How difficult is it to get a KAR 98 Stock?

I've been watching a KAR 98 for about six months now. It's none matching but other than being re-blued, appears to be unmolested. Original sights, even has the locking screws. Stock has been sporterized which is the big problem.

Since it's been there so long, I'm hoping I can get one of my deals on it but it's all kind of pointless if I can't get a stock for it along with required metal.

I believe it is a1918 Danzig rifle, marked KAR 98 on the receiver. Stock has the cutout for the sling that has been filled so not sure if that is even original to it. I have found no Nazi proofs anywhere, just imperial stamps.

I will probably do some research on the correct stock for it over the weekend. Quick search on the web found no current active sales.

Probably a bit of a unicorn but with your luck you will find two for one at a garage sale.

Once again I suggest a WTB here...the way things seem to go, RCS has one in his pocket.

A WTB would require a certain amount of coordination unless I simply break down and buy the thing. I guess the next question is would $250 be a good price on a KAR 98 that needs a new stock and barrel/stock accessories?

well i happen to know some one who has a stock set with all wood an metal left :madsmile:

That would be awesome.

See how easy that was?

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

See how easy that was?

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Neighbors none the less.

here is style i have
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psjfvmwrr8.jpg

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https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ce73kvz9-1.jpg

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https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...jfvmwrr8-1.jpg

I hate to tell you this but this will not work. He needs a Kar98a stock from WWI. You have a Kar98k stock from WWII. This will not work, sorry. The WWI wood is VERY tough to find these days.

well thanks for that info I was not sure thanks

Thanks for trying Mike.

what is the difference?

They are very different models. The WWI is a small ring Mauser and the WWII is a large ring Mauser. Try the want to buy ads and Ebay as well. But realize you need a WWI Kar98a stock.

So, look here and those that can't see the difference...can see the difference. It's all in what you ask for.

will keep my eyes open never know what i will find when i get the next load of parts guns or wood from a closed shop.

thanks, i was expecting minor differences, hence the question, not obvious ones.

the KAR98a is a really nice looking rifle.

The ONLY one I've ever seen around these parts was a duffle cut bring back. The bore was done and the duffle cut was unrepaired.

While I was searching for a GEW98, I came across at least three KAR98's. I didn't want a KAR98 at the time so passed on them. Prices weren't terrible and one was downright decent but it wasn't on my shortlist. Still isn't really but the one sitting for six months at the gun shop is now bothering me. "Take me home" I hear every time I walk in the place.

Looks like I could get the rifle for $225 out the door. Considering it but will probably wait until weekend gun show, who knows what will turn up.

Would there not be any of the stocks from the various export models of Mauser made between the wars that may be compatible with the Kar98?

I was wondering that myself but have not had a chance to pull out any of my South American rifles to compare them too.

Cabelas had one tonight but at over $1100 was WAY overpriced. Ask about it and the guy said the bayonet was worth $300. I asked if it was a sawback and he confirmed it was. Even so at over $800, the rifle is still pretty pricey. Said it was in excellent condition but was refinished so I don't think the price is justified. I didn't bother looking at it, it was in the case in the Gun Library.

Hard to find one with a decent barrel. I have owned 3-4 over the years and only one had an OK bore. Wood is not available, perhaps someone in Europe might have seen a stock. Just don't see the wood often. Try Ebay and here, this site. Also go to CMP and post on their wanted ads. Good luck.

Let me add one more thing. The wood is hard to find but you must also find the proper barrel bands. They are not around, but a closed up gun shop is a start. (Hint) They do not take the standard Kar98k barrel bands, but use their own bands. Just keep that in mind.

I think the Polish KAR 98AZ wood is similar of not exact. Wood or a doner might be easier to find and less costly if it fits and is correct enough.
The bolt disk & stacking stake seem to be the primary differance.

The bore on this one is mint, that's what is creating the quandary. The metal is in excellent shape and if I could even find a crap worn out KAR98a, I could put this one inside it and have a great rifle.

Polish wood is probably almost as hard to find. I did think of that as I do have a Radom and I know they used some German guns to assemble them.

