Question about importance of matching #s on Mauser action

[Smokey]

I've been looking at a few sporterized Mausers, some of which have all numberd matching and some that don't.  One I like has all numbers matching EXCEPT the bolt.  How important is it for the bolt to match the receiver?  How important is it for ALL the numbers to match?

I'm kinda in a hurry to get some advice on this...Thanks!

[Double D]

Sportrized mausers matching mumbers are unimportant.  If the bolt number doesn't match, I would have a compentent Gunsmith check the headspace if you were concerned that the bolt was swapped after the rifle was sporterized.


Collectors of unaltered Mausers look for and want all matching numbers.

There's the hurry up answer for you.

[gunnut69]

I always check the headspace on a new rifle.   If you don't you are in effect trusting ALL the people how've used or worked on the rifle..  That is a LOT of trust...  Otherwise DoubleD was correct.  Even military mausers sometimes have mismatching bolts.  If the headspace is OK, then there is no problem.  Of course the 'collector' value is reduced.  On a customized weapon, that value is non-existant.