Greymon's Mauser K98 restoration thread

ST19AG_WGreymon · February 23rd, 2011, 06:14 PM

So here it goes a 1940 Mauser K98K 42 Code Russian Capture. The one I got from Auction Arms in this thread: http://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=52265

KeepShooting did the transfer for me. I am going to order the front sight hood, screws, cleaning rod, and bayonet at a later date. I first want to get the stock back to it's former glory. That's easier said than done since I have no experience in this area. So I would like you guys to walk me through this, I hear it involves denatured alcohol and linseed oil, correct me if I'm wrong. I'm also wondering about that screw in the last picture above the trigger area, I don't see that in any of the Mausers in the Mauser Picture Thread.

05dodgedaytona · February 23rd, 2011, 06:21 PM

Very nice.

j8064 · February 23rd, 2011, 06:44 PM

First, it's a nice Mauser. Take your time and learn before you go stripping finishes and fixing stuff. Understand what you're going to do before you do it.

I've recently restored several Turk mausers. Not the same rifle, but very similar. There is much to be learned on stock repair and refinishing on this forum: http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/index.php. Join, read a lot and send "Candyman" a PM there. He's a master at stock repair and refinishes.

You'll also get much advice here. But as I said, take it slow and plan ahead. And we definately want to see pics of your progress.

P.S. That screw above the trigger and under the bolt handle looks like an added crossbolt (recoil lug). It's not a normal action screw and could have been added by the Ruskies, You'll need to look closer inside to see why it's there and what it's there for. Could be a stock crack it's trying to reinforce. There are ways to reinforce cracks inside the stock that are invisible on the outside.

metalman3006 · February 23rd, 2011, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j8064

P.S. That screw above the trigger and under the bolt handle looks like an added crossbolt (recoil lug). It's not a normal action screw and could have been added by the Ruskies, You'll need to look closer inside to see why it's there and what it's there for. Could be a stock crack it's trying to reinforce. There are ways to reinforce cracks inside the stock that are invisible on the outside.

My Norwegian stock I purchased has a wooden dowel through the same place. Seems a lot of the stocks separate there.

Garand1957 · February 23rd, 2011, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metalman3006

My Norwegian stock I purchased has a wooden dowel through the same place. Seems a lot of the stocks separate there.

+1
I have seen a few Norweigan stocks with a wooden dowel in that area.
First time I have seen a cross bolt there...The Russians usually put it in the wrist area. It's to reinforce an internal stock seperation in the trigger area that is common but normaly never a problem.
If it was mine after you strip off the shellac (if that's what you intend to do) I would cold blue that cross bolt just to make it less noticeable. I also cold blued the electro-pencil #'s to make them less noticeable as well.
If you want it to look more "original" you need to remove the Russian blue from the buttplate.

ST19AG_WGreymon · February 23rd, 2011, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garand1957

+1
I have seen a few Norweigan stocks with a wooden dowel in that area.
First time I have seen a cross bolt there...The Russians usually put it in the wrist area. It's to reinforce an internal stock seperation in the trigger area that is common but normaly never a problem.

So what you're saying is...mine is unique. XD Is this good or bad?

RollTide · February 23rd, 2011, 09:08 PM

Nice mauser, I gotta check out auction arms more often. I just got one from wideners a couple weeks ago but paid $75 more.

Drmsparks · February 24th, 2011, 06:05 AM

I'm about to take a second shot at the one I was doing. There is too much crud left in the grain from the russian shellacking. Just doesn't show off the grain like I was hoping. Might have to re strip and bleach it.....

ST19AG_WGreymon · February 24th, 2011, 09:52 AM

The bore is nice and shiny too!

I'll be taking more pics once I start restoring her.

hvymax · February 24th, 2011, 09:55 AM

I think the dishwasher trick steams out a lot of the dents and dings while giving a good cleaning. You will want to wait till the wife is not around though.

KMK1862 · February 24th, 2011, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ST19AG_WGreymon

So what you're saying is...mine is unique. XD Is this good or bad?

I think it depends on what you want out of your rifle. AFIAK, that extra bolt/lug near the trigger gaurd wasn't standard issue. If you want an R/C K98k its good. If you want to restore the gun as close as possible to the way it looked in 1940 when it left the factory, then, IMO, it's bad.

