I built a spoter on an action marked 'K98' forward of the 'thumb slot' on the left side of the action. Further forward, next to where the barrel is fitted to the action, it's marked, '734S'.It flat out shoots. It's now a 30-06 with a 24' E.R. I glass bedded the action in a blonde maple stock my wife brought back from a rifle hobbyist in Hawaii and installed a Timney trigger.I very well could leave well enough alone, but I intend to ship the barreled action off to Gentry for a three position safety, (currently, it has a two-position safety), and the stock to someone who can do a fleaur-de-lis, (spelling?), pattern checkering on the stock, similar to the Winnie M70 featherlight models I've seen.Anyway, here's my question - the action came to me with a straight bolt handle. I thought the K98s all had downswept bolt handles - but maybe I'm wrong.
(I thought the GEW 98s had the straight bolt handles).It doesn't matter a whole lot - the action was thoroughly checked out by Shaw, and if the bolt assembly came from a GEW 98, it works - safely and accurately.So, what about the 98 bolt handle thing, guys?M1894 12:56 PM. The Kar98k used by Germany in WWII had a turned down bolt handle. The Gewher (rifle) '98 used in WWI had a staright bolt handle. In WWI, the Kar98a carbine had a turned down bolt handle. The carbines were intended for use by cavalry, artillery, engineers and other troops where a turned down bolt handle was preferred. A good source on this is 'Small Arms of The World' by Smith and Smith.If you encounter a Kar98k with a straight bolt handle, it is probably a mismatch bolt. Hope this helps.
The German K98k Mauser used a steel alloy (a stainless inox) that was never blued as issued in WWII. If you want your rifle to be authentic, you will keep the bolt 'in the white'. The resons the Mausers issued most of the guns in their history with white bolts are several.
All the best.GilBig Bore 04:55 PM. PLEASE tell me the 'S' after the 734 looked like a normal S and not funny shaped, like three stright lines forming an S. Please tell me you did not sporterize a rifle with a Rune marking, which would indicate that the work on the rifle was done in a concentration camp under SS supervision. Please tell me that is not the case or I am going to be sick.Big Bore, we all despise the treatment of the Jews during WW2 and hold in our memory the immensely unjust suffering they had to endure. But to raise such a point when this particular rifle has transcended its origins(if they are such) surely is not constructive to anybody.Forgive me if I have offended anyone but Nathaniel obviously was unaware if it does apply to this particular action and the rifle obviously serves a peaceful and honourable purpose in these better days.It's a sad reality that many of the European ex-military weapons we prize as collector's items took the lives of our fellow countrymen in horrific and unnecessary conflicts that were forced upon most of the Western World by power hungry madmen. We should be equally respectful when we use those firearms.And please, I'll reinforce that in this reply I mean no offence to anyone.MikeG 09:32 PM.
Not speaking for Big bore, but I believe he was referring to the 'collectability' of such a marked K98, not the manner in which it was produced.Such markings, just as true 'SS' marked K98s draw top dollar, as opposed to an 'ordinary' Wermacht K98.I used to collect many such rifles, and still have a K98 that dates to '37, to a company that primarily produced bicycles.Germany used many avenues of industries, right or wrong, to produce their weapons. This however, does not justify their atrosities.Nathaniel 08:21 AM. Yup - I read Big Bore's post as one written by a collector and not wanting such turned into a sporter.Have clubbed a few '03A3's and Swede Mausers, myself. Back in the 50's and 60's, taking a military surplus rifle and converting to a sporter was an economical way to acquire a hunting rifle. Nowadays, there's not much benefit as the customizing costs equal or exceed that of commercially available hardware.I won't condemn anyone who desires to customize any firearm he owns. Their choice, and just happy the rifle will get some TLC.Big Bore 07:20 PM.
Big Bore, we all despise the treatment of the Jews during WW2 and hold in our memory the immensely unjust suffering they had to endure. But to raise such a point when this particular rifle has transcended its origins(if they are such) surely is not constructive to anybody.Forgive me if I have offended anyone but Nathaniel obviously was unaware if it does apply to this particular action and the rifle obviously serves a peaceful and honourable purpose in these better days.It's a sad reality that many of the European ex-military weapons we prize as collector's items took the lives of our fellow countrymen in horrific and unnecessary conflicts that were forced upon most of the Western World by power hungry madmen.
