I Crossed Over to the Dark Side

[Aragorn243]

Made a trip to Cabelas last night with my points really burning a hole in my pocket. Finally spotted a milsurp in the rack. Picked it up and it was a beautiful M48A (B actually) in unissued condition. Looked it over, everything matched and there are only a couple of very minor marks in the stock. Had to chuckle to myself a bit as I just got an unissued bayonet for one of these about two weeks ago and the wood color matched.

I checked the price, not bad but went to the book section to verify the value. For once they were actually selling for less than the book value so that looked good. Went back over, verified there were no other milsurps around and took it into the gun library. Checked the bore, didn't look like it had ever been fired. Start doing the paperwork on it and a sudden thought comes to me. I ask the guy, "This isn't a Mitchell's is it" He looks it over and seems to indicate it isn't so we proceed.

So I go do the paperwork, before finalizing I again asked a second fellow about it being a Mitchell's. He said that's out of his department. So I see a Mitchell's box behind the counter. But I thought about it and figured they didn't do anything to this anyway, this is how a lot of them are so went forward with it. It is a Mitchell's import but I don't think they touched it. I tried to get it apart to check for a refurbishment mark or verify the build number on the bolt/receiver but it is very tight and nothings moving.

Got a nice bonus of the ammo pouches, another bayonet which is not new and some other odds and ends.

I did read the booklet about the Mauser K98-M48 which I just bought an how it was made at the end of WWII and put into storage etc, checked every 5 years, etc which I think we all know is a lot of bull, the end of WWII part anyway. This would have been made late 50's-early 60"s I guess. I expect they did inspect them periodically.

So I feel good, but a little dirty at the same time. The best part, it was free. Didn't cost me a single cent. Love those Cabela's points.

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[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

I am going looking for a Mauser at the local gun show Sat. have been liiking for a k98 (no luck) if I run across a 48 or 27 at a reasonable price in reasonal condition I am going to purchase as a temporary Mauser fix. Kind of like your RFI No 5 bayonet purchase.

[fn111557]

I am going looking for a Mauser at the local gun show Sat. have been liiking for a k98 (no luck) if I run across a 48 or 27 at a reasonable price in reasonal condition I am going to purchase as a temporary Mauser fix. Kind of like your RFI No 5 bayonet purchase.

I just received my 48 ordered from SOG. 3 day delivery to my door, hand pick option, and 3% C.C. surcharge, total $306. (see link to my post below)

Bring on the 8mm surplus ammo . . .

[Aragorn243]

I am going looking for a Mauser at the local gun show Sat. have been liiking for a k98 (no luck) if I run across a 48 or 27 at a reasonable price in reasonal condition I am going to purchase as a temporary Mauser fix. Kind of like your RFI No 5 bayonet purchase.

The Mausers really seem to have dried up around here. At least reasonably priced ones. They have been at the gun auction and some go very high but a few have been ok. They had a very nice M48 at the auction this past weekend and I was going to bid on that if it went low but it went for sale after the Swiss 1911 and the Type 38 so I didn't even stick around to see how much it went for.

I'm glad I didn't stick around for it after finding this one. It was listed at $325 and was being sold as used, not a Mitchell's import. Mitchell's sells them for a lot more than that, I checked last evening. I wouldn't pay Mitchell's prices, even with using points.

[NRA]

The Mausers really seem to have dried up around here. At least reasonably priced ones. They have been at the gun auction and some go very high but a few have been ok. They had a very nice M48 at the auction this past weekend and I was going to bid on that if it went low but it went for sale after the Swiss 1911 and the Type 38 so I didn't even stick around to see how much it went for.

I'm glad I didn't stick around for it after finding this one. It was listed at $325 and was being sold as used, not a Mitchell's import. Mitchell's sells them for a lot more than that, I checked last evening. I wouldn't pay Mitchell's prices, even with using points.

but? without pictures did it ever really happen?

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Engenious ploy to encourage posting of photo.

but? without pictures did it ever really happen?

[erno86]

Not really trying too plug, but I'm a member of a gun club at the AGC Marriotsville Gun Range outside of Baltimore City in Baltimore County. Its the same range where James River Armory field test's their refurbished German K98 Mauser's, Springfield O3A3's and
M-1 Garand's. I'd check out that German Mauser James River sells, with that reproduction Zestava scope and mount's on some very good looking German Mauser's.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

I'd check out that German Mauser James River sells, with that reproduction Zestava scope and mount's on some very good looking German Mauser's.

The prices are not crazy. I will take a closer look. Thanks!

[Aragorn243]

Photos, you want photos? I'll do my best. Still trying to figure out how to get it apart. Blasted band springs won't move, probably packed solid with cosmoline.

After checking the James River prices, I'm even more happy with my purchase last night. $389 for their M48A's.

Off to take some photos.

[Aragorn243]

This is the first rifle I've bought that the wife is actually impressed with which is a bit scary in itself. She calls it "pretty". The bayonet is not the one that came with it. The one that came with it is used, the frog is dark with oil and the scabbard has a bit of corrosion on it. The sling is well used and considering the condition of the rifle, I may try to find a new one for it, something to think about.