[AK_CZ]

I’ve been wanting to get an Israeli .308 mauser for a while. I was thinking of getting one from century. I’ve heard some of these are pretty ruff though. I already have a good stock for one of these so that part won’t be an issue for me.

They are listing German and Austrian ones as being in “good” condition. I was thinking of getting an Austrian, good with cracked stock.

Which do you think I’d have a better chance of getting have way decent metal/ bore out of - the German or the Austrian? Or does it matter?

I’d really like to get a Belgium cause it should have the IDF crest, but being they are listing them as only “fair” makes me think twice.

 

[nothernug]

I can't say anything about this particular batch but these can indeed be "ruff."
I picked up one that looked pretty rough outside but had a good bore on it. I knew I was taking a gamble. Got the handguard off and there was severe pitting along the stock line and under the bands. I could not break the front action screw loose. I never did get it off. Considering the pitting, I gave up on it and sold it at a gun show as a parts gun. Lost about $40 on the deal. The tale I've heard is that many of these have come from Central America and thus the bad shape.

Again, let me state I have no knowledge of this batch you're asking about. I'm just defining what "ruff" can be. The flip side is that I have seen some very nice examples shown too.

 

[Hrvatski]

Israeli K98

I don't have any personal experience with the current importation other than the rifles I have seen for auction on AA or GB. Some look good, some look bad. A few years ago I rolled the dice on a SOG $92 special Century Israeli import. I guess these guns had seen service in the Guatemalan Navy. The one I got at first sight was a disaster! The stock was cracked and it had severe pitting and rust below the woodline. It even had a few dead bugs of unknown origin beneath the follower in the magazine well. The only thing that kept me from using it as a tomato stake was that it has a very nice, bright bore with pretty good lands and grooves. It took me for ever to clean it up and get the rust stopped. It was a was a JP Sauer 147 1940 in the "b" block and had an acceptance stamp on the side rail which turned out to be Swedish. It was at one time part of Sweden's M40 program. The gun has been one of my most interesting restorations and a great shooter to boot. The trick is finding one at a reasonable price in reasonable condition. Good luck.

Ski

 

[DudleyDR]

Unless there is something unique or special about it, the description of "good" is not enough to "sell" me on a firearm. Too many sellers "cheat" that term. I think the very best ones are those imported from armscorp. They did not take the South American detour, but came here from Israel. Most are in excellent to like-new, never-issued condition. They can be found on the secondary market usually in the $200. to $400. range. HTH DDR

 

[AK_CZ]

I wonder if century takes the handguards off when grading them. Just wondering what their definition of "good" vs "fair" really means.

I'm not expecting anything nice. I figured on replacing the wood if needed. I plan on a light metal refinishing - light sanding and cold blue to make it decent looking if need be. I'm just worried about the bore/chamber and heavy metal pitting, such as you mentioned.

I'm not real keen on Century from what I've read. Having said that, would they list these as "good" even with heavy deep pitting?

 

[AZshooter]

EVERY Israeli Mauser I've seen in the past 3 or so years is a complete wreck. These rifles were used to the wear-out point, then reissued and returned to extreme service. The best looked like it was used for bridge planks. Barrels were shot out, then further used. Some had ringed barrels. These were truly used by a frugal and desperate nation with limited resources

If you're simply jonesin' to be able to tell your buds you own an Israeli Mauser, