Buying a Mitchell Mauser from a buddy

[FailsafeOperator]

Hello,

I came across your forums when I was doing research for Mitchell's Mausers, and found that people have some pretty extreme views about this company.

It's good to know what I am getting into before I make a purchase, and the people on this forum certainly seem to know what they are talking about.

First off it's not my intention to start a heated debate as I am looking for more of a discussion. A bit of some back ground.

My buddy at work needs some money and tells me he wants to sell his old guns that his father gave to him before he died. I'm in the market for something and express interest in a Mauser that he says he has. At this point I have no clue what I am getting into. With out me seeing the rifle, he throws out 600 dollars and claims it's a unfired new K98 from Germany and it's a collector's addition. From here I start my research.

I go to various websites and get a firm grasp on the variations and what increases the value. I've seen some authentic K98's go for $1100 dollars and also seen some go for as low as $210 dollars. I didn't understand what made my buddy's rifle so special.

So I stopped over at his house and I see a Mitchell's Mauser box, Bayonet, Case, Strap, Oil can, Cleaning kit, ammo pouches, etc. This thing looks top notch and it appeared to have all the serial numbers matching. Everything looked legit except for the fact that the rifle was an M48 and not a K98. Plus all the old dinosaurs I have come across in the local gun shops are pretty bad. So I do some digging. I find all sorts of excellent conditioned rifles that go from $210 (6 months ago) to $300 on current auctions. Unsure if it's the Obama effect but anyway. We finally settled on $375 and he threw in 60 rounds of ammo.

I looked up the Bayonet online and they are going for around $45 bucks. I figured it's a fair price considering he originally spent $550 dollars on the rifle alone.

So what say you? Now take into account I am not a collector of old historic rifles. I am probably going to use this thing for hunting or just take it down to the range although I won't be outfitting it with a plastic stock any time soon.

Am I making the biggest mistake of my life or is that a fair price in his post Obama world?

Thanks for reading.

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[breakeyp]

It is a good deal if you can sell it immediatly tomorrow for what you paid today. I wonder at their resale value. I don't collect Mausers but I wouldn't buy one of theirs as a personal opinion.

[NRA]

IMO you did just ok nothing special. If it makes you happy that is what really matters.

[Aragorn243]

With the 60 rounds of ammo, not terrible. The Obama effect hasn't really impacted the old bolt action rifles much. Mitchell's rifles are real rip offs for the prices they want for them but they are nice rifles for the right price. I picked up one at Cabela's not too long ago, earlier this year I think. Didn't cost me much of anything as I used points but if I recall, the asking price was $275 which I felt was fair for what looks to be an unfired, brand new rifle which a lot of M48's are. It came with all the goodies and they called it a K98/M48 on the box.

[Patrick Chadwick]

unfired new K98 from Germany

I could put that in the collection, next to Henry VIII's shotgun, Napoleon' revolver, and a genuinely unfired original Martian howitzer. Sorry, have to rush now, to feed the flying pigs!

P.S: As a shooter, not a collector, the deal was OK with all the acccessories.

[FailsafeOperator]

I could put that in the collection, next to Henry VIII's shotgun, Napoleon' revolver, and a genuinely unfired original Martian howitzer. Sorry, have to rush now, to feed the flying pigs!

P.S: As a shooter, not a collector, the deal was OK with all the acccessories.

Hehe. I should have clarified that neither him or his father has fired it. After reading up about it on the website I realize that it rightfully so get's test fired before being shipped out.

Aragorn's comment makes me want to pursue a better deal, although I know for a fact that my buddy really takes care of his rifles. There wasn't a bit of rust on any part of the rifle.

Either way, thanks for the input and if anyone else has any suggestions or comments, feel free to throw them at me.

[lee sherman]

Well, for what it's worth, so to speak, I paid $400.00 for my Yugo M-48. It is totally pristine and appears to be unfired with no handling dings or whatever. The bolt face shows no signs of use. All #'s match of course. It shoots just fine. Sure, I probably overpaid for the rifle but the excellent condition won me over. I have no regrets. It is not a Mitchell Mauser retread. Have at it.

[Midmichigun]

I tooo have a M48. I missed the "unfired" version... but got a "good to excellent" condition version when they were everywhere. I find it to be well made and a good solid rifle. I haven't followed the prices on them, but they are a nifty addition to any Mauser collection.

[OLDER THEN DIRT]

Hey Failsafe. don`t worry what others say. If you like it shoot it & do it to it. I bought a Turk 03/38 8mm a while back. I over paid for it, but what I liked about it was all matching #`s including the bolt, pristine bore, & it had a Tiger stripe stock on it. I`m not a Mauser collecter, I have a 30-06 & a 270w & I wanted an 8mm shooter also. So I cut the barrel down to 22in & recrowned it & cut thestock to the end of barrel. Now it`s a Manlicher style rifle.. I change the sights also. I put a long ramp sight on the front & a Lyman peep on the receiver. I have to say it is one hell of a shooter. At 100yds with my reloads I can put 5 in a 3in bull. I get some flack every so often at the range why I cut it down, but it`s mine to do as I see fit.

[gew8805]

All matching Turk? Hmmmmm.....

Matching Turks of any kind are almost unheard of, as a matter of fact downright rare.

You cut it down for a sporter? Well, as you said, it's your rifle. "Parts is parts" as an acquaintance of mine used to brag when he did this sort of thing.