Thinking about restoring a 1939 Sauer & Sohn K98

[Stephen Stout]

Hi I am thinking about restoring my 1939 Sauer & Sohn K98. It is a Romanian capture with light importation marks. It is all matching besides the bolt (with 3 matching parts) and the wood. I want to hear your thoughts on it. Also to let you know the use of this rifle is to be a shooter/display piece and I paid only $450 for it.

1. Should I reblue it?
2. Should I have the wood refinished?
3. If so do recommend anyone?
4. Does it hurt the history/value of the rifle even though it is imported marked?
4. Anyone have any restores with pictures?

Here is some pics of the rifle:

[Stephen Stout]

1

[Stephen Stout]

2

[Stephen Stout]

3

[Stephen Stout]

4

[Stephen Stout]

5

[Wilhelm]

For $450 I think it looks pretty nice. If it was mine I would use some Universal Stripper and a brass brush to get the rest of the black stuff off of the metal. Maybe a light coat of boiled linseed oil on the wood. How is the bore? Original slings and rods are available. As are clip on sight hood/bore covers. It is a fun project. Just my 2 Pfennigs.
Wilhelm

[me6_130]

For $450 I think it looks pretty nice. If it was mine I would use some Universal Stripper and a brass brush to get the rest of the black stuff off of the metal. Maybe a light coat of boiled linseed oil on the wood. How is the bore? Original slings and rods are available. As are clip on sight hood/bore covers. It is a fun project. Just my 2 Pfennigs.
Wilhelm

I agree. I wouldn't touch it much.

Carles

[wolfcastle]

I think just about any change to an item can lessen its value. This does not include non-permanant additions like a sling etc.

[Death-Ace]

Even if it is an import, pretty nice to have a Kars that is in near all original configuration!

Lev

[Stephen Stout]

For $450 I think it looks pretty nice. If it was mine I would use some Universal Stripper and a brass brush to get the rest of the black stuff off of the metal. Maybe a light coat of boiled linseed oil on the wood. How is the bore? Original slings and rods are available. As are clip on sight hood/bore covers. It is a fun project. Just my 2 Pfennigs.
Wilhelm

I agree. I wouldn't touch it much.

Carles

The bore of the rifle is dark but it still has strong rifling with slight pitting. I took it to the rank and shot about 2-3moa. So it still shoot-able with acceptable accuracy (it is the original barrel). I did add capture screws, it does not need a front sight hood due to being a 1939 rifle and I do have a cleaning rod but it has too much bluing and I would need to strip it to make it match. Also is the rear back plate supposed to be blue or polished like the discs?

The reasons I am thinking about refinishing it is so that it looks nice and it has bad rust on the stock discs and is getting pitting/rust all around the firearm. I do plan on getting a vet bring back someday.

I think just about any change to an item can lessen its value. This does not include non-permanant additions like a sling etc.

Even on a $450 rifle?

Even if it is an import, pretty nice to have a Kars that is in near all original configuration!

Lev

I thought I was pretty lucky with all matching metals parts besides the bolt.

[Wilhelm]

Sounds like a good shooter. The early ones are not cut for a sight hood. I mean the combination flip up muzzle cover/ sight protector. Some dirt/ mud rubbed on the rod a few times will dull it down to match the metal. Have fun with this project. Let us know how it comes out.
Wilhelm

[Stephen Stout]

Sounds like a good shooter. The early ones are not cut for a sight hood. I mean the combination flip up muzzle cover/ sight protector. Some dirt/ mud rubbed on the rod a few times will dull it down to match the metal. Have fun with this project. Let us know how it comes out.
Wilhelm

I add a coat of boiled linseed oil on the wood, I think it turned out quite well. Let me know what you think Wilhelm.

[Stephen Stout]

close ups

[Wilhelm]

The important thing is that you like it. I think it looks good. The k98, to me, is the classic rifle. Just has such a great look.
Wilhelm