Mitchell's Mausers German k-98s

coreware

I was looking through the latest NRA catalogue and they are selling two grades in the ad, "service" and "collector." I plan to call them again and ask them what that translates into in NRA gun rankings, but according to the ad the collector grade has matching serial numbers on the six major components. The service grade "may" not match. The service grades are $249 and the collector's grades are $399.

I called them at first and they said that all Nazi symbols are intact on either rifle and that these are not Russian recaptures. They'd been refinished, the collector's grade at least, (I figured as much), but they didn't know by who. I'd think a deal like this would be too good to be true despite it being in an NRA catalogue and not some guy selling them at a gun show, but I wanted the opinion of the wise gun broker community.

These are real German rifles, with swatiskas and eagles intact. Do you think they are worth the price? I've been looking for a German Mauser for quite some time, so this seemed like something worth investigating. The collector one seems a little far fetched, but the shooter grade seems appealing.

Any thoughts? Anyone else see that ad?

HAIRY

I'm confused. Are these Mitchell's Mausers for sale or are they K-98 Mausers being sold by the NRA?

I'd confirm that the rifles were made in GERMANY during the war.

From what I understand, the Mitchell Mausers being sold were made in occupied countries during the war (which explains the markings).

They are not authentic, IMO, German K-98s, made by Germans, on German machinery, in Germany.

Dak To 68

The rifles in question are Russian Captured German K98's. If you look closely, you will see two arsenal repairs on the buttstock. Looks like Mitchell bought some RC's with nice bores and prettied them up. You can do better for less on Gun Broker or the gun shows, there's a lot of these around, and I understand there could be a Lot more coming from Russia. I have two nice ones that I paid a lot less for, and they are very good shooters. By the way the ones that they say have matching numbers I'm sure you would find that most of them have parts from various K98's, and have been "force matched" with a electro pencil. ALL matching German K98's are worth much more than these Russian capture rifles.

coreware

They are being sold by Mitchell; the ad was in the NRA 1st Freedom catalogue you get monthly if you are a member.

I asked if they were Russian captures and the man there said no, so according to the previous poster I am either being misinformed or lied to.

I also asked if these were rifles made in Germany during the war and he said yes. I was going to call to make sure the numbers weren't electro stenciled on the rifles.

Even if they are Russian captures, the shooter grade rifles don't sound like that bad of a deal. If anyone can point me in the way of a good deal, I'm game. I'm fine with Russian captures so long as the swatiskas and eagles are not destroyed, which, according to the man I spoke with, were both visible on these rifles.

Emmett Dunham

Their are some K-98 rifles for sale on the net right now that have the WWII markings on them for less money than Mitchells, I'll take something used with some use thats original.


Emmett

dfletcher

I think the service Mitchells provides is tracking down large quantities of guns, some of which may not be outwardly in very good shape, refinish and offer them for sale at a price higher than you could probably get on your own with a little searching. Their advertising of Yugo 48 Mausers would lead the (slightly) uninformed to believe they are buying a German made WWII production rifle, but the rifle itself is solid & in excellent condition.

Given a choice of again buying one that's packed in cosmoline and needs extensive cleaning or the Mitchells, I'd go with the Mitchells & pay more.

In this deal you have what they are advertising as German made K98s, WWII production & not RC. I think you'll want to visit their website and ensure the rifle you get is exactly what you think you should get - markings & all. I doubt a refinished gun could be classified as a collector, but paying more money with Mitchells usually translates into a better condition gun.

Dak To 68

I assume that Mitchell would put one of it's best examples in that full page ad. I repeat, look closely at the stock at the buttplate. See the two arsenal repairs? I have two of these with better wood than that, and I'm in them for under $300 per. Would really surprise me if these weren't Russian Captures with force matched numbers like my two. As I've stated, German made Kar 98's in good shape, with truly matching stamped numbers, are worth in the four figures. I also have a Yugo M48 as nice as any Mitchell M48 I've ever seen, and I'm in it At $210. Mitchell is like Mil Tech, a LOT of money for what you're buying. Look on Gun Broker auctions, hit relics, type in Mauser, and see for yourself.

e3mrk

I cant say anything about the K-98 but I purchased a Yugo Mauser from Mitchels and except being a little high in price it is a very nice rifel and I am happy with it.

Dak To 68

Checked with the Mauser guys at MilSurp. The story is that these rifles ARE Russian captures that have had the electro pencilled numbers buffed off, and have been refinished, reblued, restamped, etc. There's supposedly a company that does all this work for Mitchells. The accessories are said to be reproductions. Notice the polished, in the white bolt, this is incorrect for the K98. Might be worth the money, if the bores are excellent they will be fine shooters.

Wulfmann

The polished K98 bolt is certainly wrong.
Mitchels redoes their guns and as one "Expetren" put it; If you can not verify it is originial consider it made to be matching, ergo fake.
I have bought a few on GB a couple from Classic Arms (Those have Swastikas intact) and all shoot well to better, so far.
The question certainly is in how much work you want to do. The Russian bluing is wrong but we should be grateful for it preserving the metal that allows us to re-re-finish it back to correct-like.
Mitchells does do a nice job but you are paying them to refinish your gun. Some of us like doing that ourselves.
The biggest problem is now many matching guns will be "made" up and the true values will be diluted.
The biggest benifit will be many KAR98K rifles that are well made guns even when not matching that allows many many more of us to enjoy this historic gun from the Dark Side.
All KAR98Ks were made in Germany, the parts were. Many were assembled in occupied areas but the actual machined major parts game from German plants. Other 98s like the fine Czech 98s were not KAR98ks.
Bottom line is matching or not consider it a fake unless you can prove it is authentic.
If I have any that I sell off (In the future, I will keep them on their shooting quality first) that match I will even say that matching is suspect and should be considered so. But, IMO!

Wulfmann