deftly filled.   

as to the serial number, well, can't say for certain it's browning, but that bolt release is a tell.

[quacksmoker]

you'd never know my Safari had sights on it, either.  original barrel with the holes deftly filled.   

as to the serial number, well, can't say for certain it's browning, but that bolt release is a tell.

This appears to be the consensus, Browning Safari, Grade II. During the early 60's, the Browning serial number system went a bit haywire, and this is likely why I can't find the SN listed anywhere. It do not believe it has the saltwood stock.  With a few minor exceptions, the wood appears to be in pretty good condition.

Would refinishing the stock negatively affect the value. What is the general value of the gun?

[krism83]

That looks like a Mauser action to me. I'll bet it is a custom gun that has been rechambered. It was likely a 8 x 57mm in a former life. 

Nice rifle, I like it

That is what I was thinking, My old man has an old Mauser 8mm rechambered to 7mm Rem Mag...Fun to shoot, loud as all get out, and heavy to pack through the woods all day.

[quacksmoker]

Called Browning and talked to their "Old Rifle Expert." He said the gun is a Browning European Mauser imported from 1950-1958. He said very few were imported. They have no record of their SN's. These models preceeded the Olympic, Medallion, and Safari grades.

[quadrafire]

Called Browning and talked to their "Old Rifle Expert." He said the gun is a Browning European Mauser imported from 1950-1958. He said very few were imported. They have no record of their SN's. These models preceeded the Olympic, Medallion, and Safari grades.

Interesting. Thanks for the update

was he an Old, Rifle Expert, or an Old Rifle, Expert?   

[krism83]

Perhaps he was an old, old rifle, expert...that has to many commas in it I think.