Mitchell's Mausers and C&R:

[icormba]

Well, for one thing, the "Tanker" Mauser, was not built for tank crewmen. From what I've read, they were built for hunting use and never intended for the military.
Mitchell's Mausers are not well liked by collectors, not only for their outright lies (such as Tanker Mausers), but also for the fact that they tend to restamp and refinish everything they get, then sell it for way more than it's worth.

If you are serious about collecting C&R rifles, get some good reference books and read up on what is real and what is fake.

So true! more info on the "tanker" model...

http://www.zastava-arms.co.yu/images/civilni/lovacki_karabini/16101.htm

[Bucc]

Sad but true on that markup.
I'd love to have one but not for 500 bones.

[run8]

Yeah, I had figured out that it really wasn't a military rifle(the tanker), what the heck damage was done. A shame a business has to do the things they do, and then pass it off to an unsuspecting public, or folks starting out collecting older rifles like I did.

So have they been known for putting the German markings on the K98's, by piecing them together and claiming it's all original?

It's been a few years since I got those pieces, oh is there ever a wide market out there, that's why I'm much more insterested in C&R collecting. I have a good friend who's a collector, he's very knowledgable, besides purchasing books I know folks here will be happy to answer questions.

Well, for one thing, the "Tanker" Mauser, was not built for tank crewmen. From what I've read, they were built for hunting use and never intended for the military.
Mitchell's Mausers are not well liked by collectors, not only for their outright lies (such as Tanker Mausers), but also for the fact that they tend to restamp and refinish everything they get, then sell it for way more than it's worth.

If you are serious about collecting C&R rifles, get some good reference books and read up on what is real and what is fake.

[Spiggy]

[Rogerbutthead]

If you really want the best advice I could give a new wannabe K98 collector - go to the this site:

http://forums.gunboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=6

read the "All new k98 collectors, start here! STICKY"

Collecting K98's - especially when you try for the all matching - collector grade types - is a minefield.

Regarding WWII K98 sniper rifles, several years ago I read threads where very experienced collectors were going out of the collecting Mauser sniper rifle mode as the fakers were getting much too good. If anything, they have gotten better. More than 9 out of 10 "sniper" rifles for sale are fakes.

Caveat Emptor

From a sad owner of numerous fakes and a very sore posterior.

[aklon]

All you have to do is see that chrome bolt the Mitchells come with and it is to laugh.

(Personally, I think the plum colored extractor of a real 98k is aesthetically pleasing.)

[Dr. Peter Venkman]

I've got to handle one of those G33/40s. They are just like M48s.

Personally I wouldn't send my C&R anywhere that I don't get to personally pick what I am buying.

[Mezcalfud]

a rifle is worth what you are willing to pay for it. My Mitchells was my first c&r rifle, I saw it, it was pretty, it was cheap (199) and I did not have a 03ffl. The guy sold it to me as an M48.

I am a c&r junkie now, all thanks to my MM. Oh and I love to shoot it, I get compliments on it and the teak stock is pretty ().

Yep, Mitchell's folks may be shady but so are others that sell kool-aid all day long.

[bigthaiboy]

My local gun store had a Mitchel's K98 in recently for $399. The guy behind the counter was curious to know more about it and showed it to me. It was obviously a Russian capture which had been refinished - a 1943 BYF in a flat buttplate stock. The wood was quite heavily sanded and the bolt and buttplate had been polished to a mirror finish. I was mildly pretty from a distance, but certainly not worth the extra $200 refinish job. The refinishing of course is a good way of reducing it's collectability.

This particular 43 BYF found a buyer a few days later, though, so it shows that there are people out there who prefer their war rifles pretty and shiny.

You can still find out-of-state venders selling RC K98s for $190 with no markings or $220 to $250 with the Waffenmakts.