bcd 41 - Salvageable? And another question.

[Warrior1354]

I hear and understand you. However there's no provenance that this even happened in theater. Here's the bitch. I'm getting really tired of all the 'you're destroying history' shite. What phucking history?? Baby momma ran the rifle over in the driveway in 1987 cuz he was leaving her? What's the provenance on that? Let him fix the phucking rifle already. Sorry if I see so pissed off but it's like the shite is already broke. Hitler didn't break it. Patton didn't break it. Stop already Tell me how everyone decided this was an in theater occurrence.

RHA I'm not hating on you specifically but I keep seeing this bullshit on so many gun sites.... 'you're destroying history'. What history??? Cutting up a 60 dollar Mosin?

Do not get me started on that topic HM! I hear it all the time "I can't believe you cleaned up that surface rust and grime off that rare Mauser." That's history? That 100 year's plus of neglect being left in some closest, attic, damp basement is important? There is a big difference from preserving history to destroying history. Here are a few examples of some Gew 98 rifles that I have cleaned this year do you think I should have left them in their present condition? After all that spider nest in the stock is history.

Oh and one of them had a clipped firing pin according to some I should have left it that way. But you know what I had the original matching firing pin fixed and the rifle shoot's again. Which is what the rifle was built for as battle rifle not a neglected piece that was hung in a legion hall that had over 100 years of crap on it.

 

[heavy_mech]

The story of how it got in this condition is in this thread.

I saw but relooked thinking I must have missed something? Post war.. Uncle.. 2nd hand story. Post war... 10-15 behind door; all bent. No bolt and bent barrel. Never heard or saw anything like this. He must have been in the only unit that ever required this?? Or maybe just him? Maybe his CO thought he was a loon? Anyway so he had to 'pull the bolt and bend the barrel'. Got it. But what about the smashed middle? Something doesn't make sense. Fix it, not fix it. I can see ZERO upside to leaving that smashed POS laying around. Maybe with a vets story of watching some Russians beat Hitler to death with it?

 

[RHA]

I saw but relooked thinking I must have missed something? Post war.. Uncle.. 2nd hand story. Post war... 10-15 behind door; all bent. No bolt and bent barrel. Never heard or saw anything like this. He must have been in the only unit that ever required this?? Or maybe just him? Maybe his CO thought he was a loon? Anyway so he had to 'pull the bolt and bend the barrel'. Got it. But what about the smashed middle? Something doesn't make sense. Fix it, not fix it. I can see ZERO upside to leaving that smashed POS laying around. Maybe with a vets story of watching some Russians beat Hitler to death with it?

I used the word "story" purposely.
If you read my post it included this part:

"Story told by uncle who shipped them home was that he was required to remove the bolt and bend the barrel before shipping. Uncle was not allowed to ship working rifles.
This is contrary to what I have seen and read elsewhere but the uncle has long passed, so this version is the 'truth' of this rifles history. "

As I said, the owner is also reaching out (I hope) to his brothers and may fill in some gaps in the story. Even at 80 y.o., he was a kid when his uncle told the story.

Smashed middle? Stock is cracked from the twisting of the guard. There is a sizeable dent in the forend, but it is not "smashed".

FWIW - I went to this auction to buy this rifle, cause I knew it would be inexpensive as a project.
If the project fails the option always exists to take it apart and sell the pieces.
Thought at this point, I do believe I'll be shooting it within a couple of weeks.

 

[RHA]

I hear and understand you. However there's no provenance that this even happened in theater. Here's the bitch. I'm getting really tired of all the 'you're destroying history' shite. What phucking history?? Baby momma ran the rifle over in the driveway in 1987 cuz he was leaving her? What's the provenance on that? Let him fix the phucking rifle already. Sorry if I see so pissed off but it's like the shite is already broke. Hitler didn't break it. Patton didn't break it. Stop already Tell me how everyone decided this was an in theater occurrence.

RHA I'm not hating on you specifically but I keep seeing this bullshit on so many gun sites.... 'you're destroying history'. What history??? Cutting up a 60 dollar Mosin?

heavy,

No worries.
I take a LOT of rifles apart. Heck, I have at least 40 Mauser actions and barreled actions floating around here. (Mostly Argentines and various small ring 98s)
All had some boring history.

But when I DO find something interesting, I go online and find information and ask questions before I take them apart. Those go off to new owners as I found them. Ex-snipers, rare variants, whatever. I have enough Mausers I don't need to take apart something someone wants to save.

In this case the next owner of this rifle will get the full history WHILE IN MY POSSESSION. I will not conceal the repairs I have done. I will also include a spare 98k barrel for those worried about the condition of this one.

While i have take a lot of guns apart, I also have saved dozens. Either by selling to others, or repairing/renovating them myself.

 

[heavy_mech]

Thanks to Jordan and the OP. I was about to do a sanity check. It's got more to do with me (and a close personal and Army friend) being barraged by the exact complaint Jordan mentioned.. "I can't believe you..." It gets beyond ridiculous at some point. Spiderwebs are not 'history'. Pigeon shite from being stored in a coop the last 4 decades is not 'patina'. It's not 'erasing history'. All this is my opinion of course but it's sometimes nice to hear you're not a complete loon.

For the OP. I've been watching it since the beginning and I applaud both your skill and vision. I think it's perfectly fine and I would not hesitate to fire it. Please post it up when finished.

 

[heavy_mech]

Smashed middle? Stock is cracked from the twisting of the guard. There is a sizeable dent in the forend, but it is not "smashed".

Yes my bad. Poor choice of words. "Minor, nonstructural crack to stock"? That might be an auction description

 

[RHA]

Honestly, it is minor.
I have repaired stocks broken completely thru the wrist in heavy calibers such as .375H&H that are still going strong.

That said, when I sell such items I always include before, during and after pictures. I want people to know the repairs were done correctly.

 

[racerlee]

For the OP. I've been watching it since the beginning and I applaud both your skill and vision. I think it's perfectly fine and I would not hesitate to fire it. Please post it up when finished.

^^^+1 on this^^^

 

[RHA]

Done for now, until I can test fire.
Reassembled after wiping down all metal surfaces with some light oil.

All of the glued surfaces held firm and nearly invisible.
"Flattened" the bottom of the guard, as I had shaped it a bit rounder than it should be.
There is a gap next the guard where the wood was stretched for 75+ years.
Have not installed the sling or sight hood. Did remember to reinstall the cleaning rod....after taking the pictures.

 

[heavy_mech]

You did a great job with that! Can the front band slide back another 1/8"? Doesn't appear to be all the way back? Thoughts on trying to blend in the white areas? Maybe something like brown shoe polish? Still it looks fantastic as is! Congrats!

 

[RHA]

Yes, band will slide back.
I left a bit short as I know it will have to come apart again.
Also why the sling and sight hood were left off.

 

[heavy_mech]

Yes, band will slide back.
I left a bit short as I know it will have to come apart again.
Also why the sling and sight hood were left off.

Ahh. Makes sense. There's a few white spots. What are those I was wondering? Please don't think I'm nitpicking your work. It's great! Just curious.

 

[RHA]

Not sure about "white spots" as I am not seeing them??

Maybe lighting that is hiliting something?

 

[heavy_mech]

Not sure about "white spots" as I am not seeing them??

Maybe lighting that is hiliting something?

I don't know what they are?

 

[RHA]

Ah!

Nicks and scuffs. Some worse than others.
Haven't done any cleaning of the parts yet.
They will pretty much "disappear" with a wipe down using mineral spirits.