Chuck:
Browse some of the military Mauser sites to get an opinion on Mitchell's Mausers. Don't dare ask the question yourself without an asbestos suit on...that's your hint that people don't think too kindly of them. If I remember correctly, these are actually Yugo M48's and not German 98's; in any case they are refinished.

My personal choice for a military Mauser action to start a build would be the Standard Modell, also known as the Banner Modell or the Standard Modell of 1934. They have a large Mauser logo on the front ring and received commercial-type polish and blue. Depending on rifle or carbine, the bolt handle will be straight out or already bent.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=126106883

http://www.collectorsfirearms.com/admin/product_details.php?itemID=27958

http://www.collectorsfirearms.com/admin/product_details.php?itemID=25155

You might guess I've considered this route in the past...