We should be equally respectful when we use those firearms.And please, I'll reinforce that in this reply I mean no offence to anyone.You misunderstood my comments completely. I meant that this marking on the receiver give the firearm great historical importance to collectors and that 98s with this marking are much sought after specimens for collectors. To turn one of these guns into a sporter will make any collector absolutely sick. I meant nothing at all about the Nazi treatment of the Jews; we all know how horrible that was.I do see how my comments could have been misinterpreted though now that I look back on them. Sometimes I forget that we do not all come with the same frame of reference.And thanks for clearing up the 's' marking as being nothing more than an 's.'
Makes me feel much better now.:)kombi1976 04:36 AM. Sorry, Big Bore.
I think you caught me on a bad day. It hasn't been the best week in my life but I digress. I will say, and this sounds a bit soppy, that getting on the Net and checking out the answers you guys give and the quick wit cheers a guy up. It's nice to say something about you favourite hobby and not immediately be labelled a ' redneck' or ' gun-totin' madman'.:rolleyes:But I will say something that is going to make you feel a little under-the-weather.I recently bought a matching-numbers/intact waffenampt 1941 k98 which has a sporterised stock. Well, actually the floor plate doesn't match but the bolt action and barrel do. The barrel is pitted in places but the rifling is sharp and the ejector and firing pin spring are nice and tight.Get ready for some nausea. It isn't going back to full wood.
I'm not going to drill and tap it but I am going to re-barrel it and I'll be locating a scope mount that doesn't involve drilling to fit to it. I'll also put it in a good sporting stock. But never fear, the original barrel will be stowed away safely in case I get a case of nostalgia or change my evil ways.;)Why? Because I frankly can't afford to build the sporter I want any other way. I got the entire 98 for $125 and a SMLE action costs more than that here.With some careful work and good buys I'll end up with a great shooter and a real conversation piece which due to fact it won't be machined in any way can always be returned to original.And now I'm listening as the lynch mob knock down my door.:DBig Bore 11:10 AM. Nobody will form a lynch mob, not yet anyway.
Many of the 98s you find today are refurbs and unless there is really something remarkable about them there is no real historical value to them. My 98K has a bunch of waffenampts and is mostly matching and makes a nice representative collector's piece, but if one were to sporterize such a rifle (since it is a Yugo refurb and is not 100% matching) it really would not upset me much. But one with Runes on it, man, those things are rare.Since yours has already had the stock chopped, we will not hold you responsible as the first offender.Have fun with your project, I think you will find it quite enjoyable to build it just the way you want it.C1PNR 11:44 AM. Anyway, here's my question - the action came to me with a straight bolt handle.
I thought the K98s all had downswept bolt handles - but maybe I'm wrong. (I thought the GEW 98s had the straight bolt handles).It doesn't matter a whole lot - the action was thoroughly checked out by Shaw, and if the bolt assembly came from a GEW 98, it works - safely and accurately.So, what about the 98 bolt handle thing, guys?As long as it's a mis-matched rifle/bolt, and you are having the other work done, why not have the bolt handle reworked too?
It certainly isn't that expensive to do and the result is usually quite pleasing to the eye. I'm surprised Shaw didn't suggest it when they did the re-barreling.Or you can watch on eBay, and other auction sites, for a bolt that has already been altered. Usually you buy them stripped and put on the parts from your own bolt. I personally don't think this is the 'best' way to go, but it is an alternative.:rolleyes:Nathaniel 09:24 AM. C1PNR,I had the bolt handle turned down before I shipped her off to Shaw by a 'smith in Columbus, Georgia.It was my original intent to keep the factory 8mm Mauser barrel. A couple of things changed my mind -US factory 8mm Mauser ammo is very mild. I understand why, but I felt I could handload my own to much better ballistic performance.
