Mitchell's Mausers

[RCArms.com]

In which rifles?
The Yugos have a shorter action than the German 98s, so they can't be sticking Yugo bolts in German rifles.
Otherwise, the Yugos are ALL Yugo parts.
What Yugo parts would fit on a German 98?
Denis

My guess is that they were using Yugoslavian Model 98 parts (prodced post war prior to the adoption of the M48) and calling them WWII German Model 98 parts.

You have to remember that under German occupation, they set up a Model 98 production facility in Yugoslavia and after the Germans left, Yugoslavia continued production of the Model 98 rifles well into the 1950's

Don

 

[paintballdude902]

the mitchells that i have personally seen have been very nice rifles, but they all looked refinished and only the k98s are the real german military rifles.

i would rather have a nice, correct, beat up k98 than a refinished yugo. i like the history in the nicks and dings.

 

[DPris]

RC,
I think you're confused.
Have not heard of any true 98 production in Yugoslavia pre, during, or post war.
Yugoslavia had their equally-shorter-framed 24s (same frame size as the later 48s) since 1924, and had production capability in place during WWII for those.

To the best of my knowledge, Yugoslavia never produced true 98s.
Their Mausers were a 98 PATTERN, but used that shorter frame & a shorter bolt, among other things.
They had their own Mausers from the 1920s till the 1950s.

Paint,
Buyers for the Mitchell's products don't consist entirely of collectors.
In my case, I wanted two Mauser pattern shooters, and I wanted them in "as new" condition.
I'm quite happy with both.
Didn't want a collector, didn't want a beat-to-pieces relic, didn't want to have to clean the cosmo out (done it before, it ain't fun).

I'm not suggesting anybody buy from them, necessarily, or that nobody buy from them.
If you're looking for a collector piece, you might look elsewhere.
If you're looking for a shooter in great shape & don't mind paying for a clean one, you can spend your money there as well as anywhere else.

Just do your research & know what you're buying.
Denis

 

[RCArms.com]

RC,
I think you're confused.
Have not heard of any true 98 production in Yugoslavia pre, during, or post war.
Yugoslavia had their equally-shorter-framed 24s (same frame size as the later 48s) since 1924, and had production capability in place during WWII for those.

To the best of my knowledge, Yugoslavia never produced true 98s.
Their Mausers were a 98 PATTERN, but used that shorter frame & a shorter bolt, among other things.
They had their own Mausers from the 1920s till the 1950s.

Denis

Not confused at all, but most people are unaware of the Model 98 production that occurred in Yugoslavia during and immediately after WWII. This barreled receiver is a post occupation example as evidenced by the crest.



http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/0603/ddr223/Part out/7068 Part out/barreled receiver/

 

[DPris]

In my reference book on the Yugomausers there are multiple mentions of actual German-made Mausers acquired by, and converted by, but not manufactured by, Yugoslavia.

The German 98s were TRUE 98s, as I said the Yugomausers BUILT by the Yugoslavians were not TRUE 98s.
Dimensions & specs differed.

The actions of my 24/47 rifle and my M48 are essentially the same in length & other dimensions.
Their actions & bolts are shorter than TRUE German 98s.

Yugoslavia altered form & markings on German rifles & rifles from several other nations.
That Preduzece 44 stamping could be found on Germans 98s, Yugo 24/47s, and M48s.
It does not mean the Yugos built the German 98s, only that they worked on them.

I'm still unaware of any TRUE 98 production in Yugoslavia.
Do you have the Serbian And Yugoslav Mausers book by Bogdanovic?
Denis

 

[madcratebuilder]

Not confused at all, but most people are unaware of the Model 98 production that occurred in Yugoslavia during and immediately after WWII. This barreled receiver is a post occupation example as evidenced by the crest.

That is a war reparation German MOD98. The Slav's started a clean and repair of these rifles in late 1947. It's a Yugo M98/48 or MOD98/48. They ground the receiver ring and stamped the Yugo crest, many retain most of the other original German markings. Some even received a new barrel, these barrels are .250 shorter than the original MOD98 barrel.

