98k Russian-captured from Empire Arms

[sesh]

BBT arrived today with both my 98k and my barrel vice! This makes me happy. I took the photos in a hurry so the lighting isn't great. The wood is solid with some cosmoline remaining and a few small nicks and chunks missing which have been well worn down by handling. Metal finish appears to be very good but I haven't cleaned it up yet and there's a lot of dark tacky stuff on it. There is no evidence of any peening of markings. The Russians electro-penciled everything they could and even got the number wrong on one part. Original parts are not all matching numbers. The barrel shows some very minor pitting and surprisingly sharp rifling. Import stamp is from Coles. This gun should clean up well and be an excellent shooter.

98k photos (http://www.sesh.org/98k)

['TUDE]

Nice . Even a laminated stock to boot.
Let us know how it shoots.

[masman]

very nice.who's the importer?all i could make out was louisville kentucky.

[usmc326]

Probably from the Sixth Army. Looks like a really nice one.

[sesh]

Importer is Coles Distributing. As soon as the Wisconsin weather cooperates I'll be out at the range. Wouldn't you know it hits 55 and sunny during the week but I'll bet this weekend it'll be 30-40 and raining.

[usmc326]

Originally posted by Sesh:
<STRONG>Importer is Coles Distributing. As soon as the Wisconsin weather cooperates I'll be out at the range. Wouldn't you know it hits 55 and sunny during the week but I'll bet this weekend it'll be 30-40 and raining.</STRONG>

Sesh: look out the window! Here in Minneapolis, MN we've got 5" of snow already, with 8"-14" more before it ends...never fails!! :D

[sesh]

I don't mind snow. That won't stop me from shooting. It's cold rainy weather that I hate. By the way, can anyone recommend a good website for Mauser markings?

[masman]

i don't know a website but i do know a good book.backbone of the wehrmacht excallent book it will have all the codes and markings in it both tapco and century arms are selling it now.

[fn-d]

Wow. That is a Mauser Werke rifle made at Oberndorf. The date code indicates that the rifle was made in 1935.

That date code is relatively rare.

Good find.

-Robbie

[sesh]

Hey thanks for the info fn-d. I am often surprised at some of the C&R guns I receive but it's not always a good surprise as in this case. IIRC, all of Dennis's lot was 1935.

[marko16]

The world was not a better place when the Russkies discovered the electro-pencil.

[awp101]

Originally posted by masman:
<STRONG>backbone of the wehrmacht excallent book it will have all the codes and markings in it both tapco and century arms are selling it now.</STRONG>

I don't see it on TAPCOs website. Is it hidden someplace other than "Books and Videos"?

[Dryfire]

I think I might have screwed up two weeks ago. I looked at a 98 that was all matching but did not have anything on the receiver ring. It did not look to be ground off. The only marking on the side of the barrell, besides the serial number, was a "G". The old guy selling it marked it down to $130 since it had no markings on it. He said it came from Century. It had the large sheet metal butt plate and looked really good overall.

[Ssarge]

I didn't have my C&R out in time to get on the Empire wagon. So I ordered one from Samco Global yesterday. It's supposed to be 80% or better for the hand select. We'll see.
I told my wife about how much money I would be saving with a C&R, I really don't think it will be cheaper in the long run!