But, I didn't get that far.The best she'd do was softball sized three shot 'groups' at 50 yards with a stone-cold and squeaky clean barrel. After the barrel heated a little, she shot all over the paper.A 'smith in Manchester, New Hampshire confirmed that the barrel was pretty much gone. He did suggest that I could keep her as a spare, (since the cold, clean 50 yard accuracy for three shots would suffice for 'spare gun' service in deep woods situations.But, I wanted a rifle like those I'd read about in the stories.I am a lever gun person, but this was going to be a true-blue personal bolt gun.Did some studying & bought the Brownell's glass bedding kit. Wasn't too difficult. Kombi,I applaud your induviduality.I, too, like to walk my own way.The 8mm is a good cartridge.
The only drawback, (my opinion), being bullet selection is much narrower in.323.I'm an '06 fan because many of the 'experts' claim you HAVE to have a 270 Weatherby Magnum or one of the new gee whiz short Thunderboomerlazerdeathray Magnums to be a real hunter.I also like the time honored versatility of the 30-06. Kombi,I applaud your induviduality.I, too, like to walk my own way.The 8mm is a good cartridge.
![K98k K98k](https://www.gunpartscorp.com/pub/products/718920.jpg)
How do I find and purchase a complete bolt for a BRNO 98 Mauser. I have a receiver and I would like to assemble a sporterized conversion.
If the bolt had a new handle and saftey that would be fine. Who sells hinged floorplates for like receiver? Thanks for the information.Best regards,wrknoespelYou may be able to find a replacement bolt for a BRNO '98 Mauser at Sarco, Inc. At their website or at Marstar at. Some folks might suggest Gun Parts Corp at.A competent gunsmith should be able to replace the bolt handle and install a low scope safety. Finding a hinged floorplates may be a challenge to locate and might be expensive. I recall someone offering them for sale.
All the best.GilAll times are GMT -8. The time now is 05:41 AM.
They used to advertise Yugo M48 Mausers as '98 Mausers made with German machinery' blah blah, and fooled some people into thinking they were getting Kar98k rifles.Then like a lot of importers they got access to Russian Capture (RC) Kar98k's that were real Nazi Kar98k's that had been captured by or surrendered to the Soviets. At some point the Soviets took the valuable Kar98k's apart down to parts, refinished the parts, and then assembled mixmasters from parts, pretty much destroying the collector's value of the rifles as German Kar98k's.Mitchell's Mausers takes the RC Kar98k's and pimp-shines them: heavily sand the stock, polish the bolt to an inauthentic bare-metal shine, stamp new 'matching numbers' on them, then charge a premium for their handiwork.They have even less collector value than a regular RC Kar98k, but like any Kar98k they can be good shooters. But there is no reason to pay the increased price for their pimp-shined version when you can get an unmessed-with RC Kar98k for less regular RC at least has some collector value as an RC and can be just as good a shooter, for less than Mitchell's charges.An original Kar98khonest Russian Capture (RC) Kar98kMitchell's Mauser pimp-shined RC Kar98k. Look at the stock and bolt.http://www.mauser.net/firearms/rifles/mauser-rifles/k98german/GermanK.png. You need to really read the wording of all advertising - much like you have to check out the exact wording of politiciansExactly. Like when they say 'matching numbers' the numbers do indeed match each other, so they are technically correct. They aren't original markings and they might have been stamped last year or last month or last week, but they are 'matching numbers', so technically it isn't false advertising.They also like to use the phrase 'kept in military storage' and imply that the Germans hid some secret cache of K98k's.
They don't mention that the 'military' that kept them in storage was the old Soviet Union. They also say the rifles were 'factory refurbished' while not mentioning that the 'factory' was in the Ukraine or Russia, not Germany. But while the ads are misleading they aren't bald-faced lies. I'm sure their lawyers made sure of that.Most RC K98k's have an 'X' stamped on the receiver, which was a Soviet capture marking. I have seen Mitchell's Mausers at gun shows where an extra line was added to the 'X' to make it into a. to disguise it.They are looking for customers who don't know much about K98k'sBut, I Know dang near nothing about them.and advertise heavily in gun magazines to try to find them. Thank goodness the OP asked before buying.But again, they can be good shooters, so there is nothing wrong with getting a used one for a RC price, as long as you know what you are buying.
