How can I tell how old this one is? Looks like a 93 small ring Mauser short barrel a few faint making on the left side of receiver, cock on opening. Thanks!

Sounds like a small ring Mexican 98 Mauser. I had one, years ago, and the receiver registered RC 28 on the Rockwell "C" scale. I didn't trust it with high preassure cartrtridges and so, I just rebarreled for a .300 Savage, and it made a nice sporter. (The 7mm barrel was ruined from corrosive ammunition and improper cleaning.) I guess I could have re-heat treated it, but I didn't know the carbon content, or the type of steel used in it's manufacture.

__________________
Lee L.

America= Land of the Free, Because of the Brave. == May God Bless Them All.

Could well be a Spanish Mauser. They made a 7mm carbine, many of which were rechambered for a cartridge of .308 Winchester dimensions. Some say these are deathtraps in .308, others say they are safe. But a nice 7mm is safe with any load equivalent to the military loading, and they are handy guns that can be darned accurate, if you can put up with the V-notch-and-barleycorn sights. Many saw use in the Spanish Civil War.

All the "small-ring" Mexican rifles I've seen have been of the 98 pattern, but a bit smaller -- which certainly doesn't mean Mexican 93s aren't out there.