DOU 42 K98k Restoration - in progress
- Thread starter CRMausr7
- Start date
Bob in OHIO
Senior Member
I like it too, it’s pretty randy /dandy. You might flip the recoil bolt around as its installed 180 degrees off the mark.
Where did you get the stock, and what did the ‘smith charge for his work?
Where did you get the stock, and what did the ‘smith charge for his work?
waw44
Member
OK, the new barrel killed collectability, but you could have at least kept it more correct looking.
As it is now:
- The stock looks like a bleached/sanded slab.
- The cheap ebay takedown disk just looks like a washer stuck in there.
- No idea why you replaced the upped band, but it's wrong for a dou 42
- The new trigger guard is wrong for a k98k
Sorry. I'm all for projects and restorations, but this could have gone better.
Zeppelin5000
Senior Member
I'd have to agree....
I like the before photo better. You'll probably find that most people here are purists, even of the rifle isn't matching/correct, they at least like it to look the part. This one falls short of that. That's my opinion of course.
waw44
Member
So I will need to apologize for that one. I just saw your thread where you did ask which band is correct and that the answer for the particular production block of your rifle was a solid band.
runner
Senior Member
The trigger guard, with the hole for a removable swivel is for a Mauser with a bottom mounted sling, Gew. 98 or Standard Modell for example. Your rifle needs a milled trigger guard without the hole.
As a collector’s forum, it is my opinion/observation that members routinely buy rifles with no intention of shooting them, although most have at least one range rifle, usually a RC or other mixmaster. I understand the desire to have a nice shooter, and if you had started with just a receiver and then added new barrel, stock, bands, etc. you would probably have received more positive comments, but on a collector focused forum you are generally going to get beat up for replacing an original part, even if that part is in poor condition. Candidly if I am looking to add one to the collection, the bore is the last thing I concern myself with, but that is just me, others approach it differently.
Now that you have a nice range rifle, if you want to add to your collection, you can focus on more original examples.
good luck
Humbarger
Senior Member
Zeppelin5000
Senior Member
As I mentioned, you'll mainly find purists here... What you'll get are opinions, no ones purposely being mean.
I appreciate the honesty and opinions of you all. While I don't regret returning this rifle to serviceable condition, I have decided that I could take the restoration a little bit further to really get it looking right. But I need help... What can I do to color my stock and takedown disc so they more closely resemble a wartime K98?
Thank you for the information about the trigger guard. I have the proper style of trigger guard on order, and I will be installing it on the rifle when it arrives. This rifle was a mixmaster when I bought it, but I went through it with a fine-tooth comb and replaced the mis-numbered parts with unmarked armorer's units. I went with a reproduction stock because I couldn't afford an original stock at the time, and couldn't find an un-numbered one that hadn't been sanded.
heavy_mech
RKI- Reasonably Knowledgable Individual
As was stated above, none of us are being intentionally mean... at least I don't think so. I know I come off as an a$$ sometimes, probably because I am.
I don't see any photos of what your rifle looks like, but if you do some searching (or maybe someone will provide a link) there are threads about real German oils or stains that are period correct. I'm not a big BLO fan on these K98s but you'll find folks who are. I've used Howards Feed and whatever and I believe Ham also believes in it although I loath to put words in his mouth. I've said that I treated 'problem' stocks with it and after a week or so you couldn't tell I applied anything. My point in that is it does not seem to leave any kind of 'oily' residue. At least in my experience.
On a MINT, untouched stock I'd do nothing.... One someone has already f'd up and bleached or chemically stripped. Yeah
heavy_mech
RKI- Reasonably Knowledgable Individual
I hear you. The days of the 250-400 minty, matching stocks and metal are LONG gone.
No kidding. I was just looking on eBay, and some people are asking $600 - 700 for matching numbered stock sets! I could buy a Yugo reworked K98 complete from J&G sales for about $500...
Apology accepted. Though in hindsight, I should've asked about the trigger guard when I was originally gathering parts for the restoration... It would've saved me having to buy multiple trigger guards before finally getting the proper style.
heavy_mech
RKI- Reasonably Knowledgable Individual
It looks good. Really good actually. What do you want to do to it? Or was that an older question? If you search you can probably find some discussions regarding Howard's. If you use the gun and take it into the out of doors, you might end up needing to do something. Not really trying to advocate you do anything, it's just something I've done.
Thank you. Basically, I'd like to get the stock (in particular the takedown disc) to more closely resemble something of WW2 vintage, without having it all beat up and ragged-looking. I don't really take the rifle out of my safe as often as I should, as I need to have my gunsmith do a bit of fitting to the handguard so it doesn't work its way loose. I'm hoping to get that addressed soon so I can take it to the firing line again.
Last edited:
