PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post

pj67coll · #2 04-09-2007, 12:03 PM

I have four Mauser K98's. German WWII. And numerous other Model 98 Mausers. They are the best bolt action rifle ever made. Be careful though. Don't know how clued up you are on these things but there are a lot of people advertising variations of K98's falsely. The Model 1898 action which was taken into service by the German's in 1898 has been made in many variations by different manufacturers since then. In particular FN in Belgium, CZ in Czechoslovakia and a few others. These all predated the K98 which was the shortened version if the WWI Gewehr 98, made by the Germans from 1935 until 1945.

The actual K98's I have are what are termed "Russian capture". They were captured in the millions by the Reds at the end of WWII and slapped together from giant spare parts piles in the 1950's. I got them from J&G in Prescott AZ for $189:00 each but sadly the supply seems to have dried up.

I have acquired a couple thousand rounds of surplus Turkish and Rumanian ammo for very cheap but you can buy commercial rounds for about the price of 30 06 ammo. You can also find some original WWII German ammo at gunshows. Beware though that all the surpluss ammo is corrosive and requires decent cleaning after shooting.

They are an interesting rifle to take to the range. They are not a target rifle. They are designed for combat and as such ruggedness and reliablity are more relevant than accuracy. Many people complain about the sights, but in my opinion this just makes them more interesting to shoot.

Beware. A genuine K98 will have a handguard that does not go further back than the front of the rear sight. Also. They will have turned down bolts and german markings on them that other's will not have.

There is a company called Mitchells Mausers that sells Yugoslavian M48's which are NOT a K98, though they are a very good Model 98 rifle. Mitchells may have gotten their hands on a few K98's now as well but some folks in the suplus rifle community were critical of them some time back for advertising M48's as a K98 type rifle when they are not.

For a good genuine K98 $400.00 sounds like a steal at todays prices.

- Peter.