While their advertising pushes the envelope for honesty, in my opinion, their guns aren't too bad of a deal for some buyers. The same person who might pick up the Springfield Armory, Inc version of the WW2 1911A1 (GI.45), or the Remington version of the 1911, or the Auto Ordinance M1A1 Carbine would probably be very happy with a Mitchell's K98, i.e. Someone looking for a pristine 'version' of an older gun without paying the premium for a 'real' one.There's 3 basic types of antique gun, with lots of grey area in between and a fair amount of overlap between the types. You can buy a pristine original model for a LOT of money (like a Collector Grade Garand), a rougher version for a lot less money (FG or RG), or a new model for (possibly) even less (well, there's nothing comparable in a Garand, but you get the idea).
I have no complaint with their product, just with the shady way they market them.Personally, I've always loved the AC Cobra, but if and when I ever go shopping for one, you can be damned certain it'll be a replica, as I'd rather spend $20-30k on something I can drive than $500k for something I'd be afraid to even wax! As long as the seller lets me know what I'm getting, I'd have no problem with it.
Other than the 'humped' complaints, I've never heard anything bad about a Mitchell's Mauser as a shooter. I bought a Russian Capture (RC) about 8 years ago. It came with a very ugly red colored finish on the wood. It was chipping off so I decided to strip it down to bare wood. I was only into the rifle for $150.00 so it didn't matter to me. I did dwell on it for a while as I considered the red paint a part of it's history. When it was all off, I noticed a bunch of Waffenamps stamped into the stock that were invisible before.
The rifle came without some small capture screws and no ramrod but were easily replaced.HB. I wonder how many people who are bad mouthing the Mitchell's Mausers actually own one. I've had one for several years and have no complaints. Mine is in like new condition, shoots great and looks great.
My son's K-98 cost more, shoots worse, and looks like crap. In my opinion, if you want all the history on the rifle, don't buy a Mitchell's. If you want a Mauser that shoots and looks like new, then buy a Mitchell's.Just my opinion.Do you have the Mitchell's M48K98?M48s are often in unissued condition and should be expected to be good shooters. Still, you can get exactly the same M48 for less ($220) than Mitchell's sells them for ($449-$549) Mitchell's K98 is an ex-RC K98 and can be a good (or not) shooter just like any RC K98. But again, you can get a RC K98 cheaper ($320-340) than Mitchell's sells them for ($399-$795) If someone doesn't like the Soviet shellac on the stock it is easy to remove with denatured alcohol.
The first two ads are from 1960, the third from 1968. The first two ads and maybe the third as well date from before the Gun Control Act of 1968, so you could have ordered by phone or mail and had the firearms delivered to your door.Some adjustments for inflation:Johnson rifle $77.50 in 1960 = $564 in 2010 dollarsRecent sale: $5,950 $9.95 in 1960 = $72 in 2010 dollarsRecent sale $441 No. 4 Mk 1 (T) sniper $38.88 in 1960 = $283 in 2010 dollarsRecent sale $3,200 number M1903 $38.88 in 1960 = $283 in 2010 dollarsRecent sale $1,000 $29.95 in 1960 = $218 in 2010 dollarsRecent sale $750 G43 $59.50 in 1968 = $369 in 2010 dollarsRecent sale $3,190 K98 $28.00 in 1968 = $174 in 2010 dollarsRecent sale $2,000 M41 Sniper $69.50 in 1968 = $431 in 2010 dollarsRecent sale $1,975 http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=253198068.
In a sense, the work is no different than putting new wood on a USGI rifle, then having it reparked.No, Mitchell takes original stocks and then heavily sands them. It is no different than having USGI stocks with genuine SA/GHS or SA/GAW or FJA or WRA/GHD markings and Ordnance wheels and sanding them heavily until all cartouches and original finish is gone.When harleybob removed the shellac from his RC K98 stock he found several original Nazi markings on the stock. You will rarely see that on a Mitchell's stock, they have been sanded off to make the stock look 'new', although K98 stocks didn't originally look like that.The metal isn't just refinished, markings are altered or added.In the white bolt - well.the Germans buffed and blued a lot of those Bavarian Carbines.or put on Erma barrels, or their own stocks.How many of us complained about that?That work was done by a military organization and is part of the history of those carbines. Mitchell is a commercial enterprise like Miltech and their work is done to increase appeal of their products to certain types of buyers, and adds nothing to the history of those rifles. In fact, it erases some of it.When discussing Mitchell's Mausers, it is always difficult to inform potential buyers without making people who own already own one feel like they have to justify their purchase. We all agree that they can be good shooters. Most agree that their advertising is misleading at best.
