Mauser 98K's

[CZU]

I really don't collect these but I look at them when the opportunity comes along. Most of the time these days all you see are force matched, mismatched, or really bad bubba jobs. I always pass these back across the counter except for the 2 I have brought home recently.(The other one is an all matching vet bringback Steyr bnz.4)

This one, normally, I would have passed on. A sporterized 1940 27 code that I just couldn't remember who the maker was until I saw the E/280 stamps on the rifle. I didn't know Erma made these rifles, always thought of them making training rifles, 22 conversion units, and MP40's. Whoever it was that worked on this rifle, in my view, knew what they were doing. I assume it started out as an all matching example, all the numbered parts of the original configuration match including the screws. The barrel was removed and turned down, a new ramp sight was added along with new rear sight and sling swivel soldered to barrel. The receiver was worked for the use of a scope, I have some homework to do on this as to what kind of mounts. The stock is numbered in the channel and someone spent some time reworking it, it was slimmed down and the holes filled. I suspected the way this rifle was rebuilt it wasn't done here, later I found out that it was done over in Europe.

 

[quikdraw67]

Very nice.

The price of the import marked electric pencil forced match rifles are up into stupid territory.

That is a classic rifle. Thank you for sharing it .

 

[mauser9]

They look to be very nice rifles. Looks like quality built sporters. They should bring respectable money for the work that went into them. So many converted into more hunting configuration way back. Who knew matching 98k rifles left unaltered would be worth so much these days. Glad you shared with us.

 

[GypsmJim]

I have a Kar98 and a 98K and both are original with matched numbers. One is import marked and the other not. Both shoot reasonable well.

I also have a fully sporterized 03-A3 and it is an awesome tack driver. It simply amazes me at 300 yards. It has a custom Fajen stock and was reblued in the process. The companion to that is an unaltered 03-A3, which shoots OK, but is not a tack driver. The interesting thing is that the cost to sporterize costs big bucks, but in the end it may be a better shooter but its worth less than an original.

 

[LVSteve]

The interesting thing is that the cost to sporterize costs big bucks, but in the end it may be a better shooter but its worth less than an original.

Collector cars are the same. You could resto-mod a '58 Corvette to give it proper brakes, handling, and double the power, but it will never be worth as much as an original in good condition.

In general I'm not a fan of sportered milsurps, but the one in the OP is a cut above the average for sure.

That said, there is a saying in the milsurp world, usually uttered with a wailing voice: "Why does Bubba always seem to get the rare ones?"

 

[DWalt]

Back in the early 1970s, I ran across a sporterized 98K at an OGCA gun show for a giveaway price, even back then. It had all the evidence of having been done by someone who knew their business. Barrel was original and nicely turned, all SNs matched, and all metal was very well polished and blued. I didn't particularly like the stock as it was sort of the "Hollywood" style prevalent on the Weatherby rifles of that time. But I wasn't going to change it, as it looked like it had been a fairly expensive chunk of wood. The action and barrel had been glass bedded into it. No scope, the receiver was not drilled and tapped for mounts, and the bolt handle had not been altered. But it did have a peep sight which had been added to the receiver. Later, I sent the bolt off to have its handle altered so it could be used with a scope, and I also drilled and tapped the receiver and added a scope. It was still in its original 8x57 caliber, which presented no problem to me, as I already handloaded for the 8x57. It shot very tight groups, and in fact I used it some for varmint hunting using light bullet handloads. Sadly, I traded or sold it sometime later. It's one of those guns about which I remember nothing of how, when, or why I disposed of it. But I wish I had kept it.

 

[GypsmJim]

Sadly, I traded or sold it sometime later. It's one of those guns about which I remember nothing of how, when, or why I disposed of it. But I wish I had kept it.

That should be a sticky....

My worst trade was a S&W 41 that I used for bullseye, but after I stopped competing I traded it for a Ruger Blackhawk for $125.

The only good news was that the .45 brought home several deer.

 

[Ruger 13]

Very nice! At a LGS in Yoakum, Texas there is an absolutely beautiful Venezuelan short rifle with all matching numbers and a custom stock that was recently traded in. Made in Belgium too!

 

[stansdds]

I certainly would not recommend sporterizing an all-matching 98 or K98 today, but 30+ years ago it was a different world.

 

[mauser9]

I certainly would not recommend sporterizing an all-matching 98 or K98 today, but 30+ years ago it was a different world.

