I have had on my wish list a German K98 for a long time. I am not as knowledgeable with these as I am certain Smiths or Garands so I am going to rely on you guys. The gun at LGS is a 1939 manufacture with the 3 stamps that I believe mean concentration camp manufacture. Bore is like new. Overall gun is very nice. What should I look for? What should I Pay?
LGS has a K98 Mauser
- Thread starter Welder1
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Texas Star
US Veteran
Be a lot more detailed. For one thing, what are the stamps? Exactly! And is the stock laminated?
Overall condition? State in NRA condition terms, not just saying, "looks pretty good" or some such rot.
Overall condition? State in NRA condition terms, not just saying, "looks pretty good" or some such rot.
gdnagle
US Veteran
The Germans numbered almost everything on them. Type of finish on the stock. Russian captures had their varnish on them, they had a X on the receiver some had peen or defaced Waffen marks, no capture screws, cleaning rod, or sight hood if equipped. They were less desirable at one time but is all that seems to be available at present they will also have the least amount of matching number parts with electro engraved numbers. You can look on GB for price, the more matching numbers the more it will cost you. Sniper, all matching number and GI bring back will be the highest priced in that order. GI bring back can have all matching numbers except the bolt, this was because when they, the German surrendered he was to remove his bolt hold in one hand and rifle in the other, throw onto a pile one for rifle one for bolt most never got reunited, they will most likely be duffle cut. Last one I saw was about $400 for a RC. They are getting less and less on the market so slim change of finding them in large quantity anymore.
LVSteve
Member
I doubt it. 1939 is way early for that. Do you have any pictures or can you describe the stamps? How much overall bluing was left? New barrel usually says Yugoslav rebuild to me.
Edited to add:
If it is a 660 code for a Steyr built gun, then the company did have a link with Matthausen. However, that underground plant was not built until 1943. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauthausen-Gusen_concentration_camp
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I seriously doubt that the Mauser you are looking at was built with
concentration camp labor. German K98s usually had the year of
manufacture, four digits early, two digits late usually, along with a
code indicating place of manufacture on the top of the receiver. Some
concentration camp labor made rifles had the bnz code along with an
SS rune and a later date such as 43. The excellent bore and refinished
stock could mean it is one of the K98s refinished by Yugoslavia after
the war. Much more information is needed to fairly evaluate the gun.
I love Mausers and own around fifteen, haven't counted lately, and
there are millions of them in a wide variety of configuration floating
around out there. I would suggest learning a bit more before you part
with your hard earned cash.
concentration camp labor. German K98s usually had the year of
manufacture, four digits early, two digits late usually, along with a
code indicating place of manufacture on the top of the receiver. Some
concentration camp labor made rifles had the bnz code along with an
SS rune and a later date such as 43. The excellent bore and refinished
stock could mean it is one of the K98s refinished by Yugoslavia after
the war. Much more information is needed to fairly evaluate the gun.
I love Mausers and own around fifteen, haven't counted lately, and
there are millions of them in a wide variety of configuration floating
around out there. I would suggest learning a bit more before you part
with your hard earned cash.
kimporter
Member
i think the 3 concentration stamps poster mentioned are just the 3 waffenamts that are found on the lefthand side of the receiver i have a 38 date mauser like that.also if you are unsure about it find someone that knows about them to look it over for you,you can get burned real good,LOTS of fakin goin on out there,i had a ce 38 sn 6464 that had a mismatched bolt,sold it at a show and then 4 years later saw it again as a matching siderail sniper,
Far too early for concentration camp workers. You do have a pre war Mauser here though. I feel the pre war ones are a notch above the later ones in workmanship. Look for numbers matching on most parts. A 39 would have a flat buttplate on either a walnut or red glue laminate stock. If there's a lot of bluing left it would look nicely done, even, with a pretty deep tone. Fonts on serial numbers should all match. A big plus would be one with a matching bolt.
A blued cupped buttplate, serial number running parallel to the bore on the left side of a shellacked stock and mixed parts would probably mean a Russian Capture. Lots of these have an X on the receiver but not all. Haven't seen an RC K98 with a bad bore yet, my 37 Sauer RC has one like a mirror. Peened dirty birds and a serial number running vertical on the left side of the stock would mean a Balkan Capture.
