Hey Ben,
I saw an 8mm with the butterknife handle and all at the Missoula gun show this weekend. That thing was actually pretty cool! Handled really nicely. And that goofy-looking sloped stock actually felt better than just about any straight-combed stock I've held. It kinda made me want to buy it...
Was it drilled and tapped or just iron sights? Those old mausers are made extremely well. Next project gun is going to be an old K. Kale Turkish Mauser I've got laying around. Want to turn it into a 8mm AI w/A Plezier style stock.