Mauser 98 Sporter makeover

[NEKVT]

Eventually got a Model 98 sporter that I had always wanted but didn't get a picture of before the makeover so here is a description:

Std military length barrel turned down to slim profile
Clean, sharp, shiny bore
All original markings machined off receiver and barrel
Receiver stamped with 5 digit serial # for only markings
No cartridge designation except on tag (8mm Mauser)
Barrel had rough finish and was parkerized
Late manufacture K98 -bottom metal, trigger guard, magazine follower were stamped
Folding leaf express sight and solid raised ramp front sight with insert bead (have still not seen another picture of these sights anywhere)
Not d&t'd for scope base (didn't have to buy a scope for it, anyway)
Slim, lightweight custom walnut stock - checkered with raised cheekpiece and Schnabel tip
Butt plate and grip cap are smooth black plastic

Here is original stock
280005

Testing with midrange loads of 170gr and 220gr jacketed bullets determined the sights are regulated for SAAMI level loads 170gr @ approximately 2200fps
Shot well with both cast (RCBS 32-170-FN) and jacketed and developed loads regulated to sights for my purpose (woods hunting)
Eventually the stock formed a 6" crack along left side panel so it was time to do a makeover I had been thinking about for a while.

Started with a Bell & Carlson stock (love the feel of this stock and overall balance it gives the rifle)
Had issue with mag follower base separating from bottom metal so replaced bottom metal and follower with earlier pre-stamped versions and while adjusting to fit converted to blind magazine
Filled out trigger guard and floor plate markings with JB Weld
Removed parkerizing
Covered all rough metal and built up areas with Dura-Fil base to smooth out and overcoated with H&K Black Duracoat (first and only time using these products)
Stripped bolt finish to white for contrast

Quite pleased with the changes made and overall results.
280006
280007
280008
280009

[cwtebay]

That turned out quite nice!!! I have a 1903 sporter that needs that treatment!!

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

[smithnframe]

Looks good!

[Texas by God]

Ready to hunt!

Sent from my SM-A716U using Tapatalk

[racepres]

Express sights.
You interested in letting someone buy/borrow that Stock??? I think I may have access to a guy with a "Duplicator"

[LAGS]

I too have a friend that may be looking for someone with a Duplicator since I no longer have access to one.
He bought a Sporterized Mauser that he wants to Restore It , and can not find a replacement stock at a reasonable price.
So I am modifying another similar mauser stock to be like the original stock.
Nice work on your Mauser Sporter reconditioning.
Let us know how it shoots.

[bigwagon]

Nice looking rifle, especially with that stock.

[Texas by God]

Is the original stock repairable? I would definitely want to keep it as a backup- it looks nice and light.

Sent from my SM-A716U using Tapatalk

[NEKVT]

This stock is 1.7 lbs. The crack is above and parallel to the dark streak. Hadn't tried to repair since it had cracked so today I applied "Chair Tite" which is a very thin super glue that wicks into cracks. Applied to both sides of the crack then lightly sanded, stained and added a touch of linseed oil. Refinishing it may hide the crack even more. It should be stronger than before which obviously was not strong enough.

280139
280140
280141

[NEKVT]

There is a lack of info stamped on this rifle to ID where it came from but wondering if anyone has seen this type of front sight. It has an insert sight blade/bead so there must be others out there.

280143

[NEKVT]

I took the buttplate off this old stock and this was rolled up inside. It was cut from the corner of a 1948 calendar.

280155

Thomas J Poulin was a Pvt 1st Class with the 9th Infantry Reg, 2nd Infantry Div and was killed in action in S Korea 9/1/1951. He was from Providence RI.

This may be the record of sale from one to the other.