My M48/98 is a numbers matching rifle in a German laminated stock (matched) The only indication it's a Slav is the factory code and National crest.

 

[fpgt72]

All of this just makes the water more muddy.

DP don't operate under the assuption that all collectors just have these guns hanging on walls, or locked in a safe. A great many of us like to shoot them.

However I do understand that not everyone wants to clean cosmo out of a 98K....however I don't know how long it has been that I have seen one like that...but if mitchells sells a product that someone is willing to pay for then more power to them.

I am not a fan of Mitchell's not many in the "collector" world are, they tend to be less then up front with what they are selling. If you know what you are buying going in then that is fine...but if you are one of those people, a few years ago with the sniper ordeal then you will always have a bad taste in your mouth...I was not suckered into that but it is just very dirty pool.....we in the community tend to have a LONG memory.

 

[DPris]

Mad,
According to the book, Yugoslavia started conversions of war reparations rifles back in the 1930s.
The M48s were not among those, the 48s were totally Yugo manufacture all the way.
Their older M24s were brought up to later specs beginning in 1947, which gave them their M24/47 designation.

FP,
I'm operating under no assumptions.

There are all sorts & types of people who buy military surplus rifles.
I have a strong fondness for them because of their history & design that goes back to my teenage years.

I prefer shooters too, and in original form.

I'm just saying the same thing you are- not everybody wants an absolutely correct battle-used historical piece to hang on the wall or stick in the safe as part of a collection.

I also understand how true collectors feel about Mitchell's. Don't blame 'em at all.
For those of us not in the collecting field who just want a very nice shooting example of a classic Mauser-pattern military rifle in "new" condition, the rifles they sell are that.

I paid more than many potential Yugomauser buyers are willing because what Mitchell's was selling was exactly what I wanted.
Re the cosmo comment, I see a post every now & then on the Yugos where a poster will talk about finding a pickled Yugo & taking the time & effort to de-gunk it.
I did that exactly once, many years ago with my Norinco SKS, and I don't plan to do it again.
I just don't enjoy such things.

For many people part of the attraction of a military surplus Mauser (or whichever rifle) is the attached "Imagine the battles it's been through, and all of the HISTORY!", and I can fully appreciate that.
No, you generally won't get that with a totally Yugo-built Mauser, and I can't comment on their German guns because I have no first-hand knowledge of what they get in & what they do with them.

In my case, I developed a liking for the British Enfield while in highschool.
Over the years after that, I went through several in buying & trading & selling, working my way up as money allowed till I was able (and lucky enough) to acquire a near-mint 1955 No 4 MKII.
It was never issued, it has zero battlefield experience, and no real history of its own, but I consider it the ultimate pinnacle of the Lee-Enfield progression, it's a fine rifle, I can shoot it all I want without either guilt or devaluation, and I got essentially a "new" Enfield finally after many years of beat to pieces war relics. I think it's either number 6 or number 7.

The main point I'm making is that if you just want an excellent example of a classic rifle in new shape that's also a great shooter, and you don't want to have to spend the time cleaning one up, what Mitchell's has offered in their Yugos is a very viable way to go.

If you want a collector piece, possibly not.

Buyer beware, and know what you're doing up front before you spend your money.
Denis

 

[sig220mw]

My son got me one of their M-48s that was made in Serbia. Have had it for about 3 or 4 years now. Was like new having come out of storage and still heavily greased. One heck of a shooter with a great looking teak stock. I put a scout scope on it. It has no collector value not being used in the war (made after the war) or of German manufacture but I really like it. Like most military style rifles it is on the heavy side but on the plus side less felt recoil and a really good 2 stage trigger.

 

[WardenWolf]

Since nobody really properly covered the subject, Mitchell's Mausers is a rather shady shop. They take parts from different guns and combine them to make a gun that looks very nice, but is not "correct". Parts won't have matching numbers, etc. They actually ruin the less-than-perfect historical rifles to scavenge the parts. They also tend to throw in parts from other countries' compatible rifles.