The price is right. Grab it and start looking. Good luck.

http://www.egun.de/market/item.php?id=5954526

http://www.egun.de/market/item.php?id=5964739

`Tis the main German site, but they understand English and shipping shouldn´t be much of a prob. (except for the length). There should also be plenty more ... just use the search engine.h

German site might be useful but those two you listed are the later K98. I have created some confusion by calling it a KAR98. KAR98a would be more accurate. It's the WWI model which is why it's so hard to find.

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Originally Posted by Calif-Steve

The price is right. Grab it and start looking. Good luck.

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I'm pretty close to doing that. Shop closed until Tuesday and I need to scrape together some cash.

Looking for a KAR98A WWI stock as well. Unicorn metal parts seem hard to come by. Will share if sources are available...

You will find Kar98a barrel bands on trash bins on tables at the big gunshows. No one knows what the bands are and what they are for. So you MIGHT pick them up for a song. But, you must beat the bushes and be serious. Closed up gun shops are great, too. Good luck. A note: I long ago stopped helping dealers price their odd stuff. I got run off at a table once and was called a "F###" another time. So if you see something real for dirt buy it!

I did decide to get the rifle. Going to try to take this one slow so I'm not dumping a ton of money in it. Did find repro stocks for them but would run about $350 to get a set shipped. Not sure at this point that I want to invest that much. Found most of the missing metal and that's going to run another $100 and some of it is Polish.

The stocks are beautiful so tempting but not original so not sure how I feel about them.

PPHU Fox - Wooden gun stocks

That stuff is so nice I'd do it. If you don't, the original stuff will never show up. If you do, the original stuff will show up the next day. Do it and be happy, forget about getting original wood after that. Put it together and let it be the center piece of your really neat collectibles. The price on original wood will be staggering and the gun still isn't original, the wood won't look that good...

I knew I shouldn't have put the link to the stock up. So if I were to decide to get a stock, what are the opinions of getting the stamps on it? I did some looking around and can't tell if they look correct or not. I had a guy try to sell me a M74/81 one time with really fake looking marks and he swore the "brand new" looking stock was original. I knew it wasn't. I wouldn't try to pass this off as original either but if the marks are correct, they also look nice. But if they are not correct, I'd rather have a plain stock I think.

Can you not ask the manufacturer for a plain stock? These guys should be able to do that. And as for publishing the site, that's just good info for us for later...

Jim,

Plain stock is the standard base stock. The markings are like $10 extra. They can put a serial number on along with I believe the site said Bavarian markings.

I wanted to post the site to help people, but I figured someone would talk me into actually buying one which is why I made the comment. They do sure look good and the metal on the rifle I picked up while not new is in pretty good shape. Stock metal is where I'm going to be hurting I think. With a stock like that I'll pretty much have to refinish any metal I find.

I looked at those while seeking my k-98 stock. Very pricey but do appear to be quite nice looking.

What a tangled web we weave when a bubbaed milsurp we recieve.

I still think it's the way to go. Them forget about looking for original wood, you have a beauty and in 70 years no one will be able to tell...as for externals of the metal bits...clean them up and let it sit for a couple years to see what you think then.

Lets discuss the proper stock then. I have an Erfurt 1918. The stock it came in while cut down still shows it to be a version I according to the website. No disassembly hole, no finger groove. I don't know if this was a put together rifle from an earlier time of not. I would think it would have a later stock but not having to find the butt disk would be one less thing to worry about. Photos seem to show 1918 Erferts having the finger groove and hole.

They claim to have both versions or a combination...whatever you like. I'd go with whatever the butt you have looks like. The hardware for the stock hole would be same as standard I should think.

According to Ball, anything produced after 1915 should have grasping grooves. Does not give a specific date of the disassembly hole but those produced in 1918 are shown with it. They also were re-stamped/issued in 1920 which mine was not. How do they attach to the stock, I never did anything with them before.

Ball only devotes three pages to the KAR98a. Not much to go on.

The disks on the debubba I just refurbed were a bit larger in diameter than the recesses in the stock. I ended up enlarging them with an x-acto knife ,dremmel and lots of time. I think the correct method would be to do the recesses with a forsner bit. Saw somwhere on line a tutorial on the removal & installation of the disks themselves. I used a hammer & large tapered punch to reset the disks.The inner tube is flaired at each end to retain the disks.

And the quest begins. Rear band with screw purchased this afternoon. I don't think I'm patient enough for this, used to be but the older I get, the faster I want results.