ST19AG_WGreymon · February 25th, 2011, 11:47 AM

I decided to do a light refinishing. I wanted to get her a little lighter but for now she's okay.

Before:

After opening her up, I found out what that bolt was for:

Reinforcement near the trigger guard area, wish there was a way to remove it.

Finally, after a very light refinishing:

Overall she's much smoother now, Russian red is off, she's a little more brown now. I may go for a second pass at maker her lighter in the future.

j8064 · February 25th, 2011, 12:04 PM

The Mauser looks much better. As you can see the reinforcement was added to repair the crack still visible in the pics. Could you remove it? Sure. But you'd need to put a cross dowel in its place. It's probably not worth the effort. If it was me, I'd cold blue the visible metal on the repair to make it less noticeable and call it a day.

Redd Byrd · February 25th, 2011, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j8064

The Mauser looks much better. As you can see the reinforcement was added to repair the crack still visible in the pics. Could you remove it? Sure. But you'd need to put a cross dowel in its place. It's probably not worth the effort. If it was me, I'd cold blue the visible metal on the repair to make it less noticeable and call it a day.

Wood looks nice but remember that it will never be anything more than a cleaned up Russian captured & refurb'd Mauser and that is a part of it's history.

ST19AG_WGreymon · February 25th, 2011, 01:45 PM

I have the cleaning rod, front sight hood, capture screws, and sling on order. It cost me $45 as a package. Time to find a bayonet.

KMK1862 · February 25th, 2011, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ST19AG_WGreymon

I have the cleaning rod, front sight hood, capture screws, and sling on order. It cost me $45 as a package. Time to find a bayonet.

Does your rifle have the notches on the front sight for the hood? Your rifle is 1940 model, IIRC. If the notches aren't present your rilfe won't take the sight hood. Nothing wrong with this, just the earlier K98ks didn't have sight hoods and weren't designed to take them. Just an FYI for you.

ST19AG_WGreymon · February 25th, 2011, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KMK1862

Does your rifle have the notches on the front sight for the hood? Your rifle is 1940 model, IIRC. If the notches aren't present your rilfe won't take the sight hood. Nothing wrong with this, just the earlier K98ks didn't have sight hoods and weren't designed to take them. Just an FYI for you.

I made sure it had the front sight hood before I even bid.

ST19AG_WGreymon · February 26th, 2011, 02:05 PM

I'm contemplating steaming out the dings as others have suggested but I kind of like the "war-torn" look it has at the moment.

Garand1957 · February 26th, 2011, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ST19AG_WGreymon

I have the cleaning rod, front sight hood, capture screws, and sling on order. It cost me $45 as a package. Time to find a bayonet.

I got one I could sell you

PM me if interested for details

February 23rd, 2011, 06:14 PM	#1
ST19AG_WGreymon Air Force A1C Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Laurel, MD Posts: 1,260	Greymon's Mauser K98 restoration thread So here it goes a 1940 Mauser K98K 42 Code Russian Capture. The one I got from Auction Arms in this thread: http://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=52265 KeepShooting did the transfer for me. I am going to order the front sight hood, screws, cleaning rod, and bayonet at a later date. I first want to get the stock back to it's former glory. That's easier said than done since I have no experience in this area. So I would like you guys to walk me through this, I hear it involves denatured alcohol and linseed oil, correct me if I'm wrong. I'm also wondering about that screw in the last picture above the trigger area, I don't see that in any of the Mausers in the Mauser Picture Thread. __________________ Looking for: PTR 91 GI SGL 31-94 or other 5.45 sidefolder 5.45 Krinkov GSG5 2 AR Lowers in limbo since 4/26

February 23rd, 2011, 06:21 PM	#2
05dodgedaytona Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Cecil County Posts: 2,776	Very nice. __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ NRA Member MSI Member Maryland Designated Collector C&R FFL

