I have a new 8mm tanker Mauser from Mitchells made in Zavasta and it is a accurate beautiful gun with rich bluing not seen here since the 60's. I have many original Mausers German Sweedish etc and could care less about cheap collectors who will not pay much for them anyway
Mitchell's Mausers
- Thread starter Thompson9494
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theotherwaldo
Member
I have avoided the Nazi-marked Mausers, as I prefer Czech, Swedish, Turkish, Chilean, Argentinian, First World War German,and so on.
Just my personal taste.
They shoot at least as well, are just as historical, are less expensive on the average, and have better connotations to me. Just too many Jewish and Polish ancestors.
Just my personal taste.
They shoot at least as well, are just as historical, are less expensive on the average, and have better connotations to me. Just too many Jewish and Polish ancestors.
LAGS
Member
@ Theotherwaldo
I have to agree with you and build my customs with other than German receivers.
The Turk 98/22 and 98/29. and other similar models are even better quality than the ones made by Mauser
Most are based on the Czech 24 and were made for many countries.
I have to agree with you and build my customs with other than German receivers.
The Turk 98/22 and 98/29. and other similar models are even better quality than the ones made by Mauser
Most are based on the Czech 24 and were made for many countries.
I think the Swedish Mauser in 6.5X55 is a good choice. They seem to be very accurate for as old as they are and ammo is readily available if you don't reload. I'm not fond of the trigger, but you can learn to live with it and 0.5" groups are very easy to live with.
Price really does depend on your area....around here a nice RC will go for ~$400. But I have seen people pay as much as $600 for them on line.
Personally I like the german guns better....they will always be worth more if you choose to sell, and it is...well a German 98k and that is what you want....all others are just not that.
Keep looking and if you don't already pick up your 03FFL....it will save you money on each buy you make....but you will spend much more....it really is a license to spend
Personally I like the german guns better....they will always be worth more if you choose to sell, and it is...well a German 98k and that is what you want....all others are just not that.
Keep looking and if you don't already pick up your 03FFL....it will save you money on each buy you make....but you will spend much more....it really is a license to spend
LAGS
Member
It is true, that all Mausers, are Mausers.
But Not all Mausers are really Mausers.
What I mean is , the ones that are sought after most are the ones actually made in the Mauser Factory and not some satelite gun company contracted to do Mauser work.
But they are really all about the same.
But everyone wants a German Nazi marked Mauser as some kind of historical piece.
But with the way this country is going with their Political Correctness, then there May come a day when having the Nazi Mark will not be acceptable.
Will that make them more collectable. or make the price fall in the crapper ?
But Not all Mausers are really Mausers.
What I mean is , the ones that are sought after most are the ones actually made in the Mauser Factory and not some satelite gun company contracted to do Mauser work.
But they are really all about the same.
But everyone wants a German Nazi marked Mauser as some kind of historical piece.
But with the way this country is going with their Political Correctness, then there May come a day when having the Nazi Mark will not be acceptable.
Will that make them more collectable. or make the price fall in the crapper ?
This is an older ad, but I still see M48s in excellent shape online for ~$270 (not from Mitchell's)
and here is Mitchell again trying to confuse people into thinking that post war Yugo M48s are German 98Ks.
Looking at their website it appears that since Mitchell's got their hands on Russian capture real German 98ks that they've stopped trying to pawn off their M48s as WWII German Mausers. Now they're trying to pawn off Russian capture 98ks as normal 98ks and charging accordingly.
I paid $360 last year for a Russian capture 98k from a website that didn't try to mislead as to the rifle's origin. I'm no expert in 98ks, but to my understanding non Russian captures easily go for twice that. I got lucky and got one that still had the German markings intact, a receiver from 1938, and no Russian markings that I could find.
- They're calling it a Mauser 98K, trying to confuse people into thinking "WWII German".
- The crest is dated 1943 because it's from Tito, not because the rifle was made in 1943. :banghead:
- How can the rifles be preserved since WWII if they were made after WWII?
