Mauser K98 Question on refurbishment

[rl2800]

I would appreciate some input on this subject.

A short time ago I purchased a K98 from SOG in pretty beat up condition. See pics.

The good thing is that the markings are untouched. However there were field mods done to the weapon that I'm considering undoing. The sling position was moved from sideways to a vertical carry. This was done by hammering the forward sling loop into a reverse position and nailing a loop in the buttstock.

I am considering removing the buttstock loop by pulling the nails out and replacing the front loop with a standard part so I can return it to its original sling configuration.

Good idea or bad idea?

Thanks

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[OLDER THEN DIRT]

Now that`s what I call, a real Bubba job!!! (the sling loops of course)

[Aragorn243]

If it were mine, I'd probably restore it.

But something to consider is that it could have been used by a partisan during the war without access to a proper German sling and it is thus historically accurate.

Then again, it could have been done by some country bubba hauling it into the woods for deer.

It just seems odd that it would come from SOG in that condition, they usually purchase military stores from what I gather, not items held by private individuals.

[rl2800]

That's exactly my concern. I have no records for the weapon except for the markings. 42 - AR so it was made in Berlin in 1942. When I recieved it SOG indicated they were 'not mess with'. Although I could hope that is was captured and modified by the allies during the war there is no way to prove it. If it was done by the Russians would it be worth keeping?

[m4a3sherman]

SOG Purchased those from a company called FGS Firearms. Before he sold them all to SOG, I had purchased one from them and they are indeed good candidates for restoration. One will notice that it is NOT a Russian capture, and all of the 98ks they had were of similar condition. Mine did not have that sort of swivel added but there were various tacks and gouges and other things in the stock. FGS had once said they were "battlefield pickups," whatever in the hell that means, but indeed, none of them looked to be Russian Capture. My best guess is that they ended up in another country after the war were they saw service, and were eventually imported here. As many of us know, 98ks from defeated Nazi Germany were dispersed to many countries either as war reparations or sold off entirely. So, perhaps for whatever country used it post-war, it might be correct, but there is probably no way to know where they came from. I would say restore it, it would be an enjoyable project! Good luck!

[CapnJohn]

try this guy for stocks, original and he is good!!

www.k98stocks.com

[geladen]

I have seen K98k rifles modified for a bottom sling before but NEVER one like that. If it were mine, I would remove the rear swivel and fill in the nail holes - at least it was not inlet for a swivel base, that is a plus. Then I would get a hammer and block of wood, and see if I could return the rear band to its original shape. I would try REAL HARD if the numbers on the band were matching.

[Patrick Chadwick]

Restore it!. Forget fantasy explanations - a partisan would have found the original sling position more useful. The sling-under position on a short rifle or carbine may make sense if you are a hunter carrying the rifle in hunter style - slung in front of the shoulder. But it is a lousy position if you are a combatant of whatever kind - you have to take the rifle off the shoulder and reverse it to get into action. That rear sling loop is just plain Bubbary. Remove it. Try and bend the barrel band back into shape if the number matches. If not, a replacement should be easy to come by.


Patrick

[Sarge]

The first thing I saw when I looked at your photos is that the stock is not for that rifle. The correkt stock is with a cupped butt plate, not the flat one.
Since this will never be anything but a shooter it really doesn't make any difference and is not worth the cost to replace it.
Shoot it and enjoy!
Sarge

[Thumper]

I bought one of those SOG rifles and I love it. The stock is very nice, has a good bore, although dark and is a great shooter.

Mine has a few mixmaster parts that I have replaced with the proper ones and I love it.
Shoots lead fantastically.

Glad I bought it.