1940 Mauser w/ barrel issues - What to do?

[CitaDeL]

My brother has a rifle that has been in the family for two generations. It was apparently our grandfathers, and it is said that he had used it deer hunting.

It is a 1940 K-98 8mm Mauser with Nazi markings- Clearly it is a bring back, but neither my brother or I are sure who brought it back or how it was obtained. My grandmother's brother was in the Navy during the war- I suspect that he might be responsible for our little treasure.

As pictured, it was retrofitted with a Monte Carlo stock in the long distant past and has what appears to be some attempt at welding evident on a couple of spots on the barrel.

We would like to make it a shooter and would need an idea on whether the barrel could be repaired or replaced.

[tujungatoes]

The barrel can definitely be replaced. I'm not sure about repaired.

Is that a hole, that someone's attempted to weld shut?


Either way, it should be a simple project for any competent gunsmith.

[Noonanda]

It reminds me of pitting, but it is too localized, aka only in that one little spot, where as you should see pitting over a larger area. Barrel replacement is probably the only option.

[CitaDeL]

Okay- so it needs to be re-barreled by a gun-smith. Any recommendations for this job in the Yuba City, Sacramento area- with any idea on cost.

I think we realize that this not being in original issued condition doesn't help the market value. What we are hoping for is a safe, accurate, working heirloom.

[6mmintl]

Looks like a shrapnel ding, does it shoot a round shaped group? size? distance shot? ammo used? or does it shoot like a shotgun? 2-4" group at 100 with irons is typical.

If its just dinged on outside and you cannot see bulge/darkness inside near dinged area it should be ok as is for a hunting rifle. Or you can throw lots of mony at it.

[Argonaut]

The outside of the barrel has little to do with it's utility. Look at the bore, if there is a problem there, original Mauser barrels are cheep and a gunsmith should install it for maby 100.00 but look inside to see if it is even necessary. Why was it "clearly" a bring back? They have been sold for decades, many without import marks. A "bring back" is nearly impossible to establish without provenance.

[CitaDeL]

Looks like a shrapnel ding, does it shoot a round shaped group? size? distance shot? ammo used? or does it shoot like a shotgun? 2-4" group at 100 with irons is typical.

If its just dinged on outside and you cannot see bulge/darkness inside near dinged area it should be ok as is for a hunting rifle. Or you can throw lots of mony at it.

Battle damage hadnt really occured to me, in part because where this damage is would be located under the orginal stock- probably where the barrel bands were. I suppose its possible.

Neither of us has shot the rifle and I doubt that it has been fired or cleaned since the 1960's. To be honest, Im afraid to shoot the thing- If the barrel is warped or bulged, I would hate to blow it up or get injured.

The outside of the barrel has little to do with it's utility. Look at the bore, if there is a problem there, original Mauser barrels are cheep and a gunsmith should install it for maby 100.00 but look inside to see if it is even necessary. Why was it "clearly" a bring back? They have been sold for decades, many without import marks. A "bring back" is nearly impossible to establish without provenance.

Yes, provenance is a little thin. While it is hearsay, the rifle has been in the family since the late 1940's. Was inheirited in the 1960's by my parents.