I used to hit the many Pa. shows when I lived in Virginia. Hagerstown show was very good for old, odd toys. Start looking around, you will find stuff. NEVER ask for Kar98a stuff.

I have never been to the Hagarstown show and now I don't think they can have it anymore. Not sure on that but Maryland has some tough regulations in place that I think may have shut them down. They may still have the military collectors show but I heard that was very expensive.

Allentown, PA show still around? Always fun and they had an Amish Market on the grounds. Neat place to hang around. It was a long drive for me, but the gunshow had lots of odd stuff.

Allentown is still around but my least favorite of all the larger shows. Guys seem to mark all their prices up 30% for this one.

I have located the lower band, the lower band screw, the stacking rod, the stacking rod nut, the hinged front cap, and the hinge screw. I think the only things I'm still missing is the bayonet lug, the lug pin and the small metal tube the lower band screw goes through. In addition to the stock of course. I suspect the small tube and lug pin won't be hard to find or replicate but the bayonet lug will be a challenge. Has to be model specific due to the hinged cap. I'm getting closer to ordering the new stock but not quite there yet.

Keep watching, it'll appear.

I found a complete stock with all the metal with the exception of the stacking rod which I already have so should have it in hand and assembled in about a week. I now have some extra metal if anyone is looking for it. Rear band, front band, trigger guard, butt plate, floor plate. Also a sporterized stock.

Good news.
Awaiting results.

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Originally Posted by Aragorn243

I found a complete stock with all the metal

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Told you it would appear...

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

Told you it would appear...

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Only because I am not the one looking.

I usually only find what I am seeking after I give up (No 5 Mk1 bayonet) or after I purchase one for to many $s (saw two,yes two Hakim bayonets on the same table this week end bought one hoping it was better than the one I had and payed too much for).

I hear you there...

I paid through the nose for it but it was cheaper than buying the repro stock plus I have all the metal to sell so I'm content. Stock has nice tiger striping and looks good with the exception of one large gouge that could be from a bullet strike. That's what I'm going with anyway. Just popped up on ebay last night. I made him an offer, he countered I accepted. Was one other guy making an offer on it as well so I didn't want to take a chance. I was almost ready to buy the repro but I'm very glad this one came along before I did.

Could we see a few pictures of your KAR 98 stock when it arrives, please, especially of the "bullet strike", thanks.

"The harder you work the luckier you get"

They are crappy photos but it's what I got.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...sgh8nmfy-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...tkhkutfw-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...bvmevzyw-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...idu7a8sh-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...jgtfmuwu-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...dvkyuj0p-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...koycojfc-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ghpqyh6j-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...6tjf6fku-1.jpg

Yep, you've got a stock...and soon we'll see the whole rifle. That'll be neat. Feels like it was something I completed here...

Expected delivery day of Monday. Can't wait.

I doubt you could have found a nicer stock, the striping is stunning and the gouge is at the right place and angle to add character rather than look bad.

looking forward to seeing it all together. I think this one will be something special.

That is quite a stick of lumber. This is getting exciting.

Is there any consensus of opinion on the damage to the stock actually being a bullet strike? The wood appears to have been cleanly taken out and if it is an actually bullet strike may well have spoilt the day for the person holding the rifle at the time, perhaps permanently?

I don't know that a bullet strike is what it is but it sure looks like it could be one. I also agree that the wood was cleanly removed but that is pretty much what you would do if a bullet hit. You aren't going to let the frayed splintered wood there and yes, I also agree that if it is a bullet strike, it probably was not a good day for the holder. Being on the right side would probably not be a fatal hit. I'm thinking shoulder but could have gone clean through the armpit area without hitting him. Might also explain the care in smoothing it out. Good luck charm.

More than likely it took a smack out in the field and someone just carved the damaged splinters out of the way.

Party pooper.

A guy has been selling repro slings for these on ebay ever since I started this discussion. I did not purchase one because he had two basic versions, old leather or new leather. I figured if I bought the new repro stock, I'd get a new leather sling. But if I got an original stock, the old leather would look more appropriate.

I go on last night to order one and they are GONE. I expect he'll list them again, hope so anyway.

Remember, you said that was how your world works...they'll come back.

