The other day I made a post on here stating that I was looking at one to buy.. well I went ahead and got it. It's a RC I assume because it has electro-engraving on the bolt(did only the Russians do this?) It's a 1944 Gustloff-Werke, Weimar. I'm very happy with the purchase because this is a shooter for me and being my first Mauser I wasn't real concerned with matching #s. One question I have is about the cleaning rod, this one doesn't have one nor is there a place for one on the front band. Is this right? Did some not come with a cleaning rod? Can I add one if change the front band? Hope you enjoy the pics and thanks for the help.
Got my first Mauser K98.. few pics inside
- Thread starter muddcat
- Start date
- Status
Halal Pork
Member
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2010
- Messages
- 294
I can't answer your questions but nice rifle! Hope you enjoy it. I feel a bit sad and alone for being K98 Mauser-less.
cal30_sniper
Member
8x57 is really fun to shoot. There's something about the wartime K98 action, slightly rough yet still refined, and strong as all get out, that really makes you feel something special when you shoot it. If you haven't yet, you need to watch the movie "The Wind and the Lion". There's some great scenes of Sean Connery, playing "The Raisuli," making some incredible shots with a long barreled 98 Mauser. Not to mention, it's also an excellent movie.
You're rifle may actually be correct, even with the mismatched floorplate. The article I linked in your other thread said that the bcd guns in 1944 were more assembled from parts at that factory than actually machined there. Apparently it wasn't uncommon for those guns to not be completely numbers matching. The cleaning rod thing may be of a similar reason. I wonder, if you take that end cap off of the stock, is the stock itself drilled for a cleaning rod?
That's a very, very clean example of a WWII K98, it almost looks to have been refinished. How sharp are the edges of the stock? Does the metal protrude above the stock anywhere like its been sanded down and refinished?
I don't see any Russian capture marks. My brothers Israeli K98 was a RC. It has a hammer and sickle stamped right next to the Nazi eagle (the eagle was also partially obliterated). Of course, his also has a Jewish star of David stamped next to the other two. Talk about a rifle of equal opportunity employment...
You're rifle may actually be correct, even with the mismatched floorplate. The article I linked in your other thread said that the bcd guns in 1944 were more assembled from parts at that factory than actually machined there. Apparently it wasn't uncommon for those guns to not be completely numbers matching. The cleaning rod thing may be of a similar reason. I wonder, if you take that end cap off of the stock, is the stock itself drilled for a cleaning rod?
That's a very, very clean example of a WWII K98, it almost looks to have been refinished. How sharp are the edges of the stock? Does the metal protrude above the stock anywhere like its been sanded down and refinished?
I don't see any Russian capture marks. My brothers Israeli K98 was a RC. It has a hammer and sickle stamped right next to the Nazi eagle (the eagle was also partially obliterated). Of course, his also has a Jewish star of David stamped next to the other two. Talk about a rifle of equal opportunity employment...
Hopefully this weekend I will have time to remove that end cap and see if the hole is there. I don't think the stock has been refinished, no sharp edges, it has that smooth old feel to it. Hopefully this weekend I can tear down the rifle and get a closer look at some parts/ numbers. One thing I did see is that the swastika has been punched out in a few places.. I guess this was common with any capture
The cleaning rod is naturally short. I asked that question before when I had my Mauser. SOmebody told me that they were naturally short and that you had to borrow your buddies' cleanng rods to connect them together to create a long one.
gun addict
Member
edited, not sure about the front lug
Nice. I don't know what it is, but somehow the K98s seem to have the best feel of any iron-sighted rifle I've ever shouldered. They just fit me like nothing else. My brother has a K98 and I have a Yugo M24/47. IMO, the 24/47 is an amazing gun for the money, but just a notch below the K98 in terms of perfect fit and overall feel.
My dad reloads...so I plan to buy him a set of 8mm dies( are primers and bullets available right now?, I can't find anything in my .223 reloading supplies)
RPRNY
Member
NICE rifle! That's it for you though. Now comes madness. Chasing down obscure VZ versions, sneaking into Iran to smuggle out a rare M49, making shady back alley deals on Modelo 95s, and the rapture when you shoot your first 6.5x55 Swede. There's really no hope for you now, so enjoy. 
cal30_sniper
Member
I've looked for Large Rifle Primers in every major sporting goods store in San Antonio, Austin, and Houston for the last two weeks. No luck yet. 8mm bullets shouldn't be too hard to find though, not much of a run on those.
For loaded ammo, check out Prvi Partizan. Their 8x57 is loaded to actual European specs, and the brass is really good for reloading too. The Winchester and Remington ammo you see on the shelves is loaded more like a .30-30 than an 8x57.
RPRNY
Member
And the Sellier & Bellot 196gr SP. Cabelas had a bulk deal on some time ago, may be worth checking if still on.
soloban
Member
Reload your own! My VZ-24 prefers 200 grain bullets pushed as fast you can get them. 200gr Sierra Match Kings over a healthy dose of Varget.
cal30_sniper
Member
With what? If he doesn't already have a stash of primers and powder suitable for 8x57, he's not likely to find anymore for a long time.