It's a fact that Mitchell's charges more and that the same or equivalent rifles are available for less. Well, since we're on the topic of K98's.
A local pawn shop has a sporterized K98 that has had the stock cut down on the front & rear. The receiver has not been drilled or tapped. It looks like it's probably been a bring back at some point in it's life. The receiver bolt and stock band numbers all matched, the safety did not. Didn't see a serial number on the barrel and wasn't 100% sure were to look other than the normal places. The blue's probably 60%.
It's missing the front sight hood and rod. If I remember right it was Byf44. It had quite a few Waffenmarks on it. They had $229 on it. I half thought about tossing out $125 on it for a winter project, but figured the wife would kill me if I came home with another gun. A tip on getting a new acquisition past the gate guard (wife). The more arms you've already got in your gun cabinet, man cave, or whatever, the better, because just one more isn't as noticeable.
About twenty years ago a buddy of mine dropped by our house and asked if he could take a look at some particular rifle (can't remember which) I had in the gun cabinet. Sure, no problem. He then removes a tape measure from his pocket, notes various dimensions, scribbles them down on a piece of paper, thanks me as he hands the rifle back and leaves. Figured he'd eventually tell me what this was all about. What he'd done was go home, make a cardboard cutout approximating the size of the rifle, stuffed it in a soft gun case, along with some crumpled newspaper padding, walked right past the gate guard with the explanation he was taking the rifle to the shop to have the (name a part) adjusted. He then went to the local gun shop and bought the rifle he was interested in, ditched the cardboard and newspaper padding, slid the rifle into the case and walked it into the house. A tip on getting a new acquisition past the gate guard (wife).
The more arms you've already got in your gun cabinet, man cave, or whatever, the better, because just one more isn't as noticeable. About twenty years ago a buddy of mine dropped by our house and asked if he could take a look at some particular rifle (can't remember which) I had in the gun cabinet. Sure, no problem.
He then removes a tape measure from his pocket, notes various dimensions, scribbles them down on a piece of paper, thanks me as he hands the rifle back and leaves. Figured he'd eventually tell me what this was all about. What he'd done was go home, make a cardboard cutout approximating the size of the rifle, stuffed it in a soft gun case, along with some crumpled newspaper padding, walked right past the gate guard with the explanation he was taking the rifle to the shop to have the (name a part) adjusted. He then went to the local gun shop and bought the rifle he was interested in, ditched the cardboard and newspaper padding, slid the rifle into the case and walked it into the house.Sounds like Nikki Sixx back in the day visiting a guitar store.:DMy gate guard seems to have lost count but I think she's just playing me as she has the memory of an elephant. Her memory seems especially keen when my best friend is over and we're checking out the guns and she'll come out from the cheap seats with a 'hey, what's that, I don't recognize that one'.:cool.
I'm fortunate in that the lady of the house is a shooter, and is understanding when a new firearm just happens to follow me home. There's occasionally a quid-pro-quo comment (as in 'hey did you see that neat (name an item) in this or that catalog), but that usually only happens when something fairly expensive follows me home - and she knows what's what in the wonderful world of firearms.
She totes a.41 magnum SA when we go berry picking (big bears in these parts), hunts with a.308 Browning, and I love her dearly. I'd like to see what their 'Souvenir Grade' K98s look like. I have at one time or another considered getting a Mitchell's K98 just for a shooter.
