[Tumtatty]

Hi Guys,
A few years ago I bought an RC K98 from Classic Arms. I recently picked up a copy of Backbone of the Wermacht which states that BYF 41's all had 4 digit serial #'s whereas mine has 3. I did strip the RC shellac and found a nice laminated stock underneath which was also numbered 360. The bolt has been elector-penciled 360 as well as the barrel bands and floor plate.

The barrel is Dated '40 with a Do 676

I always assumed this rifle was as legit as an RC could be but now I'm wondering. Also, are the other stamps (the star, the 'x" and the "P") on the top of the receiver all from the Russians?

Any input would be appreciated.

 

[Bigdibbs88]

no worries....serial number is legit...german serial numbering went as follows:

1-9999, 1a-9999a,1b-9999b, 1c...1d...1e....etc etc


the x is russian, no idea about the p. a star usually indicates french use but it also randomly shows up on matching wartime 98s.

 

[Brad70]

Don't worry. It is as RC as an RC can be.

 

[Richard in NY*]

Don't worry. It is as RC as an RC can be.

That's no longer accurate once the Russian shellac finish was striped from the stock and the wood was refinished. It now resides in the limbo-land between an 'original" military piece and something that has been sporterized by its civilian owner.

 

[carldoc]

"Sporterized"? lol

 

[Dirtcowboy]

I have that same star stamped in the same spot on my RC duv 41.

 

[Brad70]

That's no longer accurate once the Russian shellac finish was striped from the stock and the wood was refinished. It now resides in the limbo-land between an 'original" military piece and something that has been sporterized by its civilian owner.

Lol. Whatever. It is an RC and will always be an RC. To say that it is even in close to the category of sporterizing is IMO wrong. To me that would involve cutting wood down, drill and tapping, jeweling the bolt etc. Refinished yes, sporterized no.

 

[Richard in NY*]

Lol. Whatever. It is an RC and will always be an RC. To say that it is even in close to the category of sporterizing is IMO wrong. To me that would involve cutting wood down, drill and tapping, jeweling the bolt etc. Refinished yes, sporterized no.

Brad:

I didn't say that the rifle in question was sporterized, I said that having been stripped of its "Russian capture" wood finish, it could no longer be considered a good example of a Russian captured Mauser. I don't see how my statement could be contested or construed as controversial. The rifle's status, once altered falls into the cloudy, less easily defined category between untouched and sporterized. Note I said between. Between unaltered on one extreme and altered a great deal on the other.

Far from being confrontational, I was actually being generous and observant that many here would not find fault with the rifle for having its stock refinished. Indeed, many, too many in my opinion, recommend just such a stripping and refinish project as a standard practice. Personally, I would place the desirability of the rifle with refinished wood closer to the "sporterized" continuum, than I would the "collectible" denouement. But I realize that I am in the minority with such a strict interpretation.

 

[Brad70]

I didn't take your statement as being controversial. I just don't agree with your assessment and you do not agree with mine. Also I didn't think you were being confrontational. I do think that your initial response turned the discussion from a factual basis of "Is this an RC?" to a matter of opinion. Which in the end wasn't really necessary. And I totally agree with the below quoted line. Not that there's anything wrong with it. I just don't happen to be as "hardcore" as you when it comes to collecting.

I realize that I am in the minority with such a strict interpretation.

 

[Turbo Archie]

I think the correct term would be "Restored" in lieu of Sporterized..


..

 

[Tumtatty]

Thanks guys. Not trying to get into another debate about value of saving the Russian shellac.
Just wondering about serial numbers.
I appreciate the help.

 

[armenjs]

RC again!!You probably add couple of dollars to the value getting rid of the shellac and that God awful finish. look at it this way you feel good when you look and touch, then go for it.

 

[boltactionsforever]

Thanks guys. Not trying to get into another debate about value of saving the Russian shellac.
Just wondering about serial numbers.
I appreciate the help.

Maybe if BBOTW used the wording 4 digit format that would be proper instead of 4 digits.


All manufacture started the serial numbers with 1 then 2--3---4 up to 9,999 (ie; 4 digit per BBOTW)....then they got to 9,999 MOST manufactures went to number 1 again with letter code "a" (ie; serial number 1a--block code a)--and the whole number process starts over again 1a-9,999a then 1b--9,999b then 1c-9,999c etc/etc..Within the K98 world we call these serial numbered guns that use letter codes, as "letter block".

None of the manufactures started there serial numbers with zero's (ie; 0001--4 digit serial number).

And this is why BBOTW say's it's a 4 digit serial number--I guess to be 100% word correct, they should have said "a 4 digit format"--I guess that would be the "correct" wording instead of being a 4 digit serial number.

Some manufactures used a 5 digit serial number (ie; went from 1-99,999(5 digits) and so on right on up sometimes without ever reaching a "letter code") .....Other times they went to 99,999 to 1a like above. Then there are others who used a double letter code (aa/bb/cc blocks).

Hope this helps...

BAF

 

[PK 637]

+1 to BAF's post. Another clearer way BBOTW could have put it would have been "a serial number of up to four digits."