Asking Enfield experts about this rifle. At least I think it is an Enfield. It doesn’t have an external magazine, like the ones I’ve seen on the internet, but the internal one may hold 2 or 3 rounds. It belonged to my mother-in-law’s father who passed about 40 years ago. It hasn’t seen the light of day since. She just gave it to me for my b-day. She said it is a 303 British, but that is about all she knows about is, except it was her father’s favorite deer rifle. I cleaned it up and took a few photos.
Any ideas on the age or other information that may be useful?
Also, exactly how do the numbers work on the rear sight? I know they are to adjust the elevation, but are they metric, or US?

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Not an Enfield. It is a Mauser of some flavor.

Might be a Model 98 1935 Sauer K98k....

http://www.ycgg.org/pdfpages/ww2/Sauer.pdf

Once upon a time that was probably a very interesting rifle. I see Weimar Republic marks and a J. P. Sauer factory code. It is Mauser 98K length but the stock has been replaced/butchered. Are there signs that a sling-slot hole was filled in the butt area of the stock?

Boy, that was quick. Looks like you nailed it, rocketdog. Thanks for the link. Makes me wonder how my wife’s grandfather came to own it.

Yes, there are two wood plug areas on the stock. This photo show the plugs.

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It definitely seems to look like a sportered K98 to me! I'd take it to a smith to make sure it is chambered for .303 British; just to be safe. It could've been rechambered from the 7.92mm x 57mm. But they're very close in dimension; so the .303 might've worked in it as-is, but wouldn't be recommended.

Here is how I suspect your wife's Grandad came by the gun, he picked it up in WWII! He then found it was too long to fit in his duffle bag. So, he did what many GIs did, took the action out and cut the stock near the upper band. Look up "duffle cut" on any milsurp forum. On getting back to the states he either never bothered to put it back together or simply discarded the cut off piece and the handguard, filled the sling-slot and whittle what was left to the shape you see today. It happened to a lot of Mausers in the 1950s and 60s.

US 8mm ammo is fairly anemic, but load it with Norma or other European ammo, and it'll take anything here although I'd not like to use it on the big bears.

Thanks all for your replies. I’m very appreciative & I learned a lot, most importantly, Mauser/Sauer…not Enfield.

After doing a little research, I am thinking about finding a correct stock for it. Any CONUS vendors you are aware of? I found one in the Netherlands, so shipping will most likely be costly.