Sporterized 1939 S/42 Mauser. Is it too Far Gone?

[russham]

Hello. I'm a noob to these awesome guns (not to guns though) but found this at an estate sale of a very old gentleman for $200 with three boxes of 8mm Mauser ammo. I have looked for many hours trying to learn about then but there are so many different variants. From what I think I know, it's a Sporterized Mauser made K98k built in 1938. The stock was trimmed. The numbers seem to match except for the stock. There are some coins put into the stock, one being Nazi. Under the butt pad it is written "Rick Richardson R.C.A.F. Britain, France, Belgium, Holland" on a metal sheet. The butt pad is made from some clear type plastic. This is all I might I know. I have attached images. I tried to get them as clear as possible. Thank you so very much for your help.

What I want to know is: Is there anything special about it? Is it worth keeping to shoot? Did I get a good deal? Has the sporterization totally ruined it? I'm not sure if I want to keep it yet? I really like it though. I did share it on another forum but only had a couple of responses. Thank you so very much for your help!

Here are some of my images.

 

[russham]

Here's more images:

 

[russham]

And more. I hope this is okay. Please delete if this is too many images.

 

[pzjgr]

Way to far gone to bother with...way too much bubba'd, would be way to much $$$ to restore, better off just buying one not bubba'd...

ETA Its cool just as it is, and for $200 it was a swinging deal, cool engraving on the buttplate, interesting with the coins, I'd just leave it as is as a shooter and piece of history...

 

[russham]

Way to far gone to bother with...way too much bubba'd, would be way to much $$$ to restore, better off just buying one not bubba'd...

ETA Its cool just as it is, and for $200 it was a swinging deal, cool engraving on the buttplate, interesting with the coins, I'd just leave it as is as a shooter and piece of history...

I figured as much. That you so much for that.

 

[Mauserguy85]

Absolutely too far gone. Would cost you a small fortune to turn it back to k98k configuration and it still wouldn’t be right anymore. Holes would need to be filled, a replacement stock secured. Barrel/sight components replaced. Of course, the stock, handguard, bands, band spring, rear sight assembly, front sight, bayo lug would all be coded and serial numbered to your rifle. Impossible to make it fully matching. Enjoy it as it is. For that price, that’s a hell of a hunting/shooting rifle. You can’t even buy a ruger 10/22 for that price. How is the bore? The bolt face looks great and the finish is overall very nice. In one way, it’s a shame what was done to it, but on the flip side it’s kind of cool.

 

[bigwagon]

The missing sights are what really kills it. If the barrel and sights were still original, you could throw it in a Russian capture stock and put some filler screws in the peep sight holes and at least have something that looks mostly correct. But as it is now, it's best left the way it is.

 

[russham]

The missing sights are what really kills it. If the barrel and sights were still original, you could throw it in a Russian capture stock and put some filler screws in the peep sight holes and at least have something that looks mostly correct. But as it is now, it's best left the way it is.

Absolutely too far gone. Would cost you a small fortune to turn it back to k98k configuration and it still wouldn’t be right anymore. Holes would need to be filled, a replacement stock secured. Barrel/sight components replaced. Of course, the stock, handguard, bands, band spring, rear sight assembly, front sight, bayo lug would all be coded and serial numbered to your rifle. Impossible to make it fully matching. Enjoy it as it is. For that price, that’s a hell of a hunting/shooting rifle. You can’t even buy a ruger 10/22 for that price. How is the bore? The bolt face looks great and the finish is overall very nice. In one way, it’s a shame what was done to it, but on the flip side it’s kind of cool.

Thanks guys! This is the exact info I was looking for. I shall keep it as as shooter. You all are great!!

 

[TexHill]

It may not be original anymore, but it can tell a service man's story. May I suggest that you attempt to look into Mr. Richardson's service history. You may come away with a better appreciation for the rifle as it is.

 

[nirvana]

Once it’s been drilled and tapped, I’m out. I used to restore stuff back in the day, but they are typically money pits. Im a collector and not a non-profit, so I don’t have any desire to put four figures of money into three figures of gun.

 

[Cyrano4747]

Once it’s been drilled and tapped, I’m out. I used to restore stuff back in the day, but they are typically money pits. Im a collector and not a non-profit, so I don’t have any desire to put four figures of money into three figures of gun.

