receivers of the M89, 90 and 9l Mausers are of the same general size, length and contour as the M93, 94, 95 and 96 Mausers; any scope mount suitable for the latter group can be used on the former.
Receiver sights made for the M98 are correct for the M89, 90 and 91. When mounting a scope low and over the bore, it is necessary to alter the bolt handle to clear the scope. The same procedure is followed as when altering any other bolt handle. I recommend cutting off the original handle and electrically welding on a new one. Maynard Buehler makes a low scope safety for these actions. I don’t know of any practical way to rework the action to make the bolt cock on opening, nor a way to alter the magazine to be flush with the stock. I can only suggest, if you use one of these actions, that you accept these limitations, including the long striker fall. When using the M89 Belgian action fitted with a barrel sleeve, I would discard the jacket. However, you can use the collar from this jacket to cover up the threads on the receiver ring by turning the collar on tightly and dressing it flush with the front end of the receiver. You should be able to purchase a semi-inletted and shaped stock from one of several commercial stock makers.
Takedown and Assembly
To disassemble the Model 89, 90 or 91 Mauser action, proceed as follows: Remove the bolt by swinging the bolt-stop to the left and pulling the bolt to the rear. To remove the firing mechanism from the bolt, pull the cocking piece back slightly with a small tool and unscrew the bolt sleeve form the bolt. Grasp the bolt sleeve firmly in one hand and, resting the firing pin tip on a hard surface, push the bolt sleeve down to compress the mainspring. Then unscrew the cocking piece from the firing pin.
Remove the safety by unscrewing the plug screw in the safety wing. Remove the spring and plunger, then pull out the safety. Reassemble in reverse order.
Remove the extractor by inserting a small screwdriver under the extractor hook, pushing the hook outward, and at the same time prying the extractor forward until the lip on the extractor clears its recess. Reassemble in reverse order.
Remove the magazine by unlocking the forward magazine lock stud and depressing the magazine latch in the trigger guard with a pointed tool. Pull out the magazine. Disassemble the magazine by removing the exposed magazine follower pivot screw, allowing the magazine plate to swing down and remove the follower. Do not attempt to remove the bottom plate entirely—the small hinge pin is riveted in place. To reassemble the magazine, insert the follower and partially insert the follower screw. Swing the bottom plate into place and turn the screw tight.
To remove the receiver, barrel and trigger guard from the stock, first remove the barrel bands, then both guard screws and lift these parts from the wood.
Remove the sear and trigger by driving out their retaining pins. Remove the bolt-stop by driving out its pin. Bolt-stop and ejector springs are held by the bolt-stop spring screw; remove it and drive each spring rearward form the bolt-stop housing. The ejector comes out of the bolt-stop without removing the springs, by pulling it forward.
Remove the magazine latch by driving out the latch pin. Reassemble all of these parts in reverse order. Do not unscrew the barrel from the receiver unless proper tools are available to do this correctly.
Conclusion
Here are some questions I’ve been asked many times about these rifles and actions: How many of the M89, 90 and 91 Mauser rifles were made? Answer: All told, a great many. I don’t have any exact figures, but if the known quantities given in the first part of this chapter are totaled, there must have been over a half-million of the M89s made for Belgium, and about the same number of the M90s and 91s made for Turkey and Argentina combined.
Do you consider these actions as being suitable for cartridges like the 22-250, 243, 6mm, 308, and 358? Answer: No, I do not. These are all modern high-intensity cartridges, and should be restricted to stronger and safer actions. I don’t mean to imply that a Model 91 Argentine action, for example, would blow up if properly barreled in any one of these calibers. However, in case of a serious primer or case head rupture with a high-intensity cartridge, this action does not offer the shooter the same protection from escaping powder gases and brass particles that a safer action like the M98 Mauser would. In other words, the action may be strong enough, but is it safe enough? I know that many gunsmiths do not agree with me on this point, but I prefer to err on the side of safety.
Mauser M91
Dia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .475 ”
General Specifications
Type . . . . . . . . . . .Turnbolt repeater.
Receiver . . . . . . . .One-piece machined steel forging, unslotted bridge. Clip charger guideways in bridge.
Bolt . . . . . . . . . . . .One-piece, dual-opposed forward locking lugs.
Ignition . . . . . . . . .One-piece firing pin, cocking piece and coil mainspring. Cocks on closing bolt.
Magazine . . . . . . . .Single-column detachable box magazine, 5-shot capacity.
Trigger . . . . . . . . . .Non-adjustable double-stage military type.
Safety . . . . . . . . . .Rotary wing-type built into bolt sleeve. 180° swing, left to right, locks both striker and bolt when “up” or at far-right (horizontal) position.
Extractor . . . . . . .One-piece spring type built into bolt head. Extractor rotates with bolt.
Bolt-stop . . . . . . . .Separate, hinged at the left rear of receiver. Stops rearward travel of bolt by contracting left locking lug.
Ejector . . . . . . . . . .Swinging type, positioned in bolt-stop housing.
Is it practicable to build a rifle based on one of these actions? Answer: Yes, as a hobby, if you can fit a low-cost barrel to the action and do all the work yourself. No, if you have to hire most or all of the work done, or do the work yourself and expect to sell the rifle at a profit. It is practicable to sporterize or remodel only if you start with a rifle having an excellent bore and don’t change its present caliber. It might be advisable, too, not to consider one of these rifles in excellent or original condition for any alteration or remodeling. Doing this greatly reduces its value as a collector item. This does not apply if the rifle has already been modified or remodeled.
Mauser— Siamese Mauser FdH
The right side view of the Japanese-made 8mm Siamese Mauser action minus the tangs and sliding breech cover.
IN HIS EXCELLENT book Mauser Bolt Rifles, Ludwig E. Olson describes so many different models, variations and styles of Mauser turnbolt rifles that scanning the index never ceases to amaze and baffle me. Many of these are described in some detail, but the one listed as “8-mm Mauser, Siam,” (on page 126 in my copy of this book) has but one short paragraph, another short note about the 8mm rimmed cartridge it fired, and that’s