I second the Sellier and Bellot as well. I like Prvi better, but the S&B is also loaded to European specs.
courtgreene
Member
Prvi brass works better for me than S&B. both shoot well, but I've had problems with s&b spc's not expanding on deer (if you plan to hunt with it). Thus, I started reloading... and the prvi brass was much better IMO.
I have never seen a mauser with the manufacture code and only a single number. Not sure about that,,,maybe the later models did that. Also, there is no bayonet lug, was that done away with in late models also? Where was the electropencil used and what was it used for? Just wondering
WYOMan
Member
Later war models were issued without cleaning rods, and the bayonet lug wasn't machined onto it, and the front lug was screwed onto the stock like yours is. The stock, if it matches the reciever, will not be drilled to accept a cleaning rod. The barrel bands went thru several changes as well. Yours are stamped, and welded. The last ones were simply screwed to the stock, because the band retaining spring was discontinued. By 1945, the bolt disassembly disk in the stock was replaced by a hole drilled in the butt plate, and the trigger guards and floorplates were stamped. I had a 1945 action once that looked like it was machined in a cave.
JT-AR-MG42
Member
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2010
- Messages
- 871
muddcat,
The front of the late 1944 - '45 Kriegsmodell stock was made without the relieved wood millwork to allow the bayonet lug to be fastened over it and secured with the through pin.
The stock has more value as is over a standard 98k stock. So my answer is no, you should not add a bayonet lug. And the main purpose of the cleaning rod was as a stacking rod. Although they could be connected in the 'buddy system', it would have been patches only as no threaded cleaning brushes were ever issued.
Troops were issued the 'tobacco tin' cleaning kits with the pull through chain with a brush, patches, solvent/oil bottle, and dis-assembly tool.
It is a good looking rig as is. Either the Russians or the previous owner made it look correct, although the serial might be a little early in 1944 for a KM. Does that outside stock RC added number match the serial number? Any markings on the stock disc or recoil lug bolt?
And while it is a RC, Gustloff was the only maker that has been noted as using a mix of Kriegsmodell features.
Interesting rifle.
If it were mine I would have to pull it apart just to see if the wood was numbered in the barrel channel or if the stock had been drilled for a cleaning rod.
If you do take it apart, one request. That partially visible barrel code and WaA13 proof is sticking in my mind as familiar. Just cannot recall where or on what I had seen that proof. Maybe a photo of it out of the wood?
JT
The front of the late 1944 - '45 Kriegsmodell stock was made without the relieved wood millwork to allow the bayonet lug to be fastened over it and secured with the through pin.
The stock has more value as is over a standard 98k stock. So my answer is no, you should not add a bayonet lug. And the main purpose of the cleaning rod was as a stacking rod. Although they could be connected in the 'buddy system', it would have been patches only as no threaded cleaning brushes were ever issued.
Troops were issued the 'tobacco tin' cleaning kits with the pull through chain with a brush, patches, solvent/oil bottle, and dis-assembly tool.
It is a good looking rig as is. Either the Russians or the previous owner made it look correct, although the serial might be a little early in 1944 for a KM. Does that outside stock RC added number match the serial number? Any markings on the stock disc or recoil lug bolt?
And while it is a RC, Gustloff was the only maker that has been noted as using a mix of Kriegsmodell features.
Interesting rifle.
If it were mine I would have to pull it apart just to see if the wood was numbered in the barrel channel or if the stock had been drilled for a cleaning rod.
If you do take it apart, one request. That partially visible barrel code and WaA13 proof is sticking in my mind as familiar. Just cannot recall where or on what I had seen that proof. Maybe a photo of it out of the wood?
JT
Last edited:
To answer your first question yes the numbers on the outside stock do match the receiver. I plan to get it apart this weekend and I will take many more pics of the numbers, markings ect. Thanks for the info you have me so far, I can already see why this can be so addictive, I'm already having a blast learning about the history of it. Like I said before this will be a shooter for me and I'm not too concerned about numbers matching.. just want to keep as original as possible.
Kp321
Member
I suggest you post your questions on Gunboards Forums, under the K98 forum. Several world class K98 experts hang out there.
The father of all modern bolt guns and still the best IMO.
The cleaning rods came in a couple of lengths. Not sure which you need but they are available for around $20 or so.
If you never heard the story, the Ruskies had hundreds of thousands of these in the 1980s during disarmament talks with the U.S. and as part of the deal they "disabled" these rifles in exchange for us deactivating some armaments. The disabling entailed losing the cleaning rods and capture screws. What a hoot.
The cleaning rods came in a couple of lengths. Not sure which you need but they are available for around $20 or so.
If you never heard the story, the Ruskies had hundreds of thousands of these in the 1980s during disarmament talks with the U.S. and as part of the deal they "disabled" these rifles in exchange for us deactivating some armaments. The disabling entailed losing the cleaning rods and capture screws. What a hoot.
Had a chance to tear down today, took plenty of pics. I know its a Semi Kriegmodell 44 Gustloff-Werke. With this being a "surplus" rifle I was pleasantly surprised at how little wear everything had. Hope you enjoy the album, Any other info you can gather from the pics feel free to critique and give input. http://s139.beta.photobucket.com/user/smurphy10/library/Mauser 98K 1944 BCD
- Status