Guys, please have another look at this rifle.

See Speed's Mauser book and Olson, too:

Except for the smallring action and double set triggers, to me the thing looks spot on like the "Spitzer-Bullet" configuration of the Model C as described by both Olson and Speed. See Speed, pages 110-113, especially 112-113.

No "Waffenfabrik Mauser" markings on the receiver is a good indication of a guild gun, but the description by Speed indicates the guns were cobbled together using a variety of parts, some of DWM manufacture also.

Quote from Speed: "Other variations of this model can be encountered, as no standardization of parts was ever practiced".

Is it possible this fellow has a legitimately very rare pre-WW1 "Spitzer-bullet" rifle built on a transitional smallring action, or even possibly a post-WW1 rifle built on a 98a action?

Or am I just plain all wet on this thing?

BTW, Rick R, very nice shooting!!!