I recently inherited this gun and I’m not quite sure what brand/model it is. The only numerical marking is on the underside of the bolt handle. Based on my preliminary research, I think it is a Browning, but there are no other markings on the gun besides the caliber (7mm Rem Mag). Any help would be appreciated.

ttt

I recieved some input on another forum and and it was thought to be a Husqvarna or a Firearms International on a Finnish action.

At first glance it certinly does look like a Browning but I would think the barrel would be stamped Browing if it was. Could have been rebarrled though.

[censored] on opening or closing?

Calibre?

It's a 7mm. I can barely make out a crown on the bolt suggesting it is a husqvarna, but it doesn't have the typical markings an the stock appears to be different. Maybe a husqvarna barrel/action on a Browning stock?

That would be a rifle, bolt action matter of fact. Glad I could clear that up for you.

Thank god you are here to clear things up for me. I really appreciate it.

No doubt, the rifle is built on a commercial Mauser 98 action. It could be a Husqvarna, but the receiver should be clearly marked as so on the top. If there are no markings on the receiver that you can see, then remove the barreled action from the stock and look for markings on the side of the tang or even the magazine. Many commercial Mausers made in Spain were marked on the underside.

From the looks of the safety button, I think the gun is built on a Santa Barbara action. It should say SPAIN on the side of the tang, and the serial number should begin with "Z" (all hidden under the wood). Centurian and Parker-Hale once used this action for building commercial rifles, but many Santa Barbara actions were used by private gunsmiths to build sporter rifles back in the 60's.

It could also be a FN or Zastava receiver, but both of these should be clearly marked Belgium or Zastava somewhere on the top.

I think if you pull the stock off the rifle and look carefully underneath, you'll find the clues to your mystery.

I pulled the barreled action from the stock last night and didn't see any markings other than the serial number. I'll pull it again this evening and look again. Thanks for the info!

The stock is definitely a Browning. I agree with dawaba on the action: it looks like a Santa Barabara or a Zastava with no markings. The action looks 100% like a Zastava my friend owns. The bolt handle is exactly the same and the shroud too.

Just my 2 cents....

Action and safety look identical to my old Parker-Hale 30-06.

.....which used a Spanish-made Santa Barbara action.

Here are some more pictures of the gun. There is a crown on the bolt handle. I removed the bolt action from the stock and there are no other markings anywhere. Not under the safety or in the magazine. I am attaching a few more pictures.

Does the serial number begin with the letter Z? This would confirm the action as a Spanish Santa Barbara. The Spaniards often placed no other markings save the serial number on their actions.

Nope, the SN is 14429, no letters.

Maybe a Browning Safari with the FN action, circa 1960's?

Well, the mystery continues. I would do one last thing.

Remove the front scope base from the receiver. Look for any markings hidden there on the receiver ring. If there are none, you still likely have a commercial Mauser 98 action made in Spain (again, look carefully on the SIDE of the tang for the word, SPAIN).

The shape of the safety button, with its double hump, was the style produced by Santa Barbara of La Coruna, Spain. Many, many of these actions were imported and used for building rifles by Parker-Hale and Fajen and others, but most were bought by small-time gunsmiths who built one-of-a-kind rifles for their customers.

Frankly, I doubt if your gun is extremely valuable, but the engraving on the floorplate appears to be lovingly executed by a patient man who is likely long gone to his reward. The nostalgia value of the inherited heirloom would make me want to keep it, use it, and pass it own to the next generation.

Maybe a Browning Safari with the FN action, circa 1960's?

Correct, one that has been rebarreled. The engraving makes it a grade II. FN action. Did the barrel show any rust, some of these guns had stocks made from wood with a lot of salt content.
I have several, the Browing name and Belgium stamp is on the barrel. Also the recoil pad has been added , these guns came with a hard buttplate with Browning in raised letters.

Called Browning and they put me in touch with their Historical Rifle guy. The rifle is a Browning European Mauser, imported between 1951-1958. These guns preceeded the Olympic, Safari, and medallion grade rifles. Not many were imported. No mrecord of their serial numbers.

That is a FN 98 action.