The Swedes provided the steel to the Germans for the first Germanicon made M96's. They are supposed to be high grade steel. The very early pre-WWI Mausers were made of very plain steel, a step above iron, but steel. The M98's gain their strength through the design and the steel is a moot point for a M98. The M93's and the M96's would benefit from high grade steel. However, most of the M96's are pre-WWI and are the best of their era. Do be aware of that.