- The ad says German 3x and Serbia once, doesn't say Yugoslavia at all ...
and here is Mitchell again trying to confuse people into thinking that post war Yugo M48s are German 98Ks.
Looking at their website it appears that since Mitchell's got their hands on Russian capture real German 98ks that they've stopped trying to pawn off their M48s as WWII German Mausers. Now they're trying to pawn off Russian capture 98ks as normal 98ks and charging accordingly.
I paid $360 last year for a Russian capture 98k from a website that didn't try to mislead as to the rifle's origin. I'm no expert in 98ks, but to my understanding non Russian captures easily go for twice that. I got lucky and got one that still had the German markings intact, a receiver from 1938, and no Russian markings that I could find.
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LAGS
Member
It is like I said.
If you read their advertisement, No where do they claim it is a German Mauser 98.
People are infering that from wording like German or Mauser Strength.
And the M-48's ARE Mausers, but they are not made in Germany, nor in a Mauser Factory.
But neither are the ones made in Brunn gunworks marked DOT or the ones made by Steyr Marked BNZ as are many others made around europe.
It is like the jewelry advertisements wher they clain it is Made with Solid 14 carot Gold Cladding.
The Cladding IS solid 14 carot GOLD, and that is what they claim.
Buyer Be Ware, and "Read between the lines".
Did you see the line "Version" of the 98K ? and it is a Version
Plus it does say it was made in Yugoslavia right on the certificate.
And they were produced on machines SET UP when Germany Occupied Yugoslavia durring the war.
And the rifles are as they would have been issued to Troops, But they didn't say German troops.
If you read their advertisement, No where do they claim it is a German Mauser 98.
People are infering that from wording like German or Mauser Strength.
And the M-48's ARE Mausers, but they are not made in Germany, nor in a Mauser Factory.
But neither are the ones made in Brunn gunworks marked DOT or the ones made by Steyr Marked BNZ as are many others made around europe.
It is like the jewelry advertisements wher they clain it is Made with Solid 14 carot Gold Cladding.
The Cladding IS solid 14 carot GOLD, and that is what they claim.
Buyer Be Ware, and "Read between the lines".
Did you see the line "Version" of the 98K ? and it is a Version
Plus it does say it was made in Yugoslavia right on the certificate.
And they were produced on machines SET UP when Germany Occupied Yugoslavia durring the war.
And the rifles are as they would have been issued to Troops, But they didn't say German troops.
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GBExpat
Member
Mitchell's Mausers has always woven their ubiquitous web of deceit around a few core lies.
Not Hyperbole, LIES.
According to Branko, the M48s were not manufactured until 1950.
Not Hyperbole, LIES.
According to Branko, the M48s were not manufactured until 1950.
Speedo66
Member
I would put Mitchell's in the same category as Cheaper Than Dirt, and wouldn't patronize either one of them.
Thompson9494
Member
Czech VZ 24
Found a Czech made VZ 24 available on the internet for $450. Same vendor also has several other Mauser rifles, including a really nice lookin' Swedish M1896 for $495.
These prices sound fair to y'all?
Found a Czech made VZ 24 available on the internet for $450. Same vendor also has several other Mauser rifles, including a really nice lookin' Swedish M1896 for $495.
These prices sound fair to y'all?
LAGS
Member
@ Thompson9494
I would have to see the VZ-24 but that sound a little high.
But if it truely is in original or restored condition with a good bore and headspace, then it might be worth it.
But the last one I bought was for under $300.00.
They are a good model, but do not comand the prices that German K-98's do.
Also takes a different Bayonet then the 98.
Now the Swede 96 is a Small Ring, Cock on Closing Mauser and not a Mauser 98.
That in good Original condition is a Fair Price. Not really Great, but it is in the Ball Park for that model.
I picked up a Turkish Contract 98/22 in 8mm a while back for under $250.00 , and it is the same Czech receiver as the VZ24.
