The Russian Mosin Nagant Forum

Hey guys,

Quick opinion from you folks regarding a mauser for sale from a friend. Hes got a byf 44 k98k that's all matching minus the bolt.

He says it has a crack at the wrist of the stock however and that concerns me. I'm looking at it later, but have some pictures for now.

Any thoughts guys? Would 600 be okay for this description or is the cracked stocked a major detractor?




Thanks as always!

Cracked stock can be easily fixed. If you’re good at woodwork, you can fix it yourself using dowels and acroglass. Otherwise, have an experienced gunsmith fix it.

What you have in my opinion from the pictures is a Russian capture Mauser that has had the red shellac removed. Also most all the Russian captures have that laminated stock and mismatched bolt. As with any old military firearm with the finish removed the value is cut in half. If you are looking for a Mauser to just shoot, you could pin that crack on the wrist. If you are looking for a collectible that will gain in value, pass. No way is that worth $600.

$350-$400, I bought my last non Russian Capture two years ago in that price range. Admittedly that was a very good deal for something like that, but still, $600 is a bit much for what is a damaged and non matching K98k. How did he crack a laminated stock?

You can compare it to mine here
http://thedolk.com/K98k/index.html
Mine has all matching everything. Yours has the same stock as mine is and that is rare. It is a white glue laminated stock. They only used them for a very short time because the glue was not water proof. They changed over to a red glue. That makes it rare.

It has a cupped butt plate, and that is correct. Russian captured rifles hardly ever were put back into their original stocks. Just like the Mosins. And that stock is correct for that year rifle.

I'm not sure of the Russian capture connection. It is refinished for sure, but most of them came with an X carved on the receiver if it came from Russia. It don't have that or any of the other marks on Russian capture. So, I'm a little on the fence there.

It's also called a mostly matching, not a matching except the bolt. It's rare (very rare) to have a all matching rifle in Mausers.

Price? I don't know anymore. They are going up in price so damn fast now. Also depending on if it is a Russian capture or not. Would have to have it in my hands, but there are people who can read that rifle like a book. They know everything about them. I bought mine from a well know collector and an autoror of a book on Mausers. I paid too much (maybe) $1200 then, but I hate to tell you what it is worth now.

Dolk

Thanks for the info guys, just saw it and overall it's in pretty good shape.

As Dolk said, nothing on this atleast from a quick overview seems like an RC to me. Also the stock is numbered on the inside and matches the receiver.



Heres a few pics of the mentioned cracks. They're worse than I was hoping to be honest.

I'm probably going to pass overall, unless you guys think otherwise.

Thanks everyone for the feedback

Red glue stocks came first, 1937, and white glue stock started showing up towards the middle of the war. They are not as common as red glue but hardly rare. That Mauser doesn't look like an RC, I see none of the Russian quick dip paint like bluing. It is what as known as a bolt mismatch, they usually get between $800-$1000 for one in decent shape. That is a serious crack, I'd be tempted to look for another stock if you intended to use it as a shooter. $600 for the rifle, at least another $200 for a correct stock puts you at a point where a better K98k could be bought with a little effort. I might see $500 as a reasonable offer.

I was thinking the exact same thing, Sheepdog.

If that crack didnt exist, I'd probably jump on it! But I'll probably hang on to the cash and hunt for one that fits the bill a little nicer.

Thanks guys!