There is at least some comfort for many of us knowing we are getting a rifle that is shootable and safe, even it is fake cosmetically.probably worth it. They shoot fine and you never know with a 'real' one if it will headspace, or has an unknown crack or something else. You even get a certificate to make you feel special saying it is an authentic Mitchell. A tip on getting a new acquisition past the gate guard (wife). The more arms you've already got in your gun cabinet, man cave, or whatever, the better, because just one more isn't as noticeable. About twenty years ago a buddy of mine dropped by our house and asked if he could take a look at some particular rifle (can't remember which) I had in the gun cabinet. Sure, no problem.
He then removes a tape measure from his pocket, notes various dimensions, scribbles them down on a piece of paper, thanks me as he hands the rifle back and leaves. Figured he'd eventually tell me what this was all about.
What he'd done was go home, make a cardboard cutout approximating the size of the rifle, stuffed it in a soft gun case, along with some crumpled newspaper padding, walked right past the gate guard with the explanation he was taking the rifle to the shop to have the (name a part) adjusted. He then went to the local gun shop and bought the rifle he was interested in, ditched the cardboard and newspaper padding, slid the rifle into the case and walked it into the house.For more on the subject of 'Gunrunning' read the story of the same name by Patrick McManus in his book The Grasshopper Trap. (And not all that far from the truth, either!!:D. I am sure I may get crucified here but.A friend of mine just ordered a Mitchell's K98k and I saw it for the first time today. It is the souvenier grade for $399.It had none of the Russian capture markings or the. to conceal one, several Nazi markings and no sign of being scrubbed or new stamps applied.
Some of the numbers were matching, some were not.The stock had been sanded and no markings on it except for a number matching the S/N.Overall the rifle looked great including the bore. Plenty of barrel life left and headspace was fine. (I checked it with Forster gages.)My friend only wanted a nice looking shooter and did not care really if it was correct. I was impressed with the rifle and it looked better than any of the RC's that I have seen lately. Around here, a rough RC is going for $499 plus. For $399, I personally think it is worth it and may order one for myself at some point. I have pictures of the rifle and can send them to you if you PM me your e-mail.
Sorry I don't know how to post pics on this site. It had none of the Russian capture markings or the. to conceal one, several Nazi markings and no sign of being scrubbed or new stamps applied.
Some of the numbers were matching, some were not.The stock had been sanded and no markings on it except for a number matching the S/N.The number stamped on the left side of the buttstock is a Russian Capture marking. The Germans never stamped the stock there, only Soviets and Yugoslavians did (Soviets stamped numbers horizontally, Yugos stamped numbers vertically).With a RC, the receiver, barrel, and front sight blade will usually have matching numbers.Ironically, the 'Souvenir' grade might preferable to the 'Collector' or 'Premium' grade, because it has been less Mitchellized and costs the least.I still think one of these is a better deal but as long as you know what you are buying it is your money.Sorry I don't know how to post pics on this site.See http://forums.thecmp.org/showthread.php?t=660. My Mitchell's M48A is the prettiest Yugoslavian, non German, short Mauser I own. I paid too much (before I knew better.it was my first milsurp rifle), it was never advertised as a German Mauser (not even in the small print or by reasonable assumption), it came with a bunch of useless accessories which collect a lot of dust, it took me a week to get all the cosmo off of it and is a very accurate shooter.If I bought it today I would have to pay more than I did then so I can't really complain much. It IS a very pretty rifle.I'll give it that.but, I think the M48BO I bought later from a private seller, that has no import mark, for half what I paid for the 48A is probably a more valuable rifle but just isn't as pimped up.Larry.
The Yugoslavian M48 is an very good rifle. It is a good choice for someone who wants a 7.92x57 Mauser.
However, it is not a K98k, nor German in any way, nor a World War II rifle.Unlike the K98k and other large-ring Mauser, the M48 uses an intermediate-length action (It is 8.5' long with a screw spacing of 7.62'. The K98k and most other large-ring Mausers have an action length of 8.75' and screw spacing of 7.835'. Because of this, K98k and M48 bolts, triggerguards, and stocks are not interchangeable.The Yugoslavians did not obtain tooling or machinery from Germany. It came from FN in Belgium, who made the intermediate-length action M1924 Mauser rifles. FN supplied rifles and machinery to Yugoslavia until the Yugos were able to start up their own production.M48 rifles were made from 1951 to 1957, not during World War II.
