Combat Wear

Bob in OHIO · Feb 28, 2010

First, I am most delighted to see this site and it's already my home page.

So, let's talk about typically wear patterns that are found.

I am curious when the only real wear is the right side of the bands which are brownish yet the receiver and floorplate are 98%. The bands on the left side are quite nice... any thoughts?

Turbo Archie · Feb 28, 2010

Show us a picture..

I have been studying the effects of "Wall hangers".

I wounder if that applies here..

..

Bob in OHIO · Feb 28, 2010

There is some toning on the LS, particularly on the rear band...

Hambone · Feb 28, 2010

Bob in OHIO said:
There is some toning on the LS, particularly on the rear band...

BiO, that rifle is too nice to illustrate "wear"

I'm anal about looking at period pics to check out wear and how weapons are carried.

Bob in OHIO · Feb 28, 2010

Hambone said:
BiO, that rifle is too nice to illustrate "wear" I'm anal about looking at period pics to check out wear and how weapons are carried.

This 1939 MO is v nice, just odd the only place for "wear" is the right side of the bands...
Maybe a "hanger" per Turbo...

Here's another damn nice receiver and rather worn floorplate...

Hambone · Feb 28, 2010

Another nice one Bob. I think of the various wear points on rifles as individual "character". We are all different sizes and have our own personal ways of carrying and using weapons. A taller soldier, or one with shorter arms, my stand holding and picking up his K98k by the front band and barrel. A shorter person or one with longer arms may grasp the lower band. Balance points at the receiver / barrel and at the floorplate may vary, as will the firing hold points. Multiply this "muscle memory" over a couple years of use and the person carrying the rifle has literally placed his mark on it.

One thing I always notice is the wear on the left side of the barrel directly under the front sight from the thumb being laid along it or touching it.

touhy · Feb 28, 2010

Any thoughts on these? I see this on many of my stamped floorplates. The two on the right are blued. I can see how holding wear causes the loss of bluing on one end, but seems the change is too well demarcated to be caused by a hand. Is is some method of storage where something is in contact with the front part i.e. strap or rack?

The left one is phosphated and I see this area of discoloration not infrequently. This doesn't seem to fit into a wear pattern. Related to the manufacture process?

Turbo Archie · Feb 28, 2010

That was hardning for the spring release...

..

Turbo Archie · Feb 28, 2010

To me Bob, it could have leaned up against the wall on that side in the closet, Also the sling would protect the left side of the band and if leaning against the wall on that side would space the gun away allowing some air to get in there and keep moisture down.

It seems a gun only needs a small amount of fresh air that can keep moisture from trapping. Its when a gun is mounted on a wall or leaning on a wall in a closet that traps moisture and starts to freckle.

Could also just be handling from the troops from the war and the sling protected the other side.

...

whcoyote · Feb 28, 2010

Laid on a table on it's right side for a long time?

mauser202 · Feb 28, 2010

Were all the parts blued at the same time and in the same tank on a given rifle? If not maybe a differst mix or worn out salts could cause the blue to be less durable on the small possiblely subcontracted pats such as bands,floor plates and trigger gards.

Turbo Archie · Mar 1, 2010

I would guess the sling in this case.

Bob, what does the TG look like on this one??

..

Bob in OHIO · Mar 2, 2010

Archie- The actual trigger guard is very nice with light toning.... maybe like the right side of the bands, and certainly not as nice as the floorplate. I like the sling protection theory. This one did have a sling on it for a long time...

Hambone · Mar 2, 2010

mauser202 said:
Were all the parts blued at the same time and in the same tank on a given rifle? If not maybe a differst mix or worn out salts could cause the blue to be less durable on the small possiblely subcontracted pats such as bands,floor plates and trigger gards.

Mauser, steel takes to bluing (or vice versa) differently depending on content and heat treatment. That can account for differences in wear as well.

Bob in OHIO · Mar 2, 2010

Here's one that appears to have had a grenade launcher applied...

Lancer-86 · Mar 2, 2010

This thread reminds me why I love collecting k98s. It was loved, hated, pissed on, bled on, and cherished by some poor kid marching across Europe...

Combat Wear

Bob in OHIO

Senior Member

Turbo Archie

Well-known member

Bob in OHIO

Senior Member

Attachments

Hambone

Community Organizer

Attachments

Bob in OHIO

Senior Member

Attachments

Hambone

Community Organizer

touhy

Well-known member

Attachments

Turbo Archie

Well-known member

Turbo Archie

Well-known member

whcoyote

Well-known member

mauser202

Senior Member

Turbo Archie

Well-known member

Attachments

Bob in OHIO

Senior Member

Hambone

Community Organizer

Bob in OHIO

Senior Member

Attachments

Lancer-86

Senior Member