[ewfaulk]

I am refurbing a 1924 Spanish Mauser and notice the safety will not engage. I do not see anything worn or missing. The cocking piece does not come back far enough. It needs about 1/8 inch more. The bolt serial number does not match the receiver number. Yes it was like that before disassembly. I took some pics . You can see in the last pic that there is no gap for the lever to go into. If you can help I would appreciate it.

http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/ewfaulk/?action=view&current=100_1309.jpg
http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/ewfaulk/?action=view&current=100_1310.jpg
http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/ewfaulk/?action=view&current=100_1311.jpg
http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/ewfaulk/?action=view&current=100_1312.jpg
http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/ewfaulk/?action=view&current=100_1314.jpg

 

[Vaarok]

This is what I hate about the Mauser design. Firing pins, cocking pieces, and safeties all have fine tolerances, and unless you've got a good supply of spare bits to test-fit and swap around pieces, you have no guarantee of standardized parts actually working propertly.

You can file some things, I think, to make up the difference, but really it's just a consequence of rebuilding. I have had it happen several times with '98 bolts.

 

[ewfaulk]

I was going to file it, but I wanted to get some opinions here first before I go altering parts.

 

[bernd]

Don't go hogwild with a file before you've found the cause of the problem. You will do more harm than anything and your rifle will probably be unsafe afterwards.
The problem you describe (not being able to put the safety on after cocking/cycling the bolt) is most likely because the cocking piece moves too far forward when you close the bolt and the cam at the bottom of the safety can't engage the front edge of the cocking piece. In an unaltered action the trigger/sear keeps the cocking piece from moving too far forward when cocking the rifle and positions the forward edge of it in exactly the right place so that the safety can engage it when rotated. You should check if someone filed down the sear or the forward edge of the cocking piece and thereby altered the positioning of the cocking piece when is being held back by the sear. Excessive wear can also create a similar condition.
Filing down any surfaces will only add to the problem. What you need is either a new (unaltered or not worn out) cocking piece or sear that will move the cocking piece further out and allow you to set the safety.

 

[ewfaulk]

I dont have a sear or cocking piece to compare with. If someone could post pics of these pieces that were not worn out, then I could compare them. Don't get me wrong, I am all for fixing it right. This is why I am asking at the best place for info, Gunboards.com.