it appears to be a custom build off a model 98 (so large ring & std length action) reusing some Imperial ers military marked parts. bolt handle is modified, barrel has been replaced or has some mods: part of the original contour removed at the rear & dovetail cut for the sport rear sight, the front sight looks like a military type but earlier than K98k, sling mount soldered/screwed to barrel. It appears that the typical spot on the barrel shoulder where the ‘7.9’ is typically marked has been ground to remove something. Have you confirmed the caliber? It might not still be 8x57 IS (= 8mm Mauser) What is the current barrel length? (close bolt, place cleaning rod down muzzle, til it stops against bolt, mark & measure) The style of the work suggests to me a post war US job, but it could be European work. The tiny stamps under the barrel & receiver may tell more. By the location of the metal disc on the butt, it isn’t a German wartime stock, more likely a South American contract rifle or other solid wood stock without a sling slot & takedown disc. The disc of this style was often unit marked.
pic 5/15: top of receiver - hard to say what’s going on there. A ‘recycled’ receiver might have its original marks ground off, but all those random peck marks? Kid got loose w/hammer & punch? Senior w/issues banging on it w/screwdriver?
The safety: It has been deliberately removed (I believe) when the rifle was made/converted to a double set trigger ‘firing system’. Stock model 98s have a fairly long heavy trigger pull, for hunting, precision shooting, a lighter pull is preferable. With 2 triggers, you pull the rear one to “set” the front one, making its pull like a single action pistol (light & short). If you were to pull the front trigger only, it still fires the rifle, but feels like the double action pull on a DA pistol, long & heavy.
I’m not familiar enough with double triggers & whether or not the sear arrangement is modified to work with it. If it is/was on this rifle, that might explain the missing safety, because it might interfere with the setting action. (as in break something, if you pulled the triggerbw/the original safety on.
BESIDE that, the safety is a fitted part, (&had sn on military rifle) & not any safety out of 20 or so will engage the cocking piece AT ALL or smoothly with the right ‘feel’. No harm in buying one, but it may have to be fitted by an experienced person.
Hope some of that helps.
