Question 98K - BCD 4

E

Emile

Member
Hi guys,
I have been proposed a 98K, "BCD - 4" but I have noticed something weird :
The end of the rear sight section that fits into the handguard appears to be broken or sawed off. the handguard is therefore loose.

Is it normal with this manufacturer? If not, what could have happened?
Thanks!
 

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Absolutely not normal and not wartime. At some point the rifle must have been converted to be a shooter/hunting rifle/sporter. Grinding off the handguard retaining lip among other things was fairly common practice. Many times the barrel steps are ground down so make sure to check that.

On this bcd4, if this is the only issue…. It may be worth “restoring”. You would need a late rear sight base. Then it’s a torch and solder to “fix it”…

Do you have more pics of rifle you’re willing to share?
 
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Hi Mauserguy85,
Thanks for your reply, it is so far I saw the only issue but I will not take it then.
Sorry I don't have any pics
Have a great day!
 
Emile said:
Hi guys,
I have been proposed a 98K, "BCD - 4" but I have noticed something weird :
The end of the rear sight section that fits into the handguard appears to be broken or sawed off. the handguard is therefore loose.

Is it normal with this manufacturer? If not, what could have happened?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
gun was sporterized and that lip ground off. the first 98 i ever bought had this done to it. I was able to replace it. I dont have any spare rear site tubes any longer though.
 
Emile said:
Hi Mauserguy85,
Thanks for your reply, it is so far I saw the only issue but I will not take it then.
Sorry I don't have any pics
Have a great day!
Click to expand...
This is the right approach. This is fixable if you have the right parts, tools, and know-how but it's not a trivial project. If you don't already know how to do it (edit: as in you're comfortable with these kinds of gunsmithing operations even if you've never specifically replaced the rear sight base on a 98k) you're better off just finding one that doesn't need the work.
 
Cyrano4747 said:
This is the right approach. This is fixable if you have the right parts, tools, and know-how but it's not a trivial project. If you don't already know how to do it (edit: as in you're comfortable with these kinds of gunsmithing operations even if you've never specifically replaced the rear sight base on a 98k) you're better off just finding one that doesn't need the work.
Click to expand...
In general yes it is the right approach. However if the price is substantially cheaper than a unmolested example than it’s definitely worth it under certain conditions…

For example, let’s say this rifle was once “sported” by only hacking off the handguard retaining lip but the original unmolested stock, handguard bands and band spring were stored away safe and are now included (probably unlikely). Then for $60-$80 bucks you can probably find a “i” marked rear sight base fairly easily. I have two of those in my spare parts for a rainy day. Any decent gunsmith can do the swap for a relatively small fee. $150 tops on the high end. It’s literally like a 5-10 minute job for a good gunsmith if your uncomfortable to do it yourself. The trick is to not “burn” the bluing…

It all depends on how “matching” it is and the price tag in my book. The reason I requested to see more is that bcd 4 marked receivers came in a variety of highly desirable variations as most of us know. From thick sidewall to JP Sauer assembled, etc….

Edit: However, looking at the one picture… the stock was definitely hit hard with sanding so there goes that scenario out the window.
 
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Sure, there are all sorts of edge cases, especially for the advanced collector who knows what kind of rear sight base it needs etc.

But for someone new enough to not know for sure that there should be a lip there, and is asking because it obviously doesn't look right? That's way too much project to bite off at that stage in collecting. (generally - again edge cases abound. We could construct a scenario where the guy's an experienced gunsmith who just doesn't know Mausers and can handle the repairs no problem. But that's not the average person coming in to ask us to look at a photo.)
 
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Mauserguy85 said:
In general yes it is the right approach. However if the price is substantially cheaper than a unmolested example than it’s definitely worth it under certain conditions…

For example, let’s say this rifle was once “sported” by only hacking off the handguard retaining lip but the original unmolested stock, handguard bands and band spring were stored away safe and are now included (probably unlikely). Then for $60-$80 bucks you can probably find a “i” marked rear sight base fairly easily. I have two of those in my spare parts for a rainy day. Any decent gunsmith can do the swap for a relatively small fee. $150 tops on the high end. It’s literally like a 5-10 minute job for a good gunsmith if your uncomfortable to do it yourself. The trick is to not “burn” the bluing…

It all depends on how “matching” it is and the price tag in my book. The reason I requested to see more is that bcd 4 marked receivers came in a variety of highly desirable variations as most of us know. From thick sidewall to JP Sauer assembled, etc….

Edit: However, looking at the one picture… the stock was definitely hit hard with sanding so there goes that scenario out the window.
Click to expand...
Selling price was 750USD, and not matching numbers, quite expensive then
 
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