98 Mauser Action / Murphy Barrel , Custom Rifle question

[Ballistic Therapy]

A friend of mine has a rifle in 25-06.
He has had it for at least 40 years , and he got it used.
It still looks new.
It has a 98 Mauser action with a heavy varmint barrel. The barrel is marked Murphy's 25-06.
It also has an unmarked adjustable trigger.

My question is about the barrel.
I can't find much information about it.
So does anyone here know anything about Murphy's barrels ?

 

[needsmostuff]

Was the gun sourced in Tucson?
You have of course checked the obvious shop here?

 

[Ballistic Therapy]

I did think of them. I know the old man used to make custom shotguns .
I will ask.

 

[stomp442]

Let the target tell you all you need to know about the barrel.

 

[Ballistic Therapy]

I've shot the gun.
It is definitely accurate.
As a hunting rifle though , It's just too heavy to carry around , and it didn't come with a wheel kit.

 

[Ballistic Therapy]

Well it looks like needsmostuff was on track

I took it to Murphy's.
It is a custom gun they made back in the 80's or 90's.
I talked to the owner and he recognized it immediately .
He said he will talk to the gunsmith that made it and let me know .
So far though. he said it was a match barrel , with a custom trigger group on a Mauser action.
They welded a custom bolt handle on it and customized the safety.

That's all I know as of now.

 

[stomp442]

Well it looks like needsmostuff was on track

I took it to Murphy's.
It is a custom gun they made back in the 80's or 90's.
I talked to the owner and he recognized it immediately .
He said he will talk to the gunsmith that made it and let me know .
So far though. he said it was a match barrel , with a custom trigger group on a Mauser action.
They welded a custom bolt handle on it and customized the safety.

That's all I know as of now.

You got pictures of this rig? My money is on the barrel being a either a Douglas or Shilen. Absolutely nothing wrong wither either one, they both make great barrels and they were the most commonly used back in the day when sporterizing old Mausers. It sounds like this one was done right and when they are these old Mausers can be made into fantastic shooting rifles. It sounds like this particular one was set up as a varminter more so than a carry around hunting rifle.

 

[Ballistic Therapy]

Here it is.
It has a 24" barrel and weighs right at 10-1/4 pounds.
Murphy's did not install the stock or the scope.

 

[Ballistic Therapy]

This is what I found out.
Mauser action.
It is a match barrel.
Murphy's was not sure what barrel maker it is. It could be one of three.
It could be Obermeyer , Shilen or Krieger barrel.
It's a Timney trigger.
Buller safety.
They also welded a different bolt handle on it.
The gun left Murphy's with a wood stock.
He said it is worth , $600 to possibly $1000 , if it was sold locally , and someone knew their reputation back then. More than I imagined.

 

[stomp442]

This is what I found out.
Mauser action.
It is a match barrel.
Murphy's was not sure what barrel maker it is. It could be one of three.
It could be Obermeyer , Shilen or Krieger barrel.
It's a Timney trigger.
Buller safety.
The gun left Murphy's with a wood stock.
He said it is worth , $600 to possibly $1000 , if it was sold locally , and someone knew their reputation back then. More than I imagined.

Very nicely done. Old Mausers have definitely gone up in value over the last few years as they have become more of a collectors item. 10 years ago you could pick up old military Mausers for $200 and get to sporterizing them. What you have there is a reliable dependable rifle that is much more rifle than anything you can buy in todays market at that $400-$600 price point. What are your plans with the rifle? If it were me I would be contacting Richards Microfit for a nice piece of fancy walnut and get that thing looking pretty, then go kill deer with it.

 

[Ballistic Therapy]

It belongs to a friend of mine.
He will never use it , and wants to sell it.

 

[blasternaz]

It belongs to a friend of mine.
He will never use it , and wants to sell it.

As you said, it's to heavy to lug around the woods, but it would be pleasant to sit at a bench and plink with, or sit in a blind with.

 

[stomp442]

I am tempted. I need another project like a hole in the head. I churched up a 98 a few years back and chambered it in 7x57 Ackley. My bro in law decided he just had to have it and I sold it to him after some prolonged pestering.

24" Benchmark sporter with 2 port brake
Timney trigger
Richards walnut stock with mesquite fore end cap
Brownells grip cap and pachmyer pad
Midnight blue cerakote.

 

[Ballistic Therapy]

That is a nice gun.
I do like the stock.

 

[Ballistic Therapy]

Posted for sale in the classifieds.