How to find a K98

O

overjoi

Member
Where can you find a legitimate K98 today, besides Mitchell's?

Something I can trust is not an altered M24/47, made between '39 - '45 (preferably Sauer & Sohn), and will comfortably fire a few rounds?

Not worried about matching serial numbers or cleanliness. Just functioning and authentic.

Thanks for any direction down the right path.
 
Don't buy from Mitchell's those aren't even legitimate K98K rifles. If your wanting to find one for your collection some come up for sale on the forum, try auctions, gun shows you never know what's going to come in that door, and luck a good one will turn up for you when you least expect it. :thumbsup:
 
If you want a legitimate shooter check out what Military Torch has. If you are in the game to collect fully matching K98k's, take a deep breath, and step back from the precipice. A standard analogy is, always buy books before guns. Educate yourself. Sit back and read this forum for about a year or so. It will save you potentially thousands of dollars. K98k's are the most faked, falsely stamped, lied about and outright bastardized by those who care nothing of their history. Oh, and Don Mitchell of Mitchells Mausers, is their king. Steer clear of Mitchells Mausers unless you actually enjoy pissing your money away to a fraud.

If, as you state in your thread that all you want is a functioning rifle, I highly recommend a Russian capture (commonly referred to as an RC). Advertise here you are seeking one.

Welcome to the forum.

KJ
 
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I usually learn the fastest after I buy my first one and study that one. So, the first one should be cheap. So if it is a mistake it is money well spent. And it can still be a good shooter.
Save the collector grade ones for later. I like shooters.
 
Great advice, - MT is a first rate collector, as trustworthy as you will find, you can also make the trader section of this forum your "home page" for awhile, many good deals pop up there. You just have to be quick, as the best deals last as long as a beer stays cold in Florida during August.

Kammerjaeger said:
If you want a legitimate shooter check out what Military Torch has. If you are in the game to collect fully matching K98k's, take a deep breath, and step back from the precipice. A standard analogy is, always buy books before guns. Educate yourself. Sit back and read this forum for about a year or so. It will save you potentially thousands of dollars. K98k's are the most faked, falsely stamped, lied about and outright bastardized by those who care nothing of their history. Oh, and Don Mitchell of Mitchells Mausers, is their king. Steer clear of Mitchells Mausers unless you actually enjoy pissing your money away to a fraud.

Welcome to the forum.

KJ
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Thanks everyone for the quick responses. This is great input.

I'm looking for something collectible, but I'm not setting my bar as high as some of the experts here. When I say I'm looking for something that can shoot, I just don't want something that would be too precious (or dangerous) to use.

I want to hold something that would have been manufactured prior to '45 and isn't modified from a different rifle, sanded, polished and re-stained to look like a 21st century toy. I don't mind if it has mismatched serials or a bit of cosmoline in the cracks.
 
If, as you state in your thread that all you want is a functioning rifle, I highly recommend a Russian capture (commonly referred to as an RC). Advertise here you are seeking one.

Welcome to the forum.

KJ[/QUOTE]

I agree with KJ, I think a Russian capture rifle would be the perfect K98k for you to start with. Their not too bad on prices and they are collectable and mine was a great shooter. My first K98K I bought was a Russian capture BNZ code and that's how I got my K98k collection started with that one. I bought the books and learned the codes and the markings on that rifle to find out who made it, where was it made, where was it used. Studying and learning is the best way to avoid getting burned, start out small then look for the collectible ones when you know what to look for it.
 
Collecting legit K98ks is right up there with studying brain surgery or atomic science that's for sure. After three years of it I know barely enough to get by. Might I suggest the two books, Karabiner 98k and Kriiegesmodell. No novice or collector should be without them. Hopefully Volume 2 will be done shortly.
 
Kammerjaeger said:
If you want a legitimate shooter check out what Military Torch has. If you are in the game to collect fully matching K98k's, take a deep breath, and step back from the precipice. A standard analogy is, always buy books before guns. Educate yourself. Sit back and read this forum for about a year or so. It will save you potentially thousands of dollars. K98k's are the most faked, falsely stamped, lied about and outright bastardized by those who care nothing of their history. Oh, and Don Mitchell of Mitchells Mausers, is their king. Steer clear of Mitchells Mausers unless you actually enjoy pissing your money away to a fraud.

If, as you state in your thread that all you want is a functioning rifle, I highly recommend a Russian capture (commonly referred to as an RC). Advertise here you are seeking one.

Welcome to the forum.

KJ
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If you're looking for a K98K that is comprised of parts (non-matching) that were used during WWII, would a Russian Capture fulfill that?
 
Yes, within the scope of your question. Any RC will be made up of parts made in Germany between 1933-1945. By definition, they were captured by the Soviets, disassemble, re-blued, the stocks varnished and then re-assembled with absolutely no regard as to matching numbers or makes. cleaning rods and capture screws were mostly melted down as scrap and not reinstalled. An RC is the best place to start, IMO. They are the real deal, shoot well, plus you can teach yourself how to assemble and disassemble and work on them without worrying that you are damaging a museum piece!!
 
I have several RCs to sell. These are not the common RCs. They have been reassembled using parts with all matching WaA to the rec. I have a variety of dates and maker codes.
Many/most do not have the RC X.
Email me.
Sarge
 
Warrior1354 said:
Don't buy from Mitchell's those aren't even legitimate K98K rifles. If your wanting to find one for your collection some come up for sale on the forum, try auctions, gun shows you never know what's going to come in that door, and luck a good one will turn up for you when you least expect it. :thumbsup:
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New guy here, how exactly are Mitchell's not legitimate K98 rifles ?
 
