New to me K 98

Northrider · March 22, 2018, 12:08 AM

I am now the proud owner of a 1943 Mod 98 Mauser. From what I have learned so far, it was made in Germany (byf factory) and captured by the Russians. Stock and receiver have same serial #, but the stock is most likely not the original one. Receiver and barrel, trigger guard and trigger are all painted black and stock is heavily shellacked. Bore looks good and there are a couple of stamped Nazi Eagles with the swastikas that aren't peened out on the receiver in the proper spots. I spent a lot of time cleaning it yesterday and hope to go out and shoot it soon.
I know, I know, this post is worthless without photos. Will try to rectify that tomorrow, if I can remember how to do it.

Shoot Safe and Often

10-96 · March 22, 2018, 12:41 AM

That sounds pretty cool. I don't know that I've seen more than one or two black stocks like that. Does it appear to be a finish that would date back to the 40's or 50's?

In The Ten Ring · March 22, 2018, 01:33 AM

I used to be a serious K98 collector. "byf" is the code for Mauser.

The Russians took every K98 apart, melted down the bad parts, removed all the cleaning rods and melted those down too, and put them back together with the best parts. The only things they didn't remove were barrels from receivers.

1943 date is correct for a laminated stock. If yours is solid walnut that's a bonus actually as those are more rare. Cupped buttplate is a bonus too, depending on who you speak with.

You can remove the shellac with denatured alcohol (if I remember correctly) and then refinish. Some guys use motor oil, some tung oil, I don't recall what is proper. You can find out I'm sure.

The Russians were bad to put daily quotas on everything and failure to meet those meant Siberian salt mines. That's why the peens often missed the Nazi markings (and we are happy about that). Intact swastikas mean higher value.

What are your plans? I used to compete in a match where only 98's were allowed.

hooligan1 · March 24, 2018, 05:54 AM

Mauser rifles are so cool, I cannot quit picking them up when I find a bargain.
If they are in full military config, I leave them like that, but when I get recievers only I get some custom work done and build hunting rifles. My favorite full military configured mauser that I own is a 1908 Brazilian, all parts matching with a pristine barrel and trigger, I put an Instamount on it so I could see to shoot it a little better, its a 7×57 mauser that handloaded 175 grn Sierra BTSP shoot less than moa at 100 yds....I really dig that rifle, mostly because its an ole Mauser....

emcon5 · March 24, 2018, 11:21 AM

If you want, you can remove the shellac with denatured alcohol and 0000 steel wool, it should come right off. I did that to mine, then cleaned as much dirt and Soviet filth off it as I could, and gave it a couple coats of Boiled Linseed Oil. Turned out OK, but much darker than it would have been originally:

The red "grain" is actually the glue used to make the laminate stock.

Here is a good thread to read:

http://forums.gunboards.com/showthre...an-capture-98k

On edit: I also made printable versions of the original German acceptance targets, scaled for 50, 75, and 100 yards that work pretty well for the standard K98k sights. Details, and download links here:

http://forums.gunboards.com/showthre...ptance-Targets

T. O'Heir · March 24, 2018, 11:34 AM

Do not put motor oil on wood. It has all kinds of other stuff in it that can damage wood. Use BLO or Tung Oil. The latter requires correct application over several days. Thin coats rubbed in with 24 hours drying time between coats and a clean, lint free, cloth, every day. Isn't exactly historically accurate though.

Dufus · March 24, 2018, 11:49 AM

My Dad got me one of those for my 14th birthday. He paid $14.95 for it at Monkey Wards.

I have acquired 2 more since that time.

I stripped the stock, sanded, and re-stained it not long after I got the first one. BC Tru-Oil gave a decent finish.

The other two are still original.

I can get good 2" groups at 200 yds with them with hand loads.

Shot my first deer with it many years ago.

Northrider · April 1, 2018, 02:40 AM

Thank you all for your replies and words of advice and links to more information. I have been traveling for work and then training this past week and had no time to express my thanks until now.
Have a relaxing Easter and stay safe.

std7mag · April 1, 2018, 07:18 AM

Does the bolt match the serial number on the receiver?

Had to ask...
Otherwise nice find!

emcon5 · April 1, 2018, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Does the bolt match the serial number on the receiver?

Had to ask...
Otherwise nice find!

Russian capture, so the stamping won't match, but the bolt should be electro-penciled with the rifle S/N.

SaxonPig · April 1, 2018, 06:15 PM

I recently acquired a "Russian Capture" M98. I will leave it as is for historical perspective. These are usually missing the locking screws and cleaning rod but I replaced them.

