Inherited 1937 mauser k 98 s/42. Need more information
- Thread starter KingJames713
- Start date
KingJames713
Member
Having trouble posting most of the pictures due to file size.
KingJames713
Member
Zeppelin5000
Senior Member
This should be in the Nazi period section, but it's a 1937 Mauser-Oberndorf produced rifle. Unfortunately it was sporterized, stock cut and is missing serialized parts.
Thanks, just moved this.
Cyrano4747
Well-known member
Does the serial number on the receiver match the one visible on the bolt? Or does it match the serial number visible on the floor plate?
Stinks that it was sporterized, but I'm not seeing anything really egregious beyond the stock. Was the front sight removed or the barrel reprofiled in any way? Handguard retainer looks to be there, I'm not seeing any signs of the receiver being drilled and tapped, no one messed with the bolt handle, etc.
It'll never be an all matching rifle, but if I saw that in the rack at a pawn shop I'd be all over it as an easy restoration project. Get a new stock and some barrel bands and you're pretty much there unless there's something I'm missing.
Stinks that it was sporterized, but I'm not seeing anything really egregious beyond the stock. Was the front sight removed or the barrel reprofiled in any way? Handguard retainer looks to be there, I'm not seeing any signs of the receiver being drilled and tapped, no one messed with the bolt handle, etc.
It'll never be an all matching rifle, but if I saw that in the rack at a pawn shop I'd be all over it as an easy restoration project. Get a new stock and some barrel bands and you're pretty much there unless there's something I'm missing.
Cyrano4747
Well-known member
Sorry, just noticed you were looking for information in general.
The rifle was made at Mauser Oberndorf - the original Mauser factory - in 1937. Those pre-war rifles are generally well regarded as having a higher degree of fit and finish than wartime (and especially late war) guns, plus they weren't made in the same numbers as, say a mid-war rifle. If the bolt number doesn't match that isn't too unsurprising, a lot of guns got bolts swapped somewhere between the factory and today, be it in the field or in the capture/transport home process etc.
I see a bit of light rust here and there that should be cleaned up. There are a million opinions on how to do that, mine is to go slowly with some fine copper wool (not steel) and a bit of oil.
As I mentioned before you're missing a few parts and the stock has been cut up, but from what I can see in the pics provided you're not in too bad a position to start restoring it.
The rifle was made at Mauser Oberndorf - the original Mauser factory - in 1937. Those pre-war rifles are generally well regarded as having a higher degree of fit and finish than wartime (and especially late war) guns, plus they weren't made in the same numbers as, say a mid-war rifle. If the bolt number doesn't match that isn't too unsurprising, a lot of guns got bolts swapped somewhere between the factory and today, be it in the field or in the capture/transport home process etc.
I see a bit of light rust here and there that should be cleaned up. There are a million opinions on how to do that, mine is to go slowly with some fine copper wool (not steel) and a bit of oil.
As I mentioned before you're missing a few parts and the stock has been cut up, but from what I can see in the pics provided you're not in too bad a position to start restoring it.
KingJames713
Member
Serial number 2704 all over the rifle. Only thing different is the bolt with 9700 serial. Going to post more pictures
KingJames713
Member
Most visible markings. Pictures are filtered for quality.
Attachments
Cyrano4747
Well-known member
Yeah, I stand by what I said before. One upon a time it was a pretty typical bolt mismatch. It's a pitty the stock got mulched. I wouldn't throw it away or anything, but unfortunately with how much material was removed north of the bolt cut-out to reprofile the front end I don't see a good way to even try and salvage the back half (which wasn't screwed with as badly). Maybe one of the woodworking wizards here has an idea. The buttplate at the very least is worth moving over to the new stock.
My advice would be to get a replacement stock, some barrel bands, and restore it to its proper configuration. Well, that and clean it up, get some of that active rust off it, etc. Remember: you don't want to hit it with any real abrasives. Don't take a dremel and a wire wheel to it, go slow and gentle with copper wool.
My advice would be to get a replacement stock, some barrel bands, and restore it to its proper configuration. Well, that and clean it up, get some of that active rust off it, etc. Remember: you don't want to hit it with any real abrasives. Don't take a dremel and a wire wheel to it, go slow and gentle with copper wool.
Cyrano4747
Well-known member
The more I look at it the more I wonder if the butt could be salvaged by splicing it into a döner, maybe a hardwood RC stock or something similar. Maybe a splice across the wrist?
Don’t know if it’s worth the hassle on a bolt m/m, but man I hate to see an early stock die like that.
Edit: donor not döner but I’m leaving that autocorrect typo because it’s hilarious. And now I’m hungry.
Don’t know if it’s worth the hassle on a bolt m/m, but man I hate to see an early stock die like that.
Edit: donor not döner but I’m leaving that autocorrect typo because it’s hilarious. And now I’m hungry.
KingJames713
Member
Your advice seems kind of irrelevant for something as special as this. Untouched.
KingJames713
Member
Real 37 with SS Markings
KingJames713
Member
I shot it a year ago..
Zeppelin5000
Senior Member
I assume you're joking? It's certainly been "touched", dare I say, ruined.... and it doesn't have SS markings.
MrB
Member
I would leave the rifle as is. This rifle was left to KingJames by his grandfather and he will always treasure it for what it is. He asked for information on the rifle but is not interested in changing the gift.
I do not have a single thing from either of my grandfathers as they both passed before I was born.
I do not have a single thing from either of my grandfathers as they both passed before I was born.
KingJames713
Member
KingJames713
Member
Luftewaffe markingings I believe. I will take it to a gun show this weekend. Figured I find more help on this forum.