I realized I never posted photos of the before, so here they are, as purchased minus the commercial sling swivels and sling:

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...mkttlo9k-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...41qwbzua-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...hl2v7pgw-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...a45tyqzb-1.jpg

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

Remember, you said that was how your world works...they'll come back.

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Sling guy is on vacation, back in August.

We'll be here, holding our breath...

Twiddling thumbs. Mailman assures me it is on the truck. It is in the town, I know that much. 5:45, post office closed 45 minutes ago. Trucks do still deliver after closing. Wishing it was UPS.

USPS vs Santa in the brown truck.
Waiting on the government.
Story of my life. Alas government paperwork = job security.

they took it back to post office just so you would get worked up.:D:D

The Eagle has landed. No real surprises other than it's a lot dirtier than it looks in the photos. I have it all together, discovered I'm missing one part, the little metal ring that holds the handguard in place next to the receiver. I plan on cleaning it up tonight, maybe photos tomorrow. Has a little bit of paint spatter on butt. Not planning to do much to it other than wiping with oil. Has three lines scratched in it. Never had a rifle with those on it before. Not sure I want to speculate. Just the stock anyway, not the rifle.

It cleaned up faster than expected.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...pbfthffe-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...hexmchey-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...mqtm3wyf-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...r55ivcmr-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...abil9fup-1.jpg

These two photos show what could possibly be a small piece of shrapnel, it's embedded pretty good. Almost pulled it out and had second thoughts. I initially thought it was a letter A stamped into the wood, then I saw the shine of the metal.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...xg6tncmy-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...gugz3ntj-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...uo5la3n9-1.jpg

Cartouche in the handguard.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...qcjpwbxm-1.jpg

The three lines on top of a horizontal line.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...vxbpzasu-1.jpg

Three stock cartouches.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...hqn9vgtn-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...fosrcsls-1.jpg

Has strong tiger striping all over, I like it. Lots of character also.

Outstanding. I will remember this one next time I see a shelter pet.

Mein Gott that Walnut figure,,,Mmm,Mmm...

I think i'm in love. that is beautiful.

the resurrection was definitely worth the time, effort and $.

Very, very nice. Finally...

After all this was completed, I'm left with the following items if anyone is interested. I'll sell them for what I paid for them. PM me.

Sporterized stock with recoil lug
Hinged front band, no screw
Rear band, no screw
Stacking rod nut
Floorplate, with spring and lifter- Not German marked
Trigger guard
Butt plate with screws

I still need the handguard retaining ring if that is what it is called. I can't find many listings for them, wondering if another rifles ring would work.

nice job well done whats the next project.

I really don't know. I don't really go searching for projects, they just seem to fall into my lap. I have that 24/47 to put back together but not having much luck locating what I need for it. Just keep me in mind if you come across anything unusual.

Well got to talk to old distributor in morning today He is doing summer inventory an found some old stuff.
according to him he got to move some old military junk both good an bad. So keep your fingers crossed.
I am selling more of the bolt less yugos thank the better ones. go figure

the chances are I can not help you from here, but what is on your "want" list?

My want list is pretty small right now. A lot of my recent purchases and projects weren't on it, they were opportunities. I started collecting with the intent of getting one each of the major rifles for the major powers in WWI and WWII. I've ended up picking up a lot of secondary rifles and expanding both before and after the wars. What is currently on my list that I can afford is an M38 in an M38 stock. I've been seeing a fair number of M38's but all are in M44 stocks. The other three on my list I can't really afford, only one, a 1903 Springfield is high priority. The other two, a Canadian Ross and a Soviet SVT-40 are really back burner. Hoping with a new administration the restrictions on Russian imports will end and the SVT-40 will be affordable again.

Mike,

Oddly enough, I just got a complete 24/47 stock with all the metal for $37 on ebay tonight so that project will be completed sometime next week.

well that was a great deal for you makes a nice rifle for what you got invested.

Yep, I have a cleaning rod coming from somewhere here in the states and a sling coming from Serbia. The stock is filthy, blackened oil by the looks of it in the photos but I can see some nice grain under all the crud. It will take a day or so to clean it up.

well whole saler gave be a boat load of the sporter yugo's with bolts an some are matching numbers will be having a back to school sale lolololol:madsmile: