put simply, NO. Its a springfield. Take care of it cause there are some going for 1k and they are not any thing special just in good condition. that is all.

I have a Swedish Mauser in 6.5x55. Its been sporterized by some hill billy with a cut down 18" barrel and they cut down the stock. Bolt and reciever were modified to accept a scope.
I take it out and wonder what I can do with it every once in a while. But after looking over the options I really don't want to spend on it.

For 300-500 dollars you could buy a decent rifle in any cal. you could want. some of them come with a scope, those being redhead (aka Bass Pro's *always save* brand) but they will work fine for shooting deer and dumb hogs.

Why don't you just make him an offer to show just how collectible they are.....

There is this forum called "Surplusrifleforum" you might want to check it out. All they talk is Surplus military rifles over there.

Before you sporterize your WW II firearms, you may want to have them looked at by a reputable dealer. You may own a rare piece that is worth more to a collector in it's original condition. If it is in good condition and a collector, you may get a bundle selling it and you can purchase a new, modern rifle of your choice.

That's gotta be one of the nicest sportarized Mauser I've seen. Really nice rifle. How good dose it shoot

This is a 5-shot group at 100 yards from a rest. I'm guessing the four are in about a .650 circle and the fifth is a called error by the operator.....I knew I moved it when I fired.....

Velocity at 2,700 FPS give/take and 59 grains RL-15 over CCI LR primer.

I also fitted it with an unique cocobolo forendtip just for grins and giggles.....different isn't always good...no one likes it!

Vapodog,
I'm a sucker for anything Mauser, and your Whelen is a real sweet rig. You must just ooze pride when you clean it, shoot it, and generally admire your piece. Really nice job. My grandad made a living sporterizing military rifles, mostly Mausers 98's and Swede Mauser 96's and 38's. He'd be quite tickled with your Mauser. It's a beauty.

Then you'll like this one as well:












It has a real treat being added as well.....scope mounts directly from Schultz and Larsen presented to me by Jorgen, the owner of S&L, when he was here from Denmark visiting my shop. To my knowlege these are the only S&L scope mounts in the United States....but they are not shown in this photo.

Bottom metal is from 1909 Argentine and the action is a VZ-24.

As has been already said, if you have unaltered military arms, keep them intact, as they will be worth more that way. There is nothing wrong with acquiring a surplus action that has already been partially butchered or salvaged and converting it into a useful sporting arm, but be advised, it will take much work, some machining talent, and will cost you, although the cost can be spread out over time. The last one I did involved a mauser barrelled action (mostly complete) that had no stock. After altering the bolt knob, safety, trigger, re-barrelling and stocking it, I have a nice 22-250 that will drive tacks. I also have about $550.00 into it and about 80 hours of labor. As this is a hobby, I find it fun and relaxing, and as I have the machine tools to do the work, I don't have to farm it out. But if you examine it in the cold light of reality, I could certainly have bought a commercial gun for about the same, or less if used, and in a lot less time.

Vapodog,
You really know how to hurt a guy :s4:.
You are correct sir, I do really, really like that Mauser in 9.3. A classic Mauser sporter in a classic round. Is that a 3 position Winchester wing safety? I'm a sucker for anything Mauser, as I said, and am also a sucker for 3 position safeties. I just got used to the military safeties when i was a kid shooting my rifles in military configuration, and became quite comfortable knowing I could lock the bolt and trigger, then unlock the bolt to cycle rounds safely, and then of course go red.

Someday I will acquire or build something so beautiful, but for now I'll keep saving and planning.

That is a rifleman's rifle sir. (slobber, slobber)