Gun Show Stuff

[Ron J]

When I walk through these now my eyes only stop on mil-surp and others sporters. The members here that have posted their work should be proud. There are older sporterized Mausers for maybe 250.00 that look decent. Sometimes they carry older stocks that look to be Fajens and I figure if I can use the wood and only rebarrel it may not be too bad. Then take a closer look. Wow. I didn't realize you could grind a bolt handle that thin without being able to put it in your pocket after opening. Forget trying to figure out what it was, don't bother asking about head space and if you really want a confused look mention re-heat treat. I'm sure there are many that have been done well. Tucked away in someone's safe and worth alot more. Saw my first marked "GEW". Curved down non matching # bolt, with AMBURG 1917 on the top ring. Nice shape with a nice $300.00 tag to go with it.

[bilurey]

Gunshows have produced some of my best project rifles from poorly done Bubba sporters. I got a 1915 matching Oberndorf Gew98 BA as a swap against a Turked 1918 Gew98 because the seller liked the German style sporting stock I had put on my rifle, in spite of it's shot ot bore. His cut down 1915 had a great bore, Redfield full band front sight mounted, and a vintage Redfield peep mounted.

 

I also got a few from the gun auctions by doing searches which produced 98s without any mention of M/K/Gew/Kar or Mauser. Last two were an S/42G (1935 Oberndorf) matching, including the magazine spring (never seen this before). Barrel cutback to 20" and POS stock didn't detrach from the value of the Lyman 48 first pattern peep with it's fold up/down backup apeture.

 

The second is an ar41 K98 with sights, stock, bands, and triggerguard replaced. The complete bolt, receiver, barrel, trigger, guardscrews, ect. are all matching. Again the POS stock, but also, an almost new Lyman48 second pattern peep sight.

 

Also got two high number Springfield 03s, both cut for Petterson semi-auto assembly (great gas blow-by, like the thumb cut in a 98 Mauser). One had a Lyman48 Peep, the other a type C stock with the forend cut back. Bores on all rifles above are good to excellent.

 

The costs ran from $150-185 from least to most expensive (all purchased in 2006). None were restorable due to reblueing, D&Ting, or shortened barrels. So, I got great actions which don't need rebarreling, blueing, front sights, peep sights, and only two which need bolt handles modified. Guess where I got a bunch of unfinished, uninletted, or slightly injured stocks with nice wood and room to make into classics. Same two sources!

 

I take a full day every week and search the gun auctions for "rifle", "rifle stock", "receiver sight", and then very specific types (Mauser, Springfield) and occasionaly models (M/K98, Vz24, 1903, ect.). Bores you almost blind until you begin to make some really interestng finds. Unfortunately, I'm unable to work on them now due to bad lungs, can barely smoke a cigerette anymore, in spite of being on Oxygen. Bill

 

 

[Nelsdou]

The last couple of shows I've been to several very fine sporting mausers have shown up. The kind that make me gasp and catch my breath. Funny thing is, the general crowd there seems to be running ahead to look at the AK-47's, sks's and glocks. Fine with me.

 

I've noticed too these sporting mausers are being shown on consignment. Makes me wonder if the passing on of the WWII generation and the baby-boomers retiring that more of these mausers may be coming back into circulation.

 

Nels

[Guest guest]

this is one babyboomer when retired will not give up my mausers.out here they all are looking at ak's and sks's also. I'll keep my mausers till I pass on, then my daughter gets them.

[AzRednek]

I occasionally see smoking deals on unfinished sporters but more often than not when I bump into a friend that beat me to it. On the other extreme there are those unfinished sporters somebody dumped alot of money into, lost interest and then tries to recoup their investment. Ever wondered why unfinshed sporters usually sell for a good price but when the vendor is asking way to much you never hear the word sporter, it all of a sudden becomes a "custom rifle project".

 

[Horsefly]

The shows we have in Fort Worth stink.It's a great place to find jerky,cheap jewelery and watches.The same crooked dealers show up year after year,and I recognize them and just walk past without even talking.The Dallas Gunshow is still good though.Jerry

[Ron J]

I went to another last weekend. My first in a while as I've been working every Saturday. This one had the most good stuff in one room in at least a year. Two Swedes that were sharp. Both Gustavs. One had holes drilled in the rear bridge on an angle across (???) the other was normal. $295.00. One Model 98 1937 in very good shape $275.00 and a 24/47 that was nice except the front tang on the bottom metal was banged up altough fixable $149.00. This was reciever porn compared to the last 5 shows. However, I wussed out due to my wife's recently becoming unemployed. I feel guilty about toys when I'm the only source of income and the mail box is full. I really was sick over the Swede. I have no desire to own a Mauser in original configuration, but I could make an exception for a 96. They are becoming my favorite. There were two rifles built by Keith Stegal in the 70's. IIRC they were pre-64 Winchesters. They were drop dead gorgeous, wood, fit, checkering...etc. $2,000.00 each. And no one was looking at them. Just like you guys said, everyones hanging around the sks-ar looking stuff. To each his own. I think they are uglier than a mud fence.