February 23rd, 2011, 06:44 PM	#3
j8064 Garrett Co Hooligan #1 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: McHenry, Garrett County Posts: 5,348	First, it's a nice Mauser. Take your time and learn before you go stripping finishes and fixing stuff. Understand what you're going to do before you do it. I've recently restored several Turk mausers. Not the same rifle, but very similar. There is much to be learned on stock repair and refinishing on this forum: http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/index.php. Join, read a lot and send "Candyman" a PM there. He's a master at stock repair and refinishes. You'll also get much advice here. But as I said, take it slow and plan ahead. And we definately want to see pics of your progress. P.S. That screw above the trigger and under the bolt handle looks like an added crossbolt (recoil lug). It's not a normal action screw and could have been added by the Ruskies, You'll need to look closer inside to see why it's there and what it's there for. Could be a stock crack it's trying to reinforce. There are ways to reinforce cracks inside the stock that are invisible on the outside. __________________ "Happiness is a warm gun..." - John Lennon, 1968 "Happiness is also a warm Beagle" - j8064

February 24th, 2011, 06:05 AM	#8
Drmsparks Old School Rifleman Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: PG county Posts: 6,430 Images: 24	I'm about to take a second shot at the one I was doing. There is too much crud left in the grain from the russian shellacking. Just doesn't show off the grain like I was hoping. Might have to re strip and bleach it..... __________________ Joined MSI yet? MSI Executive member --- NRA Life Member --- CMP Competitor --- NRA Sharpshooter

February 24th, 2011, 09:52 AM	#9
ST19AG_WGreymon Air Force A1C Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Laurel, MD Posts: 1,260	The bore is nice and shiny too! I'll be taking more pics once I start restoring her. __________________ Looking for: PTR 91 GI SGL 31-94 or other 5.45 sidefolder 5.45 Krinkov GSG5 2 AR Lowers in limbo since 4/26

February 23rd, 2011, 09:08 PM	#7
RollTide Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Greenbelt Posts: 48	Nice mauser, I gotta check out auction arms more often. I just got one from wideners a couple weeks ago but paid $75 more.

February 24th, 2011, 09:55 AM	#10
hvymax Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Dentsville District 28 Posts: 9,506	I think the dishwasher trick steams out a lot of the dents and dings while giving a good cleaning. You will want to wait till the wife is not around though. __________________ Wal-Mart (where the discriminating white trash shop) Good Luck and Good Shooting John B

February 25th, 2011, 11:47 AM	#12
ST19AG_WGreymon Air Force A1C Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Laurel, MD Posts: 1,260	I decided to do a light refinishing. I wanted to get her a little lighter but for now she's okay. Before: After opening her up, I found out what that bolt was for: Reinforcement near the trigger guard area, wish there was a way to remove it. Finally, after a very light refinishing: Overall she's much smoother now, Russian red is off, she's a little more brown now. I may go for a second pass at maker her lighter in the future. __________________ Looking for: PTR 91 GI SGL 31-94 or other 5.45 sidefolder 5.45 Krinkov GSG5 2 AR Lowers in limbo since 4/26

February 25th, 2011, 12:04 PM	#13
j8064 Garrett Co Hooligan #1 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: McHenry, Garrett County Posts: 5,348	The Mauser looks much better. As you can see the reinforcement was added to repair the crack still visible in the pics. Could you remove it? Sure. But you'd need to put a cross dowel in its place. It's probably not worth the effort. If it was me, I'd cold blue the visible metal on the repair to make it less noticeable and call it a day. __________________ "Happiness is a warm gun..." - John Lennon, 1968 "Happiness is also a warm Beagle" - j8064

February 25th, 2011, 01:45 PM	#15
ST19AG_WGreymon Air Force A1C Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Laurel, MD Posts: 1,260	I have the cleaning rod, front sight hood, capture screws, and sling on order. It cost me $45 as a package. Time to find a bayonet. __________________ Looking for: PTR 91 GI SGL 31-94 or other 5.45 sidefolder 5.45 Krinkov GSG5 2 AR Lowers in limbo since 4/26

February 26th, 2011, 02:05 PM	#18
ST19AG_WGreymon Air Force A1C Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Laurel, MD Posts: 1,260	I'm contemplating steaming out the dings as others have suggested but I kind of like the "war-torn" look it has at the moment. __________________ Looking for: PTR 91 GI SGL 31-94 or other 5.45 sidefolder 5.45 Krinkov GSG5 2 AR Lowers in limbo since 4/26

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