I've had a 16 for 50 years give or take, my dad bought it for me and it was my only shotgun for many years. If your Mauser 98 "bent" it's a great addition to the collection, actually this one started me down the Mauser appreciation road. Just puchased a 12 - I must pick it up soon, then I can tear and compare. My understanding was not that the bolt lugs were "altered in diameter" but the lug recesses were milled away to allow the fatter 12 shell enter the barrel, the smaller 16 retained some of the recess so the front lugs could still get a grip. I could be wrong but doesn't a 98 Mauser in essence have 4 lugs? doesn't one long lug of "sorts" hide behind the extractor? I never felt that safety was a big issue but would be interested in seeing some photos of one that has come apart. --- John Can.
Last edited by John Can.; 02/10/07 11:17 PM.
