Make: Made by Sako for Weatherby (using a Commercial FN Model 50 action and a Sako barrel)
Model: FN Mauser
Serial Number: 13042
Year of Manufacture: Circa 1956-1961 / ATF Classification: C&R
Caliber/Gauge: .270 Weatherby Magnum
Action Type: Bolt action, controlled round feed, hinged floorplate, H type breech
Barrel Length: 24" Sako barrel
Sights/Optics: There are no provisions for iron sights. A Leupold base is mounted atop the receiver. No optic is included.
Grip/Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is one piece checkered wood with a cheekpiece, capped semi-pistol grip, tipped forend, and a ventilated synthetic Weatherby buttpad. The buttpad has no handling wear or signs of dry rot. The furniture shows some minor pressure dings and scratches scattered around. There is some scuffing around the front sling swivel. The action was bedded, some of the bedding compound is visible on the back of the trigger. The LOP measures 13.75" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad. There is a crack in the forend tip. There is a small chip at the back left of the floorplate. The furniture rates in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp with stubborn fouling. There is light erosion at the muzzle end of the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 8.5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 92% of its original metal finish. The finish shows some light rub marks on the receiver, scattered scratches on the barrel, and freckling on the floorplate. The screw heads are unmarred and retain turnable slots. The markings are clear and complete. Overall, this rifle rates in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this firearm. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: Before the Mark V became Weatherby's signature action, Roy Weatherby built his high-velocity sporting rifles around several proven European actions, with the commercial Belgian FN Mauser 98 forming one of the most important foundations of early Weatherby production. During the mid-1950s Weatherby also established a working relationship with Sako in Finland, which performed work on FN Mauser-based Weatherby rifles as the company struggled to meet growing demand. These transitional rifles are an interesting part of Weatherby history, representing the period immediately before the proprietary Mark V supplanted the Mauser-based designs. The .270 Weatherby Magnum was one of Roy Weatherby's original cartridges, introduced in 1945 and embodying his philosophy of obtaining flatter trajectories through greatly increased velocity. This example, serial number 13042, combines a commercial FN Mauser controlled-round-feed action with a 24" Sako barrel and classic Weatherby-style sporting furniture.
This rifle retains about 92% of its original metal finish, with light rub marks on the receiver, scattered scratches on the barrel, and freckling on the floorplate. The checkered wood stock remains in Very Good condition with scattered minor pressure dings and scratches, scuffing around the front sling swivel, a crack in the forend tip, and a small chip at the rear left of the floorplate. The action has also been bedded, with some bedding compound visible behind the trigger. The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling and stubborn fouling, along with light erosion near the muzzle, rating 8.5/10. The action functions correctly, the screw heads remain unmarred and turnable, and the markings are clear and complete. Overall, this early Weatherby FN Mauser rates in Very Good condition as a C&R rifle and represents an interesting transitional Weatherby sporting rifle from the pre-Mark V era. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids!
