Sporterized Mauser 35 Whelen 24″ Bolt Action Rifle MFD 1920s-1930s
SOLD FOR: $1,025.00
LSB#: LSB250512SG117
Make: Mauser (Sporterized Military Action)
Model: Custom Sporterized Rifle
Serial Number: 2706M3
Year of Manufacture: Circa 1920s–1930s (Action), Sporterized post-war. Not C&R due to non-original configuration.
Caliber: .35 Whelen
Action Type: Bolt Action Rifle Fed by Internal Magazine
Barrel Length: 24”
Sights / Optics: There are no iron sight on this rifle. The top of the receiver is mounted with a Redfield 2X-7X scope. The reticle is a duplex crosshair with elevation markings. The sight picture is clear.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is in a 1 piece wood configuration featuring a raised comb, rubber buttpad, semi pistol grip and smooth forend. The LOP is 14” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad. There are light handling marks present. The stock rates in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished During Sporterization
Bore Condition: The bore is bright, the rifling is sharp. There is no visible erosion in the bore but there is stubborn fouling throughout. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 8.5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its current metal finish. The balance of the finish shows light operational wear. The screw heads are lightly tooled with serviceable slots. The pins are clean. The markings are partially legible due to refinishing. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. 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: This is a nicely done sporterized Mauser based on an early military action, now chambered in the powerful and versatile .35 Whelen. Developed by James Howe and Colonel Townsend Whelen, the cartridge was designed to bring .30-06 Springfield-based cases up to .35 caliber for serious North American big game performance. The action, likely German or Czech in origin, dates to the interwar period and has been extensively modified for civilian sporting use.
The classic military Mauser action is renowned for its strength and reliability, and this rifle retains that legacy while offering modern usability in the form of upgraded iron sights, a custom stock, and a sleek hunting profile. The bore condition is excellent, and the trigger feels crisp, making this a practical choice for woods hunting or as a brush gun in bear country.
While it no longer qualifies as a C&R firearm due to its sporterized state, this rifle is still a historically rich, highly functional piece. It’s perfect for a hunter who appreciates the lineage of old-world craftsmanship mated to 20th-century American ingenuity. Please see our high quality photos and good luck on your bid! – M.C.