The 1943 date on the Yugoslavian crest stamped on the receiver ring refers to the date that Tito, leader of the Communist Yugo Partisans, announced that the Anti-Fascist Council of the People's Liberation of Yugoslavia would be the new government of Yugoslavia (after the Nazis were defeated of course).that in mind, let's look at this Mitchell's Mauser ad from the July 2003 issue of American Rifleman:the first thing it says: 'Mauser 98K Rifle'.Well, that's not correct. They are trying to attract the interest of (inexperienced) customers looking for Nazi K98k rifles.' Produced with German technology and precision on German tooling set up in occupied Serbia'.The Germans were not involved in any way with M48 production. The tooling was Belgian and the rifles were made after World War II, when Yugoslavia was no longer occupied (Serbia did not exist as an independent state at that time).' The crest on the receiver is dated 1943'.Well, that's true, but so what.
That's when the Communist Yugoslavian partisans had a meeting, not when the rifles were built. But it is intentionally misleading for those who don't know the details.'
Preserved since WWII, this last supply of Quality WWII Mausers.' M48s were made in the 1950s, after World War II. Again trying to mislead customers into thinking these are 'WWII 98k' Mausers.' Typical German Mauser Strength and Reliability.' Notice that 'German' is used three times in this ad, 'Serbia' is used once, and 'Yugoslavian' is not used at all.' This is your Last Chance.'
One thing that hasn't changed over the years is Mitchell saying that this is your 'last chance' to buy his rifles, so you better get that credit card out right now!Here is an ad from the March 2005 issue of American Rifleman:98k' it isn't.Many of the same phrases in the previous ad are used. In addition'An Original Mauser Rifle that escaped the war.'
Well, it was pretty easy for the rifles to 'escape the war' if they were made after World War II.' Do Not Wait Too Long! The world supply of original Mausers is coming to an end. Soon, only used battlefield pickups and bastardized, reworked rifles with mixed parts will remain.'
A used, original, all-matching, vet-bringback 'battlefield pickup' K98k! Who would want something like that?!:rolleyes:Funny how Mitchell is now spending heavily to proudly advertise his Russian Capture (RC) K98k's, which are in fact 'bastardized, reworked rifles with mixed parts' to use his words.After Mitchell started getting his hands on Russian Capture (RC) real K98k's he stopped pushing the M48s as much, although his K98k advertising is also misleading and deceptive in my opinion. But at least they are K98k rifles, not M48s being sold as 'Mauser 98K' rifles.
To repeat, the M48 is a fine rifle, and it deserves to be sold honestly.Can Mitchell's Mausers be good shooters? So can other Mausers sold honestly and for less money. Are the M48s in good condition ('pretty')? So are the ones available for less elsewhere. Are Mitchell's ex-Russian Capture K98k's 'pretty'? As I said, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. To me they are so 'Mitchellized' they look artificial compared to an original K98k, but to each his own.
Should you give your money to a company that uses misleading advertising to deceive less-experienced customers, rather than supporting honest vendors who have similar products for less money? Your money, your choice. Reading through some of Mitchell's ads I'm amazed by the tap-dancing and almost-but-not-quite 'facts'. As to the M48s being manufactured on German machinery in occupied Serbia.
Well, if you really wanted to s-t-r-e-t-c-h the facts, I suppose you could try to make those cases. As Milsurp Collector has informed us, M48s were manufactured on imported Belgian machinery. My bring-back 243/1940 sports an FN proof-mark over the chamber area below the wood line, so it obviously was rebarreled, or at least reproofed, using what would've been Belgian machinery under German control. Does that make it German machinery? Yeah, I know, it all depends on what your definition of the word IS is. Though his advertising is nothing but clever word twisting, the RCs and M48s are good looking rifles, albeit horrendously overpriced.
As to the M48 being manufactured in occupied Serbia; well, occupied by whom he doesn't say - or if he did I missed it, and I guess someone could try making the case that the geographical area where the rifles were manufactured was at one time called Serbia, then Yugoslavia, and now is Serbia once again.