Cleaning up a mauser kar98

[davera]

Hi folks,
I purchased one of the russian capture k98's that were mentioned in the previous thread. Following advice and instinct to "get the nicest rifle" I bought the 1937 Erfurt. It's mostly a mixmaster but I think the receiver and barrel are still matching - the numbers match but it still could have been force matched. But, they seem in pretty good condition. The bore is a little mottled looking (corrosion?) but fairly bright and I've only done a little cleaning at it.
The worst offense on this rifle (IMO) is the dark paint used on some metal parts - the bolt was painted for one thing. Will mineral spirits and steel wool clean that up? Or should I go for something stronger? Was the bolt normally finished "in the white"? like Mitchells Mausers always shows?

I'll probably make it a limited restoration project - replace a few of the small bits if I can, clean it up to look more or less "as issued". Was the bolt normally finished "in the white"? like Mitchells Mausers always shows?

Thanks for advice and comments.

 

[DMK]

The Russians were known for painting things.

Soaking it in mineral spirits should get the paint off. It may require a little convincing with a brass brush (you can get them in the paint stripping area of Walmart). If that doesn't do the trick, try some brake parts cleaner. That got all the really nasty paint off my No2 Enfields.

 

[SeNNebogen]

I don't believe so, I have a byf 42 G.I. bring back all matching #s and all that good stuff, the only thing thats not blued is the firing pin.

Mitchell's Mausers = too much $$

How much did they charge you for the rifle? Shops around my way were in the $220-250 range for RCs last time I checked. Its probally is forced matched . The russians would just take them apart and throw the different pieces into crates for comoslime and storage.

 

[davera]

RC Mauser price

I paid $400.00 out the door. That in the range of what I had seen them for at gunshows recently and there usually are not very many.
Yes, other than the barrel and receiver, it's a total mixmaster - cleaning paint of exposed a couple more places with electro pencil markings on the bolt sleeve and safety.

 

[alamo]

The bolts and receivers were not "white" like Mitchells. Only the buttplates and stock discs. Soaking in white vinegar will take care of that. I did it on mine. I left the black paint on the receiver/bolt.