Foster,

We have used many pre Oberndorf WWI actions and with careful treatment we have never encountered a problem.
We don’t consider commercial Original Oberndorf Mauser actions to be superior to those made by DWM for Brazilian 1908, Argentinian 1909 or to the Mauser "Standard Modell" made in Oberndorf that are of outstanding quality.
CZ models 24 made by Ceska Zbojovka and especially G33/40 are exceptionally good, as well as the superb Gewher actions made before WWI.
In fact the action remains a starting basis that has to be carefully blue printed.
The receiver must be watchfully checked to make sure a hazardous barrel take apart hasn’t warped it, all surfaces must be rectified and squared, threading has to been cleaned or recut and the bolt lug must be perfectly squared and lapped. It's very important to maintain a perfect lug sit and minimum headspace before going to proper thermal treatment.
We prefer surface cyanide hardening that left a flexible core with a very hard external and a true bone and charcoal "old way" color case hardening gives the same result, if well done.
Indeed an Intermediate action requires a medium length cartridge, as it would be nonsense to open it to standard length; however that left a great choice…!

DORLEAC
www.dorleac-dorleac.com