Soviet captured K-98 Mausers--any good?

[Sir Galahad]

I see AIM Surplus has Soviet WW2 captured German K-98s for sale. Supposedly, the Soviets refurbished them and then stored them. Are these any good? I wonder what the bores look like? Are the missing parts? Anyone know?

 

[Tropical Z]

I got one from SOG that looks pretty dang good.Im not a Mauser expert so i couldnt tell you if mine is 100% authentic or not.Ive seen ads where they (?) specifically say "such and such" is not included.Cant remember what though.
www.southernohiogun.com

 

[telewinz]

I got one from Aim for $199 about a year ago, the first week they came out. Its a good value for the money, bore was mint but the reblueing was poorly done (looks like a spray paint job) and the stock was in only good condition. Two small tigger guard screws were missing as was the cleaning rod. I touched-up the blueing with matt black spray paint (perfect match) and redid the stock (laminated) with true-oil. Its not all matching but all in all the 1937 kar98k is at least a good shooter with a little history. My only other choice was $500 and up for a "collectable" war trophy at the gunshows. Due to the nature of these Russian trophies, you can pretty well bet these Kars saw "action" on the Russian front in WW2, their history has to be worth something. Until I learn differently, mine was at Stalingrad in '43.

 

[cwalker3]

I bought three from Aim last September. All were missing the sight hoods, trigger guard screws and cleaning rods. (These can be purchased from http://www.e-gunparts.com/) Bluing was a little sloppy on two of the three and all had the crappy Russian shellac applied. On mine, all parts were correct, but some parts were blued which shouldn't have been. Two of the three had the swastikas peened, but all other markings were intact. The bores on all three were bright and shiny with sharp rifling.

And as telewinz said, the fact that they were Russian captured pretty much guarantees that they saw action during the war. So if you're looking for something with some history behind it, and don't have the money to spend on a bring-back, I'd definitely go for it.

 

[buttrap]

Well for the price you will get a decent K-98 as if you want a nicer one its going to run you about 800-1000 bucks. Nobody gives away a K-98 now for under 500 bucks unless you want a mismatched beater. These Red army captures are probably the best K-98 deal in the past 30 years.

 

[WVleo]

Hi, I have what appears to be a bring-back bfy 43 . The original stock was BUBBAed for hunting purposes I suppose ,but it has all the proof marks ,eagle holding a swaztika in its talons . I got it in a gun trade about 1 year ago . would it be worth buying a original stock for it and turning back to army issue . Any thoughts would be helpful........WVleo

 

[telewinz]

WVleo

Since you can get good WW2 German laminated stocks from Numich Arms or Sarco for under $100, if it were my rifle and in half way decent condition I'd convert it by to military specs. As I said above I have a 1937 Kar from Aim, I just placed an order for the trigger guard lock screws (2) and the 10.5 inch cleaning rod. Opted not to get the front sight hood since I've seen alot of pics of WW2 German troops without the hood installed. IMHO its worth returning to its original configuration, costs me less than $20 to do so. Unfortunely the swastikas have peened, but you have to look real close to detect it(I'd hate to be the poor ruskie that had to do the peening)

 

[Tropical Z]

OK,i looked at mine and its missing the cleaning rod and sight hood.I have the two screws with the 3 little scoops out of them behind the trigger guard and up in front of the magazine.Are these the screws others are missing?

 

[telewinz]

Yep, they are called lock screws and go for about 1.50 each, the 10.5 inch cleaning rod goes for about $12. I couldn't locate the front site hood but as I stated many WW2 pics show the Kars without the hood or cleaning rod.

 

[Sir Galahad]

Thanks guys! They sound like good deals!