Info on German Mauser

[WayBeau]

Years ago, my father did a bad thing (in my eyes at least). He took an old German Mauser and sporterized it. This is an 8mm Mauser that was in REALLY GOOD condition. You could see the Nazi symbols with the naked eye and the bore was in really good condition for its age. The wood of the stock was in good condition and there wasn't rust or pitting anywhere to be found. My brother wanted a deer rifle (though he's never been deer hunting to this day) so Dad took it to the gun shop and had them do their thing to mount optics.

My brother and I were talking the other day and he said that he was curious about the rifle, i.e. did the value go completely down the toilet that fateful day so many years ago. In his defense, he had no idea that Dad was going to do what he did. He has also taken very good care of it since then.

So, we're curious of what this rifle MIGHT be worth had it not been sporterized. I'm waiting on my brother to get me info on the serial number and any other markings from the rifle.

Thanks in advance.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

If it was a run of the mill K98(Russian capture with mis-matched bolt) in good condition,the value is between $350 and $500 to Mauser collectors. Whether it was a "special" rifle or not is a moot point now as it has already been sporterized. If the sporterizing was professionally done by a quality gunsmith it can still be worth the same money. As I see it,it was a gift from your father. Treasure it as such and don't worry with what it used to be.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

To id your particular M98,start by looking on top of the receiver for a country crest and year of manufacture. Also look on receiver(usually below the wood line) for the manufacturer's code as well as various proof marks. These will aid greatly in determining the origin of your rifle.

 

[rondog]

Just curious, but how "sporterized" is it? Just drilled and tapped for scope mounts? Or was the stock butchered too? Any other mods? Any photos?

 

[WayBeau]

It has a scope mounted and a new bolt. The stock has been filed out where the new bolt hits the wood in order to accommodate it. Other than that, there have been no other modifications. It still has the original leather sling going up the side of it. I'll work on getting some photos.

 

[Vaarok]

Regardless of what it was, it's now a $250-300 tops deer rifle. It is worth utility value, and devoid of collectability.

 

[WayBeau]

So putting a new barrel on it might actually increase the value? Yeah, that came up in the conversation. He (my brother) wants to do it and told him to hold off and let me try to get some value info on it.

 

[Vaarok]

It won't really change the value, but it won't hurt it more than it's been. You won't increase the value more than you'll spend performing the modification, though.

 

[WayBeau]

Any suggestions on a good place to get a barrel?

 

[ridgerunner1965]

dont be mad at yur dad, back in the day those rifles were almost worthless.he took something he didnt like and turned it into something he did like.and then he used it and kept it for many years.that my friend is a family heirloom!idhe did it for your brother. one of his sons.what more can a son ask than for his father to build a rifle for his son.id cherish it the way it is.

 

[Jim Watson]

What kind of new barrel do you want?
Is the original no longer good?
A new barrel with Mauser steps to fit the stock will be some trouble to find, expensive to have made.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

A new barrel with Mauser steps to fit the stock will be some trouble to find, expensive to have made.

Gunbroker is filled with them(not necessarily new though). Very cheap too. Getting them installed is another matter.

 

[Jim Watson]

But why replace one surplus barrel with another?
Unless "the bore was in really good condition for its age." is code for "really kind of rough."

 

[jimmyraythomason]

But why replace one surplus barrel with another?

It is the only way to go if you are going to restore it. If you simply want to change to a more common hunting caliber then I suggest a short chambered barrel by(and from) Brownell's for about $90.

 

[barnetmill]

What kind of new barrel do you want?
Is the original no longer good?
A new barrel with Mauser steps to fit the stock will be some trouble to find, expensive to have made.

Last time I checked it was about $300 for a new stepped 98 8 mm barrel. If the gun is no longer collectible you could just as well set it up in .308 or 30-06 and be done with it. I assume that the original 8mm barrel has something wrong with it. The 8mm cartridge if you reload for it is a power house. Surplus 8 mm ammo is often cheaper these days than 30-06 or .308.

 

[WayBeau]

Wow! A lot of questions.

Ridgerunner, I'm not mad at my dad. It was just an unnecessary thing to do since he easily could have picked up a newer rifle for not much more money.

I haven't looked at the rifle in a few years, so all of my info on condition is based off of that last viewing and what I've been told by my brother. He was saying how he was thinking about putting a new barrel on it. . . .he didn't really give a reason why. I'll let him know about the potential costs. It seems like he ought to take it to a gunsmith and have them look at it to determine the condition of the bore before he takes the plunge and replaces it all together?

Thanks for all of the replies.