Restoring a KAR98 - Is it worth it?

[Hanzy4200]

My neighbor called and said he was selling some rifles for a friend. Most were junk, and the only military rifle was a sporterized KAR98. I asked, and he said $50. Of course I bought it. It appears all matching minus the floorplate, and is a 1910 Erfurt. It has been reblued, and the front sight replaced. Stock is original, but has been cut back, the rear sling mount has been cut out and filled. Butt plate replaced. Is there a stock option out there that would at least resemble an original and not break the bank? It will never be a show piece, but I'd like to get it looking somewhat decent. In it's current state it just makes me sad to look at it. I'll try to add a couple pictures then.

[Texas by God]

A small ring 98 would be nice to have. And what a deal you got! I'm not sure how easy to find that a Kar98A stock will be, though.

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[MrHarmless]

You'll spend a bit doing it, but you can probably completely restore it between Numrich and Liberty Tree Collectors. I don't see any harm if it's already been bubba'd. I like them in their original configuration.

[sukivel]

I would do it, perhaps it would like someone to restore its honor.

A few years back I got a cheap 6.5 Arisaka so heavily bubba’d it was shameful. The bolt was cut and tweaked and barely worked, had an intact mum too!

Again, I would do it...


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[WinchesterM1]

You could restore it for around 4-500$ I’m sure but then it will always be just a re-blued pieced together mauser...

[Wayne Smith]

Front sight replaced - military stepped barrel? Make sure it is full length before you invest in wood.

[Texas by God]

This is just me, but I'd go ahead and turn it into the light weight 7mm Mauser sporter that I've always wanted.

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[444ttd]

you should destroy it. just send it to me at........

[jimlj]

My son bought a bubbified Lee Enfield No1 Mk3 for $100, and spent over $300 on wood and parts to bring it back to somewhat original. It's a pieced together rifle, but he loves it.
It's your rifle, I say go for it if that is what you want.

[muskeg13]

Front sight replaced - military stepped barrel? Make sure it is full length before you invest in wood.

Shouldn't be a stepped barrel if the barrel is original. WW1 KAR98a and AZ as well as the Polish KAR98wz has a straight tapered barrel from the rear sight mount to the muzzle.

[perotter]

I never would. To me a mil surplus that has had a bit of sporterizing done to it is of double historical value. Not only does it still have 100% of it's military time, it show cases a time of inexpensive surplus being converted to a more practical rifle for hunting.

[Bigslug]

1910? I'm no Mauser expert, but I tend to think most of the carbines and short rifles came later, and that this likely started life as a 29" barrel Gewehr 98, and was subjected to at least one military revision to short-rifle configuration before Bubba got his hands on it?

Like perotter says, you're kinda dealing with firearms archaeology there. Worth looking into the what, when, and where of the thing before you go bananas on it.

[Wayne Smith]

Shouldn't be a stepped barrel if the barrel is original. WW1 KAR98a and AZ as well as the Polish KAR98wz has a straight tapered barrel from the rear sight mount to the muzzle.

Did not know that. My Chilean 7x57 (93 Mauser) has a stepped barrel - I just *** u med that they all were.

[GregLaROCHE]

I’d say first thing would be to slug the barrel acquire some correct size boolits and try shooting it. See how it shoots and feels to you. A consideration is getting a synthetic stock for it and keeping it sporterized and enjoy it. Probably a lot cheaper than going for a complete original restoration. If you want an original, look for one for sale in the state/condition you want. You’ll save money in the long run without a lot of time spent and frustration.