[David LaPell]

My local gun shop has a really nice Mauser 98 sporterized rifle. It still has all the markings on it, but it was reblued, the barrel looks to me like it was either turned down or replaced, the front sight is totally new and it wears an older Lyman receiver sight, put back just enough to be able to use the stripper clips. It was never drilled and tapped for a scope and has a really nice bent bolt handle and the stock is a really nice piece of wood that's well done with the checkering. It's nice to see them when they're well done like yours, because sadly there are so many out there that are hack jobs and Bubba guns that are just cut up and ugly.

[cwtebay]

I took the buttplate off this old stock and this was rolled up inside. It was cut from the corner of a 1948 calendar.

280155

Thomas J Poulin was a Pvt 1st Class with the 9th Infantry Reg, 2nd Infantry Div and was killed in action in S Korea 9/1/1951. He was from Providence RI.

This may be the record of sale from one to the other.My uncle did the same thing. It was sort of "invisible proof" that he owned the rifle. He figured if a gun was stolen, the thief was likely too lazy to pull off a buttplate or pistol grip so he'd be able to prove to the powers that be true ownership.

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

[mrmachinist]

Nice job. I love Mauser 98’s. I have 2 of them I have customized. Both shoot better than I can.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[eastbank]

280183280184280185 i bought this sportered 03A3 smith corona 3006 that came with a stock that was undone and had it redone taking about 2 lbs off of it. it shoots 165 gr noslers into tiny holes with my load useing imr 4350.

[charlie b]

That front sight base looks like it was made by the person who did the original work. Probably made the rear sight too since I have not seen an express sight like that either.

[Bodean98]

Sights were made by a German co. Recknagel. I believe they still make them.
High quality sights. NECG carries some Recknagel sights. Expensive stuff!

[NEKVT]

Thanks for the lead on Recknagel. According to their catalog, after the war Christian Recknagel moved the company to Schweinfurt and started to produce sights again in 1948. Based on the note found in the stock this sporter would have been assembled sometime shortly after so very well could have utilized their sights.

[sharps4590]

The rifle did come out nice, well done. But, I much prefer the original stock.

[Deaconllb]

I have a real nice 93 Mauser 7x57 that was built by a master gun smith, The trigger an safety was replace with a aftermarket and a very nice aftermarket stock may be a Boyd's the shroud was replaced with a nice polished after market. It came with a 2 piece dovetail base and a weaver Elpaso k6 fine crosshair scope which I replaced with a 3x9x40 Nikon. What I would like to do is get a nice engraver floor plat to dress it up a little more. I see them on EBay for 98 but none for a 93 contacted the seller to see if he would engrave mine buy answered back no and have not found any one in my area who can or will do mine so any ideas fellows would rather buy one out right if possible. Hope this ok to post here as we are talking Mausers
Thanks
Deaconllb

[oconeedan]

It is nice and refreshing to see respect for sporters. On most other places, the sporters get bashed and negative comments.
I am currently refinishing / improving my 03 Sporter that my late uncle sporterized in the 60's.
Unmodified old rifles should stay that way, but if they have been modified previously, go for it. That is what everyone was doing 50 years ago.
Dan

[444ttd]

It is nice and refreshing to see respect for sporters. On most other places, the sporters get bashed and negative comments.
I am currently refinishing / improving my 03 Sporter that my late uncle sporterized in the 60's.
Unmodified old rifles should stay that way, but if they have been modified previously, go for it. That is what everyone was doing 50 years ago.
Dan

unmodified rifles are beyond my paybook, but i do like old sporterized rifles. right now i am finishing up a 98 mauser stock that was made by richard's microfit stocks (wolverine style with grade aa fancy black walnut). it is a military barrel but it has a lyman aperture sight. i also fitted a dayton trigger. then when that is done, i'll finish(rotten stone and 3 in 1 oil) a bubbaed 1898 spr armory stock in 30-40 krag. i did do a no drill redfield 102k aperture sight on it.

i have a sporter 91 argie mauser(2 of them), 1 sporter and 2 actions sans bolt 1898 spr armory, 2 sporter 93 spanish mauser(they both need rebarreled) and a 1895 Chilean navy mauser action that needs done.