DWalt
Member
I think the Herter U9 was a BSA action, while the J9 was a Mauser, I think Jugo. The best general reference for specific information about rifle actions is Frank deHaas' excellent book, "Bolt Action Rifles."
List of all guns sold by Montgomery Ward.
- Thread starter model70hunter
- Start date
I think the Herter U9 was a BSA action, while the J9 was a Mauser, I think Jugo. The best general reference for specific information about rifle actions is Frank deHaas' excellent book, "Bolt Action Rifles."
gwpercle
Member
Late 1960's I picked up a neat 1893 (or 94 ) Spanish Mauser 7X57 military surplus carbine, or short rifle, it had a turned down bolt. From Montgomery-Wards. Had the barrel cut to 20 inches and Williams sights installed front and rear , refinished the stock with True-Oil and I hunted with it for years with that military stock and steel butt plate as manufactured.
About 1974 I ordered a full length walnut mannlicher stock from Herter's and restocked it, along with fancy grip cap , recoil pad , and steel barrel cap. ...talk about a project, a few years later I had a Weaver K4 scope mounted. And best of all ....I've still got it !
Thank you Montgomery Wards and Herter's, I miss you both !
Gary
About 1974 I ordered a full length walnut mannlicher stock from Herter's and restocked it, along with fancy grip cap , recoil pad , and steel barrel cap. ...talk about a project, a few years later I had a Weaver K4 scope mounted. And best of all ....I've still got it !
Thank you Montgomery Wards and Herter's, I miss you both !
Gary
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Ward's also did quite a bit of trading. We got this Model 12 Winchester riot gun there in 1954. Everything that could be done to screw up collectability was done to it. Weaver choke, beavertail forearm, checkered butt stock and recoil pad. It was $55.00 with a Boyt sheep lined leather case. I've hunted with it all my life and still have it.
gwpercle
Member
I wish I could.Before and after photos would be nice to share!
We got this new computer and windows something or the other and I can't figure out how to post photo's on it , ain't technology wonderful. I could post them on the old one...but not the new and improved. These things keep getting smarter, the only problem is , I don't. Stuck with a 1949 brain and no upgrade in sight !
I'll see if my wife can help.
Gary
The Western Field (Montgomery Ward) 750A was as far as I remember built on M98 actions. They also marketed a Wards Model 760 Hawthorn (?) on the Mauser 98.
Many were built on commercial FN 98 actions made in Belgium. Those will have side mounted trigger safety generally and the smooth bolt shroud,,but not always. Belgian proofs and markings are under the wood line as are the FN ser#'s. Occasionally you will find a # in the sear channel at the rear of the recv'r. Most use FN bottom metal (magazine and trigger guard) though some US mfg'rs that used the FN actions bought them w/o bottom metal and used an aftermarket 'blind magazine sheet metal assembly to keep the rifle in the bargain price market.
The 750A uses a blind magazine. The JC Higgins Model 55 uses a blind mag on a commercial FN Belgian action.
The Wards 'Hawthorne' 760 used a comercial FN belgian action but with it's Belgian bottom metal.
I don't know who actually put these Wards rifles (with FN commercial actions) together, many say it was Golden State Arms in Cal that did the work.
The work looks a little too good for them IMO. I suspect someone like High Standard perhaps who did supply bbls for many of these Mauser and Sako rifle projects in the 50's thru 70's.
Some of the Western Field 750A rifles were also built on surplus military M98 actions.
These rifles built on the surplus actions are generally agreed upon to have been built by Golden State Arms.
Most if not all military markings were removed. BBl were new mfg and I think were H/Standard make. Marlin also made a lot of bbl for others up to the late 50's. (They bbled and stocked commercial Mauser98's and Sako's as well with their name on them too)
The bbl address will have 'Model 750A EGP' in the legend. The 'EGP' said to be Mont/Wards code for Golden State Arms.,,,Sounds good to me.
From the ones I've seen, these were indeed surplus 98 actions with forged down military bolt handles to allow 'scope use. The clip guide ears ground smooth on the rear ring and the front and rear ring D&Td for Weaver mts.
A low-scope thumb safety installed in place of the 90* military safe and a rebbl to 30-06 though I've been told some in 270 were available.
(The JC Higgins Mauser mentioned above was available in '06 & 270, may confusion from that?).
The 750A EGP set into an inexpensive sporter stock and usually sold w/a cheap import 'scope available for a couple $$ more.
You still see them around both the commercial and military conversion types. Both can be a real steal. Even the military rebbl jobs,,you can't by an action, a bbl and pay someone to fit and chamber it for the price you can usually buy one for. The commercial FN actioned ones,,the action alone is the gem.
Pre-fit and 95% inlet stocks are all over the place for the 98Mauser in all the classic styles and any other type you may want. It's a really inexpensive way to a DIY custom rifle if you have the time and some skill.
