I picked up my new project gun today. Its an old Model 93 Mauser that has been sporterized. I did some research before I bought it and I found some online pictures of a few Model 93's that look just like this one, apparently they were cut down, given turn down bolts and decent front sights that can be adjusted for windage. The barrels were all cut down to 21 inches, which this one is and recrowned, which this one has been. Apparently they sold for $16.50 back in 1964 and some stores like Montgomery Wards and Sears had them as well as mail order shops. The caliber is still 7 x 57mm, and the barrel is in pretty nice shape. The action is very smooth and everything works. The only thing is the stock, its hideous with those inlays and who ever cut it down took off more wood than they should have. The buttplate doesn't fit quite right so I am thinking I might get a fiberglass stock for it. I probably will keep the sights since this is going to be a backwoods gun and hunting here is 100 yards at best, I might add a receiver sight as long as it doesn't interfere with the stripper clips. Still not a bad little gun overall, I will take my time tinkering with it.

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Vaya con Dios

I think its pretty neat. Not so sure about the fiberglass stock though. A fine old rifle like that deserves a nice wooden stock. A semi inletted stock made of plain walnut should be available for little, if any, more than the glass stock and would be something that you could finish to your idea of perfection. IMO the 7x57 Mauser cartridge is a classic capable of fine accuracy and able to kill any game animal in the continental United States. Whatever route you choose in refitting your rifle, I am sure that you will enjoy many evenings and weekends of pleasure.

Charlie

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SWCA # 2294

7x57 has been a favorite of mine for over 25 years. In the 2 gun safari idea, I would go any where in the world with a 7x57 and a 375 H&H. Your current sights are set up for 175 gr RN bullets or less likely, 139 gr spitzers. If you're resighting the gun anyway, you'll have lots of choices. I recomend the Rigby 275 loading of a 154gr semi-spitzer SP. I bought several boxes of Norma in this load, and WOW. John Rigby III changed the companies load after WWII to the semi-spitzer from his father's load of the 154spitzer boat tail SP, when the younger survived a 8x57 SBT-FMJ shoot to his head. The German round entered his helmet right above his nose, followed between the helmet and liner and exited off center in the rear. Apon returning to the family business after the war, he changed the bullet shape so it would penitrate bone instead of deflect. I've used Fereral Premium 7mm Mauser and it is very accurate and great expantion but the the Norma has a lot more umph! The Norma was about 8" flatter at 100yds out of my 22" Ruger No.1, yes and more recoil, but 8" flater with a lower BC bullet. In his book "Maneaters of India" Jim Corben, writes of killing a man eating tiger at 400 yards acrosss a valley in one shot, That was the first kill with the Rigby 275 that he carried for the rest of his life. Restock and resight that rifle, find the load you like and you'll be one happy camper! Ivan

I too would go with a walnut stock for this rifle.

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Luke 22:36

Good project,,I'd go with a wood stock too,but it's all personal taste of course.

Most any wooden stock will be cut w/a simple 1/2inch bbl cut out, left for the owner to finish to the bbl shape they have.
Some offer the MilSpec cut, that makes things easier when you have it that way.
Some are cut to standard sporter configurations tahta the bbl maker industry uses.

They are available from anywhere from about $70 and up. Boyds even has a laminate(?) in a conservative shape for that price.
Boyds Gunstock Industries Inc., Firearms cross reference guide
A laminate anything isn't up my alley,,but it shows whats out there

Brownells sells some other suppliers Small Rings stocks both finished and 95% in plain walnut. I don't believe the carry a M93, but they did have M95 and M94 last I knew.
Check the guard screw spacing on the Small Rings Mauser models, they may match between models though there may be small differences in tang widths.

Once you restock it, you're going to be tempted to restyle the bolt handle,,replace the sights, add sling swivels, perhaps a rust blue.

All very much a fun project. Though everyone will tell you that the rifle is not worth the time and money,,it's your rifle, time and money.
So you do as you please and what pleases you.