Just how much money is he wanting. RC $400 give or take, Numbers matching except the bolt $700 to $1000. Numbers matching pre war $1000 and up. What is stamped on top of the receiver? Various codes on the top of the receiver can make a big difference too.
A blued cupped buttplate, serial number running parallel to the bore on the left side of a shellacked stock and mixed parts would probably mean a Russian Capture. Lots of these have an X on the receiver but not all. Haven't seen an RC K98 with a bad bore yet, my 37 Sauer RC has one like a mirror. Peened dirty birds and a serial number running vertical on the left side of the stock would mean a Balkan Capture.
Just how much money is he wanting. RC $400 give or take, Numbers matching except the bolt $700 to $1000. Numbers matching pre war $1000 and up. What is stamped on top of the receiver? Various codes on the top of the receiver can make a big difference too.
tlay
US Veteran
I would suggest that if you are looking for a really good deal on a Mauser check out Mitchels Mausers in California. They have some of the best deals around.
NOOOOOOO!!!!!! a thousand times NOOOOOOOO!!!!! Mausers are my main firearms passion, sorry S&W folks.
With all due respect to the previous post avoid Mitchell's Mausers like the Plague. Go to one of the Mauser Forums and read up on them. They pimp shine a Russian Capture, restamp parts, put totally incorrect parts on various K98 editions. Their K98s have ZERO collector value and their reputation is ZERO with collectors.
Don't believe me, read up on them, check out what a Mitchell's Mauser goes for on Gunbroker.
With all due respect to the previous post avoid Mitchell's Mausers like the Plague. Go to one of the Mauser Forums and read up on them. They pimp shine a Russian Capture, restamp parts, put totally incorrect parts on various K98 editions. Their K98s have ZERO collector value and their reputation is ZERO with collectors.
Don't believe me, read up on them, check out what a Mitchell's Mauser goes for on Gunbroker.
LVSteve
Member
Mitchell's Mausers are the reason many gun forums have that puking emoticon. Just say NO to Mitchell's, purveyors of the ultimate pimp-shined ripoffs.
41RF
Member
I agree 100% about avoiding Mitchell's!
wheelgun28
Member
I was under the impression that Mitchells were good shooters if you can get one for a few hundred???
I have a k98,(not a Mitchell) its a capture 1938 "42". Most numbers match, but the bolt has a non matching straight handle. It has little bluing remaining, all the marks have been center punched. I was under the impression it was a Czechoslovakian capture? It has no X stamp on it. It was imported by C.I.A. The barrel isnt worn out and it was cheap, like $250 (last year)
I have a k98,(not a Mitchell) its a capture 1938 "42". Most numbers match, but the bolt has a non matching straight handle. It has little bluing remaining, all the marks have been center punched. I was under the impression it was a Czechoslovakian capture? It has no X stamp on it. It was imported by C.I.A. The barrel isnt worn out and it was cheap, like $250 (last year)
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LVSteve
Member
Probably has a Czech VZ24 bolt in it. Details of the bolt markings may reveal its source. Check under the bolt shank for a Z in a circle. The Russians were the only folk to stamp the X as a capture mark.
tlay
US Veteran
I don't think the OP is looking for a collector Mauser. I have a mauser from Mitchels and it looks good, fires every time and is worth the $299 I paid for it.
LVSteve
Member
If they were still $299 there would be less flak. However, their current combination of price, hyperbole and the way they mess with the guns is the reason they are so reviled by collectors.
If you like dealing with companies that have questionable reputations than go for it. Maybe your a big fan of our government too.
They actually will take an X stamped on an RC receiver and add another line to it. I believe at one time they were calling that asterisk a German acceptence mark.
They actually will take an X stamped on an RC receiver and add another line to it. I believe at one time they were calling that asterisk a German acceptence mark.
Arik
Member
Mitchells are just as good as any other mausers but Mitchells fubars the historical part by trying to make em look new and sell em as such. Very bad imo. I'd much rather have character marks and war use then having the same thing sanded and restrained to look new and passed of as new.
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wheelgun28
Member
You are 100% correct
it has a Z in a circle, also a T7 next to the Z
The handle on top near the knob has a flat spot ground in. It seems this was to remove an existing number. It has a new three digit number in its place 636. The number does not match anything either...
The bolt fits quite well, its smooth, tight and locks up properly. I would guess someone fit it to the receiver.
Thank You!
