I'm New to these forums, I just picked up a K98 Mauser from my buddy at work. I didn't pay $$ for it, I ended up trading a box of paintballs and a new barrel for the guys paintball marker in exchange for the Mauser. I guess it's up to you guys to see if it was a good deal.
Anyway, I'll get some pictures soon and hopefully i can get a little more info on it from the Mauser gods on the forums.
Me and my brother were starting up a firearms restoration business and this was going to be our first victim. except this mauser is too nice for me to do anything to.

Steve

Welcome! I would say you made out very well. I'd love to see it. Jim

Welcome to the forum Steve. Rules are simple, be nice and join in.

Here's a little that may help you on Mauserology.

The Long and Short of Mauser Actions

There are four basic sizes of Mauser actions. Two of these are rather uncommon and two of them are quite common. Mauser actions have been manufactured by a large number of companies in many different countries for over 100 years.

While the following guidelines are accurate, they are not to be taken as absolute. There are exceptions to every rule. The most common actions you will find are known as large ring and small ring actions. The term “ring” when it applies to a Mauser action refers to the area at the front of the receiver into which the barrel shank is threaded.

Mauser actions utilize two ring sizes. A small ring action has basically the same external profile from front to rear. The outside diameter of the action at the front ring will be 1.3" across. The large ring action has a slight step or swell at the front of the action and the ring will measure 1.410" across.

The smallest factory Mauser actions are the Short, or “Kurz” actions, that were made by Mauser for the commercial market prior to WWII. Almost all of these were small ring actions, although at least one specimen of large ring Kurz exists. These are true 98 pattern actions that cock on opening. The bolts, receivers, firing pins, extractors and bottom metal are unique to that model and are not interchangeable with other Mauser actions. The overall length of the actions is about 8.125". These actions are among the most uncommon Mausers, quite rare and highly desirable to collectors.

The next size larger is the so-called “intermediate” size action of which there are several examples. The most common of these are the 1893-1895 Spanish Mausers and the 1894-1896 Swedish Mausers. These are the pre-98- style, small ring Mausers that have the long, non-rotating Mauser extractor, familiar ejector box on the left side (rear) of the receiver and the enclosed staggered-round magazine

They lack the third (safety) locking lug at the rear of the bolt near the bolt handle root and they cock on closing. The bolt shroud at the rear of the bolt does not have the gas deflection flange of the M98 shroud. These actions have an overall length of about 8.5".

Slightly less common intermediate size actions are the 1910, 1924, 1936 Mexican, and the 1924 Yugoslavian. These are also about 8.5" long but have the features of the true 98 pattern action. They cock on opening, have the rear safety lug, and have the 98- style “flanged” shroud on the bolt. The 1910 and 1936 Mexican actions are small ring actions while the 1924 Mexican and Yugoslavian actions are large ring. Parts on all four of these actions are for the most part interchangeable; bolts, bottom metal, firing pins, etc.

The third size of actions is the “standard” size action. This action is approximately 8.750" long. It is a true 98 pattern, will cock on opening and has the third locking lug near the bolt handle. It also features the bolt shroud with an external gas flange that was designed to deflect escaping gas away from the shooter in the event of a blown case. This is the action most commonly encountered today on military 98 rifles, converted 98 sporters, and 98 pattern commercial rifles like the Interarms Mark X. They are found in both large and small ring configuration. Nearly all parts are interchangeable between these actions. This action was used as the basis for Mauser military 98's by dozens of countries and millions have been produced. They are still popular today for building sporting rifles.

The fourth size of Mauser action is the Magnum size action. These were built in limited numbers by Mauser and are slightly over nine inches in overall length. Magnum-sized, Mauser-type actions have also been built by other manufacturers like Brevex (France), BBK (Korea), and others. Each of these actions is unique to the manufacturer and parts are not interchangeable. These are not commonly encountered and original Mauser specimens are desirable to collectors.
This has been a short list of the different sizes of Mauser that you will encounter. If you are in doubt as to which type you own, get a good set of calipers and measure the front action ring then refer to the text. If you are looking for more information on the Mauser Rifle then get yourself a copy of the book, Mauser Bolt Rifles by Ludwig Olson. This outstanding book is the absolute best and most complete source for information on Mauser Rifles It’s available from Brownells.

