That rifle looks very similar to the Mauser actioned JC Higgins rifles
that were sold back then. The action looks to be the early version of
the commercial FN action known as the "Deluxe". It is not a military
action. A later version of the FN action known as the "Supreme" had
a side safety and an adjustable Sako trigger. The action should have
small FN proof marks on it somewhere if you look close and may have
50 stamped on it as well in small numbers to designate Model 50 or
1950. If it's FN, and I believe it is, it's a very desirable action. Very
early commercial FN actions from the late 40s were converted military
actions and the give-away is the thumb slot in the left receiver wall.
Commercial actions have a solid left wall with no thumb cut. As far as
accuracy goes the proof is in the shooting. The scope would add very
little value but might be very usable. The Higgins marked rifles are
more common and are often seen on GB and sell for well above $300.
If you can find any marking that verifies that it's an FN action the
rifle is cheap at $300 and you would have no trouble getting more
than that for it on GB should you decide later that you don't want it.
Grab it before someone else does.
Alwslate just said all I was going to say. I've owned the Sears FN mauser actioned guns, very nice, it morphed into the FN house brand, Browning.
It appears to be the FN commercial version. I had a friend who bought every Sears or High Standard FN gun he could. He had premium barrels installed in neat calibers, like the 338-06, 35 Whelan, 458 2.5" and others.
If a commercial FN action it is very desirable. There is one difference between the prewar actions and post war actions. There was a probable cost savings change in the action machining for the lugs. Don't remember exactly, a blind cut changed to a straight thru cut? A Mauser purist might update it but that change does not hurt nor defalue a post war action.
I've built 4 custom guns on post war mauser Actions, one was a 416 remington mag. It held up very well. I am not recoil sensitive but I would not wanted to have shot it 20 times from the bench....
And under $300 is a steal of a deal.
I will post a link to all Montgomery Ward's gun models in a separate post.
Your model 750 A lists Mauser as the manufacturer. Either Mauser or FN is nice.
Also for you Sako lovers Montgomery ward sold Westernfield rifles that were a Sako actioned gun.