The stocks are sanded and refinished. Parts have been renumbered to match. Bolts have frequently been polished to be shiny. Metal has been reblued. Any historical value has been eliminated. And you pay that company money to do that. There are better ways to waste the money.
 
FickenNeuMann said:
New guy here, how exactly are Mitchell's not legitimate K98 rifles ?
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Recently I was bit by the K98k bug, and damn did Mitchell's Mausers (MM) seem like an awesome deal!

However, after using the search feature on a couple different forums (including this one here), I came across threads like these (http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?265453-Mitchell-s-Mausers). To say I was disappointed was an understatement. :(
At least my wallet was happy!

But yeah, basically from what I understand, they purchase typical Russian Capture (RC) K98ks, sand down the stock through the finish, grinds down any mismatch/force matched parts and restamps them to match, shines up the bolt to an inaccurate "in the white" finish, and several other methods to make a RC K98k "prettier". Next, they try to pass them off as original K98ks found in storage bunkers overseas, or in a crate in a veterans attic, or other cool-sounding locations to the inexperienced/unknowing (actually heard these stories at gun-shows).

After learning that, I saved my pennies and bought a 237 code 1940 Russian Capture, which is held in much better regard to the eyes of collectors when compared to Mitchell's Mausers. Great shooter, and after cleaning the shellac off with duct-tape, looks a lot more authentic than a MM K98k, and in my opinion, much cooler. They aren't as tricky to find as you'd think, unless you're picky and what a specific code, wood type, year, etc. Shoots great, has an interesting history, as other users said they're great starter K98k's, and I got mine for a little bit less than what MM is selling his K98ks for. Just got to keep your eyes peeled and be ready for an opportunity to fall in your lap.

Hope this helps, welcome to the forum, and good luck!
 
stcappelli said:
Recently I was bit by the K98k bug, and damn did Mitchell's Mausers (MM) seem like an awesome deal!

However, after using the search feature on a couple different forums (including this one here), I came across threads like these (http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?265453-Mitchell-s-Mausers). To say I was disappointed was an understatement. :(
At least my wallet was happy!

But yeah, basically from what I understand, they purchase typical Russian Capture (RC) K98ks, sand down the stock through the finish, grinds down any mismatch/force matched parts and restamps them to match, shines up the bolt to an inaccurate "in the white" finish, and several other methods to make a RC K98k "prettier". Next, they try to pass them off as original K98ks found in storage bunkers overseas, or in a crate in a veterans attic, or other cool-sounding locations to the inexperienced/unknowing (actually heard these stories at gun-shows).

After learning that, I saved my pennies and bought a 237 code 1940 Russian Capture, which is held in much better regard to the eyes of collectors when compared to Mitchell's Mausers. Great shooter, and after cleaning the shellac off with duct-tape, looks a lot more authentic than a MM K98k, and in my opinion, much cooler. They aren't as tricky to find as you'd think, unless you're picky and what a specific code, wood type, year, etc. Shoots great, has an interesting history, as other users said they're great starter K98k's, and I got mine for a little bit less than what MM is selling his K98ks for. Just got to keep your eyes peeled and be ready for an opportunity to fall in your lap.

Hope this helps, welcome to the forum, and good luck!
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Yup, unfortunately I am one of those noobs who bought a mitchell's. It was my first Milsurp actually, 1941 J.P Sauer und Sohn. It's just like you said, a Soviet capture that mitchell's "pimp shines", restamps the parts to "match" and sells off as original and 100% numbers matching.

Honestly, it seems Mitchell's does what most people do to their Soviet captures anyway. They get rid of the "awful" shellac and bluing and just clean them up in general. The real problem I have with them is the outright fraudulent advertising they use.
 
FickenNeuMann said:
Yup, unfortunately I am one of those noobs who bought a mitchell's. It was my first Milsurp actually, 1941 J.P Sauer und Sohn. It's just like you said, a Soviet capture that mitchell's "pimp shines", restamps the parts to "match" and sells off as original and 100% numbers matching.

Honestly, it seems Mitchell's does what most people do to their Soviet captures anyway. They get rid of the "awful" shellac and bluing and just clean them up in general. The real problem I have with them is the outright fraudulent advertising they use.
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I agree, and I think most other users on here would too. I was really shocked and confused when I first started researching, because Mitchell's website/advertisement seemed really well put together and legit.

Despite the hate they usually get, I've found the MM K98ks shoot great, and look pretty good (minding the shined bolt/sanded stock). Just look at it this way, you have a nice shooter that can make a great deer-gun, range-toy, or just something to hold you over while you research your next K98k purchase.

Happy shooting!
 
stcappelli said:
I agree, and I think most other users on here would too. I was really shocked and confused when I first started researching, because Mitchell's website/advertisement seemed really well put together and legit.

Despite the hate they usually get, I've found the MM K98ks shoot great, and look pretty good (minding the shined bolt/sanded stock). Just look at it this way, you have a nice shooter that can make a great deer-gun, range-toy, or just something to hold you over while you research your next K98k purchase.

Happy shooting!
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Definitely, mine shoots great and the polished up action is butter smooth, definitely my shooter while I look for my next K98 !

Thanks man !
 
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