Hello all. I have a few questions. First, could anyone tell me the name of a good book that would referance nearly every mauser rifle made during WW1 and/or WW2? Including definitions of all the manufacturing codes,etc.,etc..Also, I am going to be purchasing a Kar98K from Mitchell's Mausers,www.mauser.org in the next couple of weeks, and I was wondering if there would be a certain code and/or year anyone would suggest I try to acquire? for example,( bnz 1943, CZ Brno, etc..) I know this should probably be a personal interest purchase for myself, and I should'nt have to ask peoples' opinions, but I have only a few years experience in WW2 german history under my belt. I am more than likely NEVER going to fire a single round through the gun, it is mainly for display/ historical purposes. Also, this may sound odd to some, but I am still having a slight problem getting myself to purchase this gun because so many of them, if not all of them I believe were manufacured under forced labor. I just don't want to have a guilty conscience parading around my mauser all cheerful and smiling knowing deep down that the poor soul that assembeled my rifle may have been shot in the head for not working fast enough!!! Anyways, sorry about the soap box I got on, any answers to my questions will be greatly appreciated.( and a psychiatrist for my deep down torments)!!!!
-
-
There is no single text I am aware of that covers all necessary details of WWI - WWII G/K98 variations. However, I can recommend several that in sum will hepl you better understand the subject.Originally posted by WannaBeAkraut View Post
I would encourage you to do your research (on-line and text) on the subject before making a purchase. If you do - it is doubtful you will choose a Mitchell's Mauser product as they are in most cases about as far from original as a K98 could be.
As to your concerns over the slave labor issue - if slave labor is a concern I would suggest you collect almost no Third Reich items from the period 1940-1945. Slave labor was prevelant throughout that period in majority of war material produced. Like it or not, that history is an important component of the times.
Scott -
Hi,
Concerning the Third Reich Mausers, I think that the book "Backbone Of The Wehrmacht: The German K98K Rifle - 1934-1945" by Richard Law has anything you need to know about this weapon. You can find it easily on Amazon.
Another choice, but covering all the Mausers produced (including dozens of foreign contracts) is "Mauser Military Rifles of The World" by Robert Ball. Interesting reading that gives you an overall view of the Mauser rifles.
Regarding your issues with dealing with the use of slave workforce, I pretty much concur with Scott. However you can choose a 98k made between 1933-1940 and still be happy with.
But, first, do some homework: it will take some time but will save you money.
Good luck,
DouglasComment
-
I agree with the other responses that have been posted. As to a guilty conscience due to a possible connection to forced labor being used in it's manufacture, I will offer that I have meet and conversed with a number of WWII "slave laborers" while living in Europe. Generally none of them considered it a picnic, but most all of them who worked in arms factories survived the war unless killed by an allied bomb.Originally posted by WannaBeAkraut View Post
You could look at it and say that the skills employed to build the 98k that you are holding probably meant the difference between life and death for many workers....both foreign laborers and German tradesmen who would have been at the Front otherwise!!Last edited by phild; 04-29-2009, 07:59 PM.Comment
-
Thank you
Thanks to all. These are all great responses! This should help me out considerably.Comment
-
Please do NOT buy a Mitchell's Mauser. They have been screwed with soo much by Mitchell's that they are no longer even close to being original!
Read this thread on gun-boards for everything you need to know about K98's. The guys on there are the most knowledgeable people you will ever find about K98's and will answer any questions you have regarding them.
http://forums.gunboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=6
http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?t=943
You are much better off buying a RC (Russian Capture) K98 then one of those pimp shined Mitchell's...Comment
-
Yeah, I would stay away from mitchells. I would say an rc would be the way to go, I have an rc and I love it.
CurtComment
-
mitchell mausers are desent shooters. i have one, only cuz i got it for $100, and shoot it alot. fun but unfortunatly no collectible value at all.
Comment
-
I think you might wanna change your name also 
if that kind of stuff bothers you.
Comment
-
gunbroker.com is decent but I would say your best bet is go to a show and examine them by hand. STAY AWAY FROM MITCHELLS!!! I could be mistaken but I think most are in actuality Yugo 48s, not original German 98s, put together with some german parts and refurbished to look like the Wehrmacht era rifle. As most have stated, "Backbone of the Wehrmacht" is key. Its getting harder to find, but an amazon search will produce results. "Mauser Rifles of the Military World" is good but if you want a whole broad picture of the Mauser world broken down by country but there is only about 10 pages dedicated to WWII Germany.
Cheers!Comment
Comment