Agree!! Some crazy pricing going on out there. Even Russian Captures pushing $800 + and matching examples $3000 or more depending on codes and condition.

 

[CZU]

Agree!! Some crazy pricing going on out there. Even Russian Captures pushing $800 + and matching examples $3000 or more depending on codes and condition.

And on top of it all are the boosters that are making what used to be a fun hobby not so much fun anymore.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Classic, nice example.

 

[sigp220.45]

I love seeing well-sporterized old military guns. They probably saw much more use in the deer woods than they ever did on the battlefield. The OP’s gun is an especially nice example.

 

[2152hq]

Neat rifle and interesting features.
The front sight is sometimes called 'European sporting style' with the separate blade that dovetails in from the front/muzzle end of the ramp instead of the more common side to side dovetail.

The scope mount rails on the front recv'r ring and nicely milled intoplace. The rear are a separate set attached w/ base.
The cross cut groove is in the white as opposed to the rails being blued still as the recv'r is. There may have been a smaller groove there originally for locking the scope rings into place.
The current groove(s) being in the white may have come later.
The recut process being done so another set of rings & scope could be used on the rifle. The detachable scopes on the Euro sporters are forever getting lost/misplaced.

Is it possible that something as common as a set of Weaver or other OTC rings now fit the rails and cross cut slots on the recv'r?

I like the stock reshaping. The slight flat around the floor plate/ bottom metal. The cheek piece.
There's much that can be done with many of the Mauser Military stocks beyond the usual chop the forend and ditch the handguard.

The stocks made w/o the bolt disassembly bit in the stock nor the sling notch make quite nice sporters as well. No plugs necessary in the butt stock area. Many are nice Euro walnut.

Tapering the stepped bbl down takes some skill too. It's not an easy straight taper from breech to muzzle to make the 'steps' dissappear.

Looks like a thinner, steel sporter style butt plate too. Not the heavy Military type.

No bolt handle alteration to a 'low scope bolt handle'.
I assume then the scope was likely the very high mount type typical of the pre and post WW2 era.
No need for a low scope safety alteration either with those.

Shooters freak out at those now but they were perfectly workable in their day.

Nice find!

I still get drawn to sporterized MilSurp rifles at shows and shops.
I shouldn't but I still will buy up someone elses doomed sporter project and un-do it and rebuild it into something Sporter once again.
A US Krag was my last one I did. The Pacific front ramp and rear aperture sights were what got me hooked and the $240 price tag.

 

[.455_Hunter]

That said, there is a saying in the milsurp world, usually uttered with a wailing voice: "Why does Bubba always seem to get the rare ones?"

Absolutely yes- If you are looking for a nice Arisaka, you will find one or both of the following:

- Good condition, nice bore, and a ground mum.

- Completely worked-over by Bubba, chopped, rechambered, buffed, refinished, with the mum fully intact.

 

[sw44spl]

Yes sir I agree .I know where a type 38 is with high gloss blue and sporter stock and perfect intact mum.

 

[skywag]

My 1909 Argentine Mauser as a JK Cloward custom

 

[merl67]

I had a Mauser collection well sort of I guess I had one of each of the major design changes starting with the 1871 up to the 48 Yugos including a Gew 88 which isn't a Mauser, but I felt should be included because of the 7.9X57 round it fired. I still have two sporters I built from parts to deer hunt with one is in the 7.9X57 properly loaded the only thing the round gives up is range, and in the woods I hunted did not matter one bit. The other is a 71/84 in 11mm Mauser shortened to feel like a Winchester 94. Last year I picked up a sporter Swedish 38 in 6.5X55 I have not yet shot it, but soon as the weather warms a bit I will. No one in his right mind would sporter a nice original one now, but not too long ago it was the norm as they held little value as collectable.

 

[Llance]

I have two sporterized "98" Mausers, both are done by Parker-Hale of Bermingham, England. Their model 1200. One is a 270 Winchester and the other is in .30-06. They rest in the same case down in the dungeon with a box of hunting ammo. The bolts are out and the tension on the firing pin spring released. The .270 was my first "nice" rifle as before I only bought milsup.

I also have a "98" made at the Obendorff factory for Peru. Lovely deep blue except for the receiver which is in the white. The bolt is non-matching but I'm told this is common with the Peruvian Mausers as they would do like the Japanese when cleaning their guns and all parts were tossed together and then whichever bolt you grabbed when done went into your gun.