New Auction Candidate Russian Capture 1937

[Gerst]

I really like this rifle. It is not pinged up and aside from the stamped trigger guard and fouled up milled floor plate- which can easily be replaced with thecorrect hardware- it looks ok. The coating of lacquer can be removed. Even the stock stamps can be seen! It is a mixmaster, but a nice one, don’t you think?

Here are the pics.

 

[Remfan]

Does not look bad for an R/C. All depends on price.

 

[Jbenkert90]

I like that you can still see the stock markings. Pretty good looking r/c

 

[GeeRam]

Does not look bad for an R/C. All depends on price.

Agreed.

Very nice for a RC.

 

[Gerst]

I tried to load a photo of the bolt but was unable to. It is a mismatch but looks ok except for a hand etched scribble of the serial number. It was probably done later. Can something like that be wet-sanded off and re-blued? It doesn’t look too deep.

 

[GeeRam]

I tried to load a photo of the bolt but was unable to. It is a mismatch but looks ok except for a hand etched scribble of the serial number. It was probably done later. Can something like that be wet-sanded off and re-blued? It doesn’t look too deep.

The scribbled renumber on the bolt is typical RC, and was done in the Soviet factories in the 50's when they re-worked all their stocks of captured weapons.

 

[mto7464]

I tried to load a photo of the bolt but was unable to. It is a mismatch but looks ok except for a hand etched scribble of the serial number. It was probably done later. Can something like that be wet-sanded off and re-blued? It doesn’t look too deep.

If you get it leave it as is. Part of its history. You will never make it "correct". I think years from now the un-messed ones, meaning RC's, will bring a premium over the ones that guys tried to improve by removing the shellac etc.

 

[Guillaume d'Orange]

Are RCs systematically rebarrelled ? I doubt it.
Gerst, if you are looking for an RC to have a handy shooter and the rifling is gone (this is a S42 1937, right?), it may not be worth. At least not worth before being sure of the bore condition.

 

[GeeRam]

Are RCs systematically rebarrelled ? I doubt it.
Gerst, if you are looking for an RC to have a handy shooter and the rifling is gone (this is a S42 1937, right?), it may not be worth. At least not worth before being sure of the bore condition.

Funnily enough, all of the early dated ('35-'39) RC's I have personally seen here in the UK, have all had pretty good bore's on their original barrels.
Maybe most of the early dated rifles were likely the ones captured in the east from the first winter 41/42 counter attacks, and so that was the end of their use. I doubt many pre-41 dated rifles came back west with the retreating German forces.

 

[Gerst]

Are RCs systematically rebarrelled ? I doubt it.
Gerst, if you are looking for an RC to have a handy shooter and the rifling is gone (this is a S42 1937, right?), it may not be worth. At least not worth before being sure of the bore condition.

Here is the write-up from the auction:

CONDITION

Very good. Bore is bright with some lead fouling but retains strong rifling. Wooden stock shows handling wear. Some oxidation spotting on the barrel & trigger guard. Approximately 80% of finish remaining. Mechanically excellent.

 

[Gerst]

As is or “as was?”

If you get it leave it as is. Part of its history. You will never make it "correct". I think years from now the un-messed ones, meaning RC's, will bring a premium over the ones that guys tried to improve by removing the shellac etc.

If it looks decent, the only things I will clean up are the take-down disk and the lug under the receiver. I plan to substitute a milled trigger guard. Ill also blacken the scribble on the bolt if it will tone it down a bit.

I don’t plan on bidding more than what I think it is the worth. There are twenty “lookers.” I’ll probably get out-bid by a guy with a loose wallet!

 

[Gerst]

Soviet scribble

The scribbled renumber on the bolt is typical RC, and was done in the Soviet factories in the 50's when they re-worked all their stocks of captured weapons.

I’ve seen that “scribble” on other auction rifles which were not identified as captures. The write-up deplored the graffiti committed by the “prior owner!”

 

[Gerst]

Valuation request

I have decided to bid on this rifle. It is simply too nice to pass up, even with the incorrect parts.
There is a 20% up-charge and shipping and a forty-buck fee for my local gun shop.

Gentlemen, may I please have your estimates for the value of this rifle.

 

[mto7464]

I have decided to bid on this rifle. It is simply too nice to pass up, even with the incorrect parts.
There is a 20% up-charge and shipping and a forty-buck fee for my local gun shop.

Gentlemen, may I please have your estimates for the value of this rifle.

Can't say what it is worth 5-600 hundred maybe. Being worried or mentioning "incorrect parts" as being an issue is really a non issue with an RC. I would prefer one like this vs one that someone tried to make correct. It is an original russian capture that has been refurbed. I wish I had not sold all of mine now. If you win it leave it alone it is a part of the K98k story.

 

[Gerst]

Can't say what it is worth 5-600 hundred maybe. Being worried or mentioning "incorrect parts" as being an issue is really a non issue with an RC. I would prefer one like this vs one that someone tried to make correct. It is an original russian capture that has been refurbed. I wish I had not sold all of mine now. If you win it leave it alone it is a part of the K98k story.

It has a stamped trigger guard. If I get it, I’ll replace it with a milled one. Everyone seems to say 600 bucks but I’ve seen some pinged-up lacquered up shooters going for that. This is a nice pre-war example with no pings, just the X. It also looks as good or better than any capture I have seen up for sale.

 

[mto7464]

It has a stamped trigger guard. If I get it, I’ll replace it with a milled one. Everyone seems to say 600 bucks but I’ve seen some pinged-up lacquered up shooters going for that. This is a nice pre-war example with no pings, just the X. It also looks as good or better than any capture I have seen up for sale.

Why change anything?? It is what it is. Trigger guard won't make it anymore original. Actually less so it being a RC.

 

[Zeppelin5000]

In my opinion, to collectors, a Russian capture mixmaster is a Russian capture mixmaster... condition may play a small factor, but not much. I'd pay a little more for a nice condition one than one that is beat to hell, but no more than $700.

I'd leave it alone rather than try to spruce it up into something it's not. It will always be a Russian capture, so I'd just leave it in that configuration than by trying to hide the electropenciling and buying other parts to make my "more" correct. You'd just be wasting money because by doing so, its value won't get any higher.

 

[Gerst]

Walnut stock

Why change anything?? It is what it is. Trigger guard won't make it anymore original. Actually less so it being a RC.

I know that, but it's the wrong part. It's like putting a Mopar oil filter on a Ford. If it doesn't belong, I'm going to change it. Like I said before, I am not a collector. I want it to look like it was supposed to look in 1937, not in 1950. If it has rust, Ill remove it At a minimum I'll remove the goop on the ring and the recoil lug. Depending on how it looks "in person", I might remove all the lacquer. Just because the Russians were sloppy doesn't mean the rifle has to stay that way. They clean up old art all the time. The dirt and grime may be a part of it's history but so what? I shine my shoes when they need it too, The crud comes off!

The stock is solid walnut. The cleaning rod is "period." I like it even more now! The sling is old and worn.

 

[Zeppelin5000]

The stock is solid walnut. The cleaning rod is "period." I like it even more now! The sling is old and worn.

The stock is not walnut, it's red glue laminate.

 

[Gerst]

Stock

The stock is not walnut, it's red glue laminate.

That’s what I originally thought. The auction guy told me that in response to my questions. It looks too grainy to be solid. The auction “gun guys” sometimes aren’t very knowledgable and you have to rely on your eyes.