I'm New to these forums, I just picked up a K98 Mauser from my buddy at work. I didn't pay $$ for it, I ended up trading a box of paintballs and a new barrel for the guys paintball marker in exchange for the Mauser. I guess it's up to you guys to see if it was a good deal.
Anyway, I'll get some pictures soon and hopefully i can get a little more info on it from the Mauser gods on the forums.
Me and my brother were starting up a firearms restoration business and this was going to be our first victim. except this mauser is too nice for me to do anything to.

Steve

It the rifle still original, or has it been sporterized? Post pictures when you can. Take care...
Oberndorf

It the rifle still origianl, or has it been sporterized? Post pictures when you can. Take care...
Oberndorf


???????? :eek: Jim!!
For The price of paintballs and a marker barrel it does not matter. Try spell check!

Yes, the rifle is still original. Very good condition. But we had plans on sporterizing the gun and selling it for some extra money, I haven't decided if I'm going that route yet.

We're still in the process of change over. Hunting season is coming and the offices are pretty busy. Plus the gun has a 4 or 5 digit serial number, they came back saying that a bunch of other guns have the same serial. It'll take them time to sort out which is which and verify the Mauser. Thanks for the info, I've been looking at as many Mauser posts as I could find.

Oh ya, I can't get pictures until i actually get the rifle, hopefully sometime next week.

If it is an original, unaltered K98, you will most likely get MORE money for it by NOT sporterizing it.

If it is an original, unaltered K98, you will most likely get MORE money for it by NOT sporterizing it.


Unaltered military rifles have considerably more interest and value. Take care...
Oberndorf

???????? :eek: Jim!!
For The price of paintballs and a marker barrel it does not matter. Try spell check!

When I find spellcheck on this computer, I will certainly use it. Take care...
Oberndorf

The "low" serial number does not matter. Mauser production typically was only 4-5 digits; often with a letter code. At the end of, say, 9,999 rifles, the next letter code kicked in, and started from scratch again.

Starting the next year, the process repeats. Find out the year stamping, and the manufacturer's stamping (ie byf, or some other three letter code), and that will give you a better idea on how rare / desireable it is.

So a serial number of 1234 isn't necessarily at the beginning of a year's production run.

Oh and if it doesn't have an import stamp - a true vet bringback, in other words - it may be worth a lot more than you think.

Cruise the gun action boards and you'll find quite a variety of prices. At the bottom of the barrel are the mis-matched Russian capture rebuilds; prices on original vet-bringbacks are another matter.

No, we don't have spell-check; heck, grammer-check would be a good thing too! :p

I doubt this is in any way a rare or desirable rifle. The guy was going to bring it to a consignment shop and let it go for 150 before he traded it to me. The guy wouldn't let go of his good mauser, the one with all the nazi markings

Don't underestimate the value of the auser just because it is not as rare as one with Nazi markings.It still may be an origional "captured"and brought home.
By the way;Welcome aboard.
Frank

Don't underestimate the value of the auser just because it is not as rare as one with Nazi markings.It still may be an origional "captured"and brought home.
By the way;Welcome aboard.
Frank

Frank is right. I had a 1942 That was a common manufacturer (byf), but it was a vet bring back, all original (complete) including sling and bayonet, all matching in excellent condition. But, It would not shoot strait. Crown was perfect, the entire rifle was perfect. My Gunsmith had bought it off the 80+ year old gentleman that brought it back. We worked on the rifle, loads, everything. 10" groups is all it had to give. I paid $150.00 and after 3 years of Work (none that altered the rifle permanently) I sold it for $350.00. That same rifle today would go for 500.00++. I have had a similar experience w/ a 1942 Arisaka 99. Same deal as the Mauser. If it is not a shooter (which I look for) and you don't collect, see what you can get, and get what you want. I replaced the '98 with a arsenal new M48a ($200.00) which has a serial # that is way past any # that I, or members of surplus rifle have seen or cataloged. It is perfect and a pure shooter. I have moved onto Swede's now. Mausers do rule, but an Enfield or 91/30 will give them a run for the money. Jim

I deal with a lot of sales representatives every day and they know I collect guns. An older fellow asked if I wanted to buy his Uncle Joe's VZ-24 that was given to him. I was impressed since he is not a gun person. When I asked how he knew it was a VZ-24, he told me that was what was written on the capture paper signed by Uncle Joe's company commander in WWII. I bought the VZ-24 for $50. I also have a Japanese Type 99 with the capture papers and do not recall what I paid for the rifle. All the best...
Gil