I would have to see the VZ-24 but that sound a little high.
But if it truely is in original or restored condition with a good bore and headspace, then it might be worth it.
But the last one I bought was for under $300.00.
They are a good model, but do not comand the prices that German K-98's do.
Also takes a different Bayonet then the 98.
Now the Swede 96 is a Small Ring, Cock on Closing Mauser and not a Mauser 98.
That in good Original condition is a Fair Price. Not really Great, but it is in the Ball Park for that model.
I picked up a Turkish Contract 98/22 in 8mm a while back for under $250.00 , and it is the same Czech receiver as the VZ24.
Ash
Member
The ad does indeed lie when it states these are WWII Mausers. It implies that it was built by Germans during the German occupation of Serbia. However, these were NOT made in OCCUPIED Serbia making a second lie.
Also, these are not M98 Mausers as the receiver is too short to be true 98's.
Also, these are not M98 Mausers as the receiver is too short to be true 98's.
If the VZ-24 is in really nice condition and has the Lion Crest intact it could be worth that price, but I would like to look at one like that in person. The Yugoslavian M48 and 24/47 are excellent shooters, mine are really smooth and accurate, both we're imported by Cherrys. Good luck.
LAGS
Member
@ Stan Rose
I agree with you on the Yugos.
I have 11 of the 24/47's 8 of them original.
But I do not buy the ones in perfect condition as I restore them or build customs out of the Junkers.
But I bet I bought all 11 of mine for less than Two Mitchell's M48's
And they will look just as good when I am done.
I am still building the customs right now and havent got to the restorations yet.
They make darn good .308's and .257 Roberts as well as many other shorter calibers.
I agree with you on the Yugos.
I have 11 of the 24/47's 8 of them original.
But I do not buy the ones in perfect condition as I restore them or build customs out of the Junkers.
But I bet I bought all 11 of mine for less than Two Mitchell's M48's
And they will look just as good when I am done.
I am still building the customs right now and havent got to the restorations yet.
They make darn good .308's and .257 Roberts as well as many other shorter calibers.
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theotherwaldo
Member
Yeah, LAGS, 24/47s can be pretty nice. I picked up one at a local gun show for $200 and I have absolutely no complaints. It's not up to Swedish standards, but few milsurps are.
LAGS
Member
@ theotherwaldo.
The cheapest I paid was $89.00 for one that actually had a sticker on it that said " An Incredable Specimin "
That receiver is now my .308 tactical with a 26" Kongsberg Sniper barrel.
But I did clean up the bore before I customized it and fired five rounds.
The cheapest I paid was $89.00 for one that actually had a sticker on it that said " An Incredable Specimin "
That receiver is now my .308 tactical with a 26" Kongsberg Sniper barrel.
But I did clean up the bore before I customized it and fired five rounds.
LAGS
Member
@ ASH
It doesn't say they were made in Occupied Serbia.
It says, they were built on machines "set up" in Occupied serbia.
And that is True.
The Germans Occupied Serbia, set up the machines and never produced rifles, so the Yugoslavians used those machines After the war.
It doesn't say they were made in Occupied Serbia.
It says, they were built on machines "set up" in Occupied serbia.
And that is True.
The Germans Occupied Serbia, set up the machines and never produced rifles, so the Yugoslavians used those machines After the war.
Ash
Member
Okay, so they lied only on the first part, about these being WWII Mauser rifles made during WWII. Yet, the tooling was not as it was installed since the M48 does not use the same receiver as the K98k (or any other M98 Mauser - it is NOT an M98 Mauser).
They also misldead badly. Caveat emptor, sure, but when you have a company that implies falsehoods and parses words, you have dishonesty.
They could not have sold these rifles for twice or more the going price if they had not bent the truth, implied a bunch of garbage, and then out right lied. A lie of omission is a lie all the same.
Or, more to the point, if you were to design a good butt-pad for a Remington 700 and Remington tried it out, and then began to crow to the world that your gun alterations/customizations performed on Remington 700 actions should be trusted above all others because you were involved in the design of the rifle itself, would you be lying? Perhaps not. Should we trust you? Never.