I'd never suggest butchering a nice historical piece, though I did pick up a tastefully sporterized German K98 last year for $250, with all the visible Nazi markings intact. It's a 1 MOA gun. Nice rifle. The Turks are also very nice, and I've heard great things about the Yugos as well.

 

[DPris]

I've heard stories about what Mitchell's "does", but I have never heard an original source who has personal knowledge of such things.
Are you one, or are you just repeating what you've heard? I'm not saying they do or don't, I'd genuinely like to hear from somebody who knows firsthand.
Denis

 

[RCArms.com]

I've heard stories about what Mitchell's "does", but I have never heard an original source who has personal knowledge of such things.
Are you one, or are you just repeating what you've heard? I'm not saying they do or don't, I'd genuinely like to hear from somebody who knows firsthand.
Denis

Most of the customers that I've spoken with that drank the Mitchells Sales Literature Kool-Aid and then discovered later how badly they got taken don't really like to talk about it.

I've read their older ad-copy and found it to be carefully crafted mix of half-truths and fabrications. Their current ad copy is a bit better, but it's more hype and vague explanations than a full disclosure of exactly what it is that they are selling.

The Physical Mitchells Mauser rifles that I have seen first hand are beautiful rifles. Most have been M48 and M48A rifles, some original, and some obvious parts builds.

Nice looking, yes
Serviceable, yes
Accurate, yes according to the owners
Collectible, No more than other same model rifles in similar condition.
Overpriced, yes

If a Mitchell's Mauser rifle fits your bill for what you are looking for, by all means buy it. But don't expect it to be something that it obviously isn't.

 

[Cal-gun Fan]

Given all the info here, I might wait to get a Mauser and instead spring for a Finnish M39. Cheaper caliber, supposedly just as if not more accurate, and I know what I'm getting.

 

[DPris]

RC,
I, as you may have noticed above, have stated that if you want true collectibles it might be advisable to look elsewhere. Not arguing that the Yugomausers have no real collectability.
I'm just hoping to run across somebody who can back up those horror stories about what Mitchell's "does" to mix & match guns with personal knowledge.
Denis

 

[RCArms.com]

RC,
I, as you may have noticed above, have stated that if you want true collectibles it might be advisable to look elsewhere. Not arguing that the Yugomausers have no real collectability.
I'm just hoping to run across somebody who can back up those horror stories about what Mitchell's "does" to mix & match guns with personal knowledge.
Denis

Inspect a Mitchell's Mauser parts built rifle first hand and you will see what I mean.

The Yugo Mausers are collectible by themselves and I have several in my personal collection. What I and others are stating over and over is that the Mitchell's product is overstated and overpriced.

But as long as people are willing to purchase them at their asking price, Mitchell's will continue to assemble these rifles and sell them as "relics of WWII" or whatever their current advertising line is.

I really don't have a whole lot more to say on the subject of Mitchell's Mausers, so if you are considering a purchase from them, do your research and make up your own mind before you spend your hard earned money.

Don

 

[ol' scratch]

I just saw that Century Arms has barreled 98 actions. If you want a sporter, that may be the best way to go. Are you going to sporterize the rifle? Or keep it in its original configuration?

 

[ol' scratch]

Samco also has Mausers less the stock. Could make a really nice sporter out of one of those too.

 

[Shadow 7D]

Saw an OLD shotgun new advertisement, don't remember what the exact nature was, whether it was Mitchels or just pointing out the fake waffenampts have and continue to be produced,

What I do know is this, they had a list of Waffenamp's and Mitchels Mausers were mentioned in the same sentence. Personally I'd buy ONE GUN from them, the NEW 48/63 short rifle, but then you can buy basically, the same gun in a modern caliber from Remington as the 798 and 799, all are Zastava built off their military line. Look at their site, they (Zastava) have some impressive guns.