Yep. Really once metal is cut at all most of the time.

There are a few exceptions, but they're rare enough that you're deep into advanced collector territory.

 

[Wulfmann]

I agree with everyone but I can also see how if you get lucky and find the sites (not impossible) then you could make it far more K98k-ish as a shooter

The trick is to let it come to you meaning shoot it, enjoy it and keep an eye for site parts, a stock etc. It will never be right but it can become a long term who knows project. Some people get ahead of themselves and go on a quest. That would be bad in this case.
It has to be more of if you find it fine if not that is OK to
Just a thought

 

[Mauserguy85]

I agree with everyone but I can also see how if you get lucky and find the sites (not impossible) then you could make it far more K98k-ish as a shooter

The trick is to let it come to you meaning shoot it, enjoy it and keep an eye for site parts, a stock etc. It will never be right but it can become a long term who knows project. Some people get ahead of themselves and go on a quest. That would be bad in this case.
It has to be more of if you find it fine if not that is OK to
Just a thought

How is it not impossible though? I’ve been through the rabbit hole myself. Finding the correct rear and front sight for this rifle in which all the individual components are proofed and numbered by this particular manufacturer is literally like winning the mega millions. Same goes for the bayo lug, band spring, front band, etc. If it’s a very late war rifle, then yes it’s not only possible but probable to find the correct replacement parts, but this…. Impossible. Unless you’re just looking to make a mixmaster in military configuration. However the money you will spend to do that will not even be worth it. What’s a RC stock go for nowadays? A complete rear sight assembly?

 

[Wulfmann]

I never meant find the correct SN parts that would require divine intervention but to make it a decent parts gun would not be difficult and if one waits for the parts to come to you maybe another $500.00 so $700.00 for a bolt matching gun IMO would be far better than any RC.
Having the patience to wait is the hard part and many people could not let it sit for the lucky day for each part
Most definitely IMO

 

[Mauserguy85]

I never meant find the correct SN parts that would require divine intervention but to make it a decent parts gun would not be difficult and if one waits for the parts to come to you maybe another $500.00 so $700.00 for a bolt matching gun IMO would be far better than any RC.
Having the patience to wait is the hard part and many people could not let it sit for the lucky day for each part
Most definitely IMO

I still have hope…. It’s been like 15 years so far trying to find the matching bolt for my ce43. I will never give up! Lol

 

[Wulfmann]

I still have hope…. It’s been like 15 years so far trying to find the matching bolt for my ce43. I will never give up! Lol

Closest I got was on a 36 Sauer bolt mismatch SN 262 I found a early SN 662 bolt. Action felt like butter

 

[Mauserguy85]

Closest I got was on a 36 Sauer bolt mismatch SN 262 I found an early SN 662 bolt. Action felt like butter

I got close too on my ar43 code finished by Sauer. Serial is 7881c and I found a complete late sauer bolt 7831c.

 

[whcoyote]

That Redfield receiver sight is probably worth what you paid for the rifle. I would go the other way. Buy a Boyd’s stock and make it look like a respectable spotter.
(Please, no heresy accusations. Sometimes things have gone too far to retrieve)

 

[mauser99]

basically a interesting piece of trench art. Leave it be and use it as intended if you shoot or hunt. The owner probably the who brought it back made it the way he wanted. This was the fate of soooo many bring back rifles.

 

[Nobody]

I commensurate and follow these threads with interest. I came to the forums in order to research/learn more about one of my rifles. A "Sporterized," 1915 Gew98M S/42G (Berlin) The stock had been cut down, heavily sanded and varnished. Had to go.

*Like the OP, I got a deal you just don't pass on. In my case, I traded a semi-auto .22lr with a UTG red dot for my Mauser, So total $175-200'ish. (About 8-9 years ago.) Pulled it out of the back of the safe about 8 mo. ago and the interest elevated.

I had a Mauser forum friend (inthe10ring) put me on his list, (#17) for making me one of his Custom High Figure (English Walnut in my case) Stocks. Turned out beautiful. I am about to change it out and address a couple missing lock screw and a sight spring issue (Have what I need.) and put it all back together. Gonna be a beauty.

Very much looking forward to seeing it done.

I enjoy these threads and seeing how various people approach their issues, based on what they started with/were left with and their before and after's. (Depending on what direction they go.)