Two k98's i just got at auction what next???

[Discus420]

I Just got these at auction I would like to clean them up and take them to the range. or should I leave them alone or what??
I don't what to lower their value I don't want to destroy anything. I have never restored or owned a mauser before.
I paid 1000$ for both?? Am I an idiot?

1 “bcd 41” 7.92mm SN# 8761 Matching SN#’s minus the bolt. Nazi Eagle visible. Missing front hand guard. Moderate rust. With leather sling

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pics are rifle 1

2 “27/1939” 7.92mm SN# 625 Waffen AMT280 . All matching SN#s

I will send additional pics

[Discus420]

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These are rifle number 2

[Discus420]

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more pics rifle 1

[Discus420]

more pics rifle 2340943409534096

[kcw]

Big question now is: WHAT DO THE BORES LOOK LIKE? I wouldn't worry about the wood, other than to find a replacement for the missing part. For now, as far as the metal goes, I'd take some oil soaked fine steel wool and gently rub that rust off of all the parts. At least that will stop further rusting. Assuming the bores were in nice shape, I'd just replace the missing wood, clean up the metal and shoot the daylights out of them.

[Discus420]

thanks kcw kinda what I was thinking I don't know about the bore so that's a guess till I get my hands on them

BUT IS IT A GOOD DEAL??? that's 1000 bucks I could do a lot with a grand hell I could get a garand with a grand

[Major Tom]

I think you did OK. Simple to replace the missing part and clean up the rust very carefully.

[JimF]

I have a Gew 98 (Amberg 1916) that was found in a barn . . . .

It looked much like your K98's (even had a missing handguard) . . . . but the metal that was protected by the wood was nearly like NEW!

Even the bore was/is in GREAT SHAPE!!

Maybe you will be as lucky! --Jim

[Allen]

thanks kcw kinda what I was thinking I don't know about the bore so that's a guess till I get my hands on them

BUT IS IT A GOOD DEAL??? that's 1000 bucks I could do a lot with a grand hell I could get a garand with a grand

You paid enough. If the bores turn out to be pristine as in shinny with good sharp rifling you did OK. If they turn out to be dark and worn then not so much so. Also depends upon how much rust and how well it will clean up. Hopefully there will be no pits.

[dave]

You say nothing about matched numbered parts or other original, or not, aspects of the guns. If you are a collector bores do not make a lot of difference. I have shot none of my collection for many years, just too many and they are all alike to shoot anyway. 500 each would be the top end for K98k's in this condition, but I am only going by the pictures, which are not the best. If I saw them in person more detail could be given.

[kcw]

thanks kcw kinda what I was thinking I don't know about the bore so that's a guess till I get my hands on them

BUT IS IT A GOOD DEAL??? that's 1000 bucks I could do a lot with a grand hell I could get a garand with a grand

It's an OK deal IF the bores are nice, or at least well shootable. At this point There's probably no way of knowing how they made their way into this country unless there's an importer or distributor stamp on them. Of course those weren't mandated pre 68', and of course if they were sent home from the ETO at the end of WWII there wouldn't be any either. I would caution you on the condition of the sling. Hopefully it's not dry rotted, as so many of that vintage are. Even if it looks good, it's still likely to need some treatment by now if it hasn't been previously attended too. Do some research into what product to use on 'antique" leather. On the subject of "restoration", if the one that's totally correct has an VG to excellent bore, you could consider having the metal hot blued to get it back to the original "like new" finish. Of course the problem with that is that you're probably looking at another couple hundred $, and then it still won't be "original". Wouldn't it be a surprise if there's a "duffle bag" cut under the middle bands!

[dave]

Hot bluing would make the rifle into a shooter and drop value to a sporter level, couple hundred dollars. Original finish was much different then hot blue of to-day and can be readily told by to-days collectors, who would never buy one. And collectors are the only people who will pay top dollar for these rifles, they hold the value up, like collectors do with anything "collectable"!

[rockisle1903]

bronze wool on the metal, no steel except possibly 0000, don't touch the stocks or the slings..other than a lightly damp towel on the stocks and wipe off..Don't take them apart if you don't know what you are doing, you will probably do more harm than good..Less is more with these rifles...

[dave]

..Less is more with these rifles...[/QUOTE]

I do not believe in that school of thought, those rifles never saw that kind of condition while in use! No military in the world would tolerate it! The condition they are in is due to years of neglect and poor storage and just not being taken care of. I do every thing I can to clean them up to at least condition they probably left the military in. I am speaking of rust, dirt, old dried grease and oil. etc., not honest finish wear. "less is more" is a sales BS line for lazy sellers!

[pzjgr]

A bolt mismatch, assuming all else is correct is easily a $600 gun....an all matching gun, assuming again, it is correct and matching is $1000 and up....I'd say you did great. 98k collectors don't care about bores....and if you do anything more than judicious cleaning you will greatly impact the value as collector guns.

All ting being equal, you can have an all matching gun "out of the closet" and untouched, and a collector may pay say $1200 for it. If you were to, say, sand and clean the stock....value drops to $800, easy. With 98k's originality is everything. If you want more info, and tips on what to do to clean them up post them here...

www.k98kforum.com

The best and most knowledgeable 98k board out there....

[Michaelp]

$1200 is pretty cheap for a matching K98 these days.

In recent times I have noticed the rise of the "patina freak."

These folks seem to think crud and gunk and corrosion is a good thing.

They wail at the thought of actually cleaning up a piece.

Stocks, need pretty much to be left alone, but bronze wool and elbow grease on rusting and corroding metal surfaces is good and necessary.

Buffing or grinding is verboten as well as actually "restoring" a matching piece.

Something found in poor condition, as the rifles discussed here nearly are, are kinda fair game.

[mike webb]

For $1000 you did good in my opinion.

[Discus420]

Thanks they cleaned up beautifully the mismatched bolt 8761 ended up being a dual code duv/bcd and the matching K98 well was a matching K98 I wish I could find more in that shape!3507735078350793508035081