March 22, 2018, 12:08 AM	#1
Northrider Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2011 Location: Wasilla, Alaska Posts: 228	New to me K 98 I am now the proud owner of a 1943 Mod 98 Mauser. From what I have learned so far, it was made in Germany (byf factory) and captured by the Russians. Stock and receiver have same serial #, but the stock is most likely not the original one. Receiver and barrel, trigger guard and trigger are all painted black and stock is heavily shellacked. Bore looks good and there are a couple of stamped Nazi Eagles with the swastikas that aren't peened out on the receiver in the proper spots. I spent a lot of time cleaning it yesterday and hope to go out and shoot it soon. I know, I know, this post is worthless without photos. Will try to rectify that tomorrow, if I can remember how to do it. Shoot Safe and Often

March 22, 2018, 12:41 AM	#2
10-96 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Tx Panhandle Territory Posts: 4,159	That sounds pretty cool. I don't know that I've seen more than one or two black stocks like that. Does it appear to be a finish that would date back to the 40's or 50's? __________________ Rednecks... Keeping the woods critter-free since March 2, 1836. (TX Independence Day) I suspect a thing or two... because I've seen a thing or two.

March 24, 2018, 05:54 AM	#4
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,585	Mauser rifles are so cool, I cannot quit picking them up when I find a bargain. If they are in full military config, I leave them like that, but when I get recievers only I get some custom work done and build hunting rifles. My favorite full military configured mauser that I own is a 1908 Brazilian, all parts matching with a pristine barrel and trigger, I put an Instamount on it so I could see to shoot it a little better, its a 7×57 mauser that handloaded 175 grn Sierra BTSP shoot less than moa at 100 yds....I really dig that rifle, mostly because its an ole Mauser.... __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

March 24, 2018, 11:34 AM	#6
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Do not put motor oil on wood. It has all kinds of other stuff in it that can damage wood. Use BLO or Tung Oil. The latter requires correct application over several days. Thin coats rubbed in with 24 hours drying time between coats and a clean, lint free, cloth, every day. Isn't exactly historically accurate though. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

March 22, 2018, 01:33 AM	#3
In The Ten Ring Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2018 Posts: 380	I used to be a serious K98 collector. "byf" is the code for Mauser. The Russians took every K98 apart, melted down the bad parts, removed all the cleaning rods and melted those down too, and put them back together with the best parts. The only things they didn't remove were barrels from receivers. 1943 date is correct for a laminated stock. If yours is solid walnut that's a bonus actually as those are more rare. Cupped buttplate is a bonus too, depending on who you speak with. You can remove the shellac with denatured alcohol (if I remember correctly) and then refinish. Some guys use motor oil, some tung oil, I don't recall what is proper. You can find out I'm sure. The Russians were bad to put daily quotas on everything and failure to meet those meant Siberian salt mines. That's why the peens often missed the Nazi markings (and we are happy about that). Intact swastikas mean higher value. What are your plans? I used to compete in a match where only 98's were allowed.

March 24, 2018, 11:21 AM	#5
emcon5 Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 1999 Location: High Desert NV Posts: 2,850	If you want, you can remove the shellac with denatured alcohol and 0000 steel wool, it should come right off. I did that to mine, then cleaned as much dirt and Soviet filth off it as I could, and gave it a couple coats of Boiled Linseed Oil. Turned out OK, but much darker than it would have been originally: The red "grain" is actually the glue used to make the laminate stock. Here is a good thread to read: http://forums.gunboards.com/showthre...an-capture-98k On edit: I also made printable versions of the original German acceptance targets, scaled for 50, 75, and 100 yards that work pretty well for the standard K98k sights. Details, and download links here: http://forums.gunboards.com/showthre...ptance-Targets

March 24, 2018, 11:49 AM	#7
Dufus Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2014 Posts: 1,965	My Dad got me one of those for my 14th birthday. He paid $14.95 for it at Monkey Wards. I have acquired 2 more since that time. I stripped the stock, sanded, and re-stained it not long after I got the first one. BC Tru-Oil gave a decent finish. The other two are still original. I can get good 2" groups at 200 yds with them with hand loads. Shot my first deer with it many years ago.

April 1, 2018, 02:40 AM	#8
Northrider Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2011 Location: Wasilla, Alaska Posts: 228	Thank you all for your replies and words of advice and links to more information. I have been traveling for work and then training this past week and had no time to express my thanks until now. Have a relaxing Easter and stay safe.

April 1, 2018, 07:18 AM	#9
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	Does the bolt match the serial number on the receiver? Had to ask... Otherwise nice find!

April 1, 2018, 06:15 PM	#11
SaxonPig Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2006 Posts: 1,900	I recently acquired a "Russian Capture" M98. I will leave it as is for historical perspective. These are usually missing the locking screws and cleaning rod but I replaced them.