Custom FN Mauser 98 35 Whelen 24″ Bolt Action Hunting Rifle and Scope
SOLD FOR: $1,025.00
LSB#: LSB260511JS054
Make: FN
Model: 98 Mauser H type
Serial Number: 4420
Year of Manufacture: Modern
Caliber: 35 Whelen
Action Type: Bolt action, centerfire rifle, fed from internal box magazine.
Barrel Length: 24″
Sights / Optics: There is no provision for iron sights. The top of the receiver is drilled and tapped for a scope. There is a Weaver V4.5, 1.5-4.5x scope with post reticle mounted on this rifle. We cannot guarantee optics.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a custom one piece checkered walnut, maple capped forend and pistol grip, straight comb with shadowline cheekpiece, and vented rubber recoil pad. The LOP is 13 1/2″ from trigger to recoil pad. There are light scratches and compression dents throughout. There is a repaired blemish in the grain along the left side of the stock. There are no chips or cracks. Overall this stock is in Good to Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original to custom build
Bore Condition: The bore is bright. The rifling is sharp. There is no erosion. There is some light copper fouling. In this writer’s opinion this bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 95% of its metal finish. There are light scratches and a few corrosion freckles. There is light handling and operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tooled but all are serviceable. The markings are legible. Overall this rifle is in Fair condition due to the lack of a safety. If that issue is addressed this rifle would rate Good to Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly, though the safety is missing. We recommend addressing this issue before firing. This rifle has a Timney trigger installed. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Scope
Our Assessment: The custom FN Mauser 98 is a powerful sporting rifle built on the proven controlled-round-feed Mauser action and chambered in .35 Whelen. This example features a 24″ barrel, internal box magazine, Timney trigger, custom checkered walnut stock with maple accents, and a Weaver V4.5 1.5-4.5x scope with post reticle. Its strong action, substantial chambering, and low-power optic make it a practical configuration for close- to medium-range hunting of large North American game.
The Mauser 98 action is one of the most influential bolt-action designs in firearms history, valued for its strength, large claw extractor, controlled feeding, and dependable operation under difficult conditions. FN produced high-quality commercial Mauser actions in Belgium for custom sporting-rifle construction, and many were later barreled and stocked by individual gunsmiths. The .35 Whelen, developed by necking the .30-06 Springfield case up to .358 caliber, became known as an effective cartridge for elk, moose, bear, and other heavy game without requiring a magnum-length action.
This rifle retains about 95% of its metal finish, with light scratches, minor corrosion freckling, and normal handling and operational wear. The custom walnut stock remains in Good to Very Good condition with scattered light dents and a repaired grain blemish but no chips or cracks, while the bright bore has sharp rifling and rates 9/10 despite light copper fouling. The action and Timney trigger function correctly, but the safety is missing, resulting in a Fair overall condition rating; if corrected, the rifle would rate in Good to Very Good condition. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! MF