Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Gunsmithing Hardness of an old Mauser action ???

I have an engraved action, imported by Von Lengerke & Antoine, Chicago. (before Detmold) No srial #, but stamped 34 behind the recoil lug. (1934 perhaps) I had the action tested for hardness. 18 rockwell on the C scale. Very soft!
Does anyone know what the original hardness was, and what type steel was used in those days? Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Skip

I was told that the original Mauser's were hardened at diff hardnes at different places on the action to allow flexibility of the action?

Original military mausers were made from plain low carbon steel, case-hardened at the areas subject to wear such as the receiver ring(lugs), extraction cam, etc. IIRC those spots usually tested in the RC 40's. Elsewhere they were left soft as you have seen.

RAN

For military 98's, similar to SAE 1035 per Hatcher. Hardness is critical only in the ring area where the bolt lugs bear on the receiver. Some receivers were completely case hardened and some only in the ring area. Argentine Mausers were said to have been selectively hardened. The one I have was but I don't know if they all were. Hardness testing is an iffy proposition because you can't test where it counts and the softer metal under the thin case can give misleading readings.

A mauser is like a whore, soft all over except in the heart (ie the lug area). I'm sure you have heard the expression "Hard as a whore's heart"

+1, and the '34' is meaningless. If not the last two numbers of the serial#, then merely assembly numbers or possibly an inspector's number.

As always guys, the Campfire rocks! Thanks for the answers.

Skip

If I remember correctly, you don't check Rockwell RC on a case hardened part. Another check is more appropriate.