(That is not to say you do anything like Mitchells - in no way do I imply that you even would do that.)
A man who sold gas at a gas station on the way to Cape Canaveral in the 1960's should say he was involved in the space program? A hunting guide who sold sporting goods at Walmart next to Camp Pendleton should be trusted because of his Marine Corps experience?
They also misldead badly. Caveat emptor, sure, but when you have a company that implies falsehoods and parses words, you have dishonesty.
They could not have sold these rifles for twice or more the going price if they had not bent the truth, implied a bunch of garbage, and then out right lied. A lie of omission is a lie all the same.
Or, more to the point, if you were to design a good butt-pad for a Remington 700 and Remington tried it out, and then began to crow to the world that your gun alterations/customizations performed on Remington 700 actions should be trusted above all others because you were involved in the design of the rifle itself, would you be lying? Perhaps not. Should we trust you? Never.
(That is not to say you do anything like Mitchells - in no way do I imply that you even would do that.)
A man who sold gas at a gas station on the way to Cape Canaveral in the 1960's should say he was involved in the space program? A hunting guide who sold sporting goods at Walmart next to Camp Pendleton should be trusted because of his Marine Corps experience?
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Who cares if it is pre war or made after the war. The main thing is you can get a real nice rifle for 295 with a bunch of accessories worth over a hundred and will last generations. A set of back up sites for an AR from some cost more then this rifleThis is an older ad, but I still see M48s in excellent shape online for ~$270 (not from Mitchell's)
- They're calling it a Mauser 98K, trying to confuse people into thinking "WWII German".
- The crest is dated 1943 because it's from Tito, not because the rifle was made in 1943. :banghead:
- How can the rifles be preserved since WWII if they were made after WWII?
- The ad says German 3x and Serbia once, doesn't say Yugoslavia at all ...
and here is Mitchell again trying to confuse people into thinking that post war Yugo M48s are German 98Ks.
Looking at their website it appears that since Mitchell's got their hands on Russian capture real German 98ks that they've stopped trying to pawn off their M48s as WWII German Mausers. Now they're trying to pawn off Russian capture 98ks as normal 98ks and charging accordingly.
I paid $360 last year for a Russian capture 98k from a website that didn't try to mislead as to the rifle's origin. I'm no expert in 98ks, but to my understanding non Russian captures easily go for twice that. I got lucky and got one that still had the German markings intact, a receiver from 1938, and no Russian markings that I could find.
theotherwaldo
Member
Just like everything else in life - READ THE FINE PRINT!
GBExpat
Member
Unfortunately, the fundamental problem is that one cannot trust any "fine print" (or underlined print, for that matter) offered by Mitchell's Mausers to be true.
Radagast
Member
Just a point, that $295.00 price tag in the pic above? At the time you could get the same M48 from SARCO & similar companies for $120. Some sold them as low as $90 if you bought 5 and didn't require hand select.
IIRC there was a lot of controversy about the age of the M48s at the time. One gentleman on one of the milsurp forums had the timber on his scientifically dated, it was apparently no older than the late 1960s. Which gels with claims the M48 was produced into the 60s and put into storage as a reserve weapon.
Nothing wrong with the M48 as a rifle, they are an interesting variant of a proven design. Mitchell's? The guns they sell seem to be the best quality for what they are. It's the marketing hype/misdirection/untruths that I disagree with.
IIRC there was a lot of controversy about the age of the M48s at the time. One gentleman on one of the milsurp forums had the timber on his scientifically dated, it was apparently no older than the late 1960s. Which gels with claims the M48 was produced into the 60s and put into storage as a reserve weapon.
Nothing wrong with the M48 as a rifle, they are an interesting variant of a proven design. Mitchell's? The guns they sell seem to be the best quality for what they are. It's the marketing hype/misdirection/untruths that I disagree with.
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