K98 mauser

[hogheaven]

I have a k98 German mauser that has all matching serial numbers and the stock also matches and has not been sanded or cut in any way that I can tell. It also has byf 45 on the top of the barrel. There is no mark suggesting that it is a RC, but I do not know a whole lot about these the serial number is 6000a can anyone help me find some more info on this gun? Also what is the price range on an all matching mauser that will shoot?

[hogheaven]

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[Jimro]

Late war production drives down the price, all matching numbers raises it a tad. Read more here: http://www.latewar.com/html/byf.htm

To the right person it could be worth a few hundred bucks, to everyone else it is just another K98.

Jimro

[Todd1700]

To the right person it could be worth a few hundred bucks, to everyone else it is just another K98.

LOL! When is the last time you bought a K98? Even Russian captures are going for way more than a few hundred dollars these days. If his gun is indeed an all matching (and I have no idea if it genuinely is from those photos) that would easily boost it into the 700 to 1000 range.

[James K]

That is the rifle known as the Kriegsmodell, a generally serviceable rifle but with many shortcuts in production, such as stamped and welded bands held on by wood screws. It must be noted that some rifles in that era were of questionable material and many parts used had been rejected earlier when the situation was less desperate. I have seen one in which the bolt front locking lugs did not bear and only the safety lug kept the bolt in place during firing. (The owner had fired it many times, so the safety lug worked.)

While any serious K.98k collector would have at least one Kriegsmodell in his collection, they are not among the most desirable for collecting.

(The Kriegsmodell is a true K.98k, though cheapened and modified for faster production; it should not be confused with the Volksgewehr, a "bare bones" model 98 rifle without adjustable sights, bands, bayonet lug or even, in some cases, a magazine. Some were chambered for the 7.9x33 Kurz cartridge instead of the standard 7.9x57.)

Jim

[FALPhil]

Some were chambered for the 7.9x33 Kurz cartridge instead of the standard 7.9x57.

Wow, I did not know that. Were any other Mauser 98s chambered in x33? I know that some were chambered in a low-powered civilian cartridge that was used primarily for drilling and target

[James K]

AFAIK, no standard army issue 98 Mausers were chambered for the the Kurz cartridge. The Volksgewehr or Volkskarabiner was a special case, made from a Model 98 receiver and barrel combined with a crude wood stock and a bent strap trigger guard. The rear sight was dovetailed into the front receiver ring. They were to be issued to the Volkssturm ("Peoples' Storm" or "Peoples' Assault"), usually translated as "Peoples' Militia"), the last ditch force organized by the Nazi party to resist the Russian push into Germany. Composed of old men and civilians previously deferred, few of its members had any military experience, and its commanders were mostly fanatical Nazi party hacks; it goes without saying that while some members fought courageously, the organization as a whole was ineffective and the mission was suicidal.

I think the lower power cartridge mentioned was the 8.15x46R, the most widely used target cartridge in Germany. It was chambered not only in civilian versions of the Mauser 98, but also in single shot target rifles and in the center-fire barrel of drillings and vierlings. It was used also in target practice by para-military groups as pre-service training. It was never a military round. It resembles the .32-40, but is more powerful than the old Winchester round.

Jim

[hogheaven]

So what suggestions do you all have for reloads on the 8x57 JS? I did some with 47gr of IMR 4007 SSC and a 180 gr nosler ballistic tip OAL was 3.155 they seemed to work pretty well any other suggestions??

[James K]

As always, I recommend buying a reloading manual. IMHO there is too much chance of a typing error to risk using reloading info from a web site.

Jim

[hogheaven]

I have one just thought I would see what other people were using...

[lordhedgwich]

seriously jimro when was the last time you bought a k98 they are very expensive these days

[James K]

I won't get into the "what's it worth", but I do notice that the KM and other late war guns often turn up in very good shape, whether because they were not issued at all and were taken from the factories by Allied troops or were not in service long enough to have seen combat or require any repair or rebuild.

Jim

[Winchester_73]

Jimro

Tell me where they are at for a few hundred, all matching and original K98s - I would sure like to have a good original K98, but I don't have one yet because I'm more a pistol collector So let me know!

[James K]

It depends. If you absolutely must have an S/42 K, in like new condition, you will pay for it. A lot. If you want a generic K.98k, and will accept a Russian Capture, you can get one at a reasonable price, probably at your local gun shop or a local gun show.

If you just want a K.98k to sporterize, there are many (too many) around with stocks hacked up, barrels cut, etc., at a couple of hundred dollars.

Some auction sites show prices that are (to me) way off scale, but they do indicate a trend, certainly from the days when a K.98k could be had for $15-$25, in excellent condition.

Jim

[Mwt]

Hog, I shoot the same nosler ballistic tip with 45 grains of imr 4064 with good results. Relatively mild, accurate, and good whitetail medicine. My son and son in law shoot them faster than I can load them!ImageUploadedByTapatalk1373118592.185875.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1373118676.667958.jpg

They are shooting this load from two k98 RC rifles, an Erma 27 1938 and a Lubecker 237 1940 and having no problem toppling 4x8" steel target at 180 yards.

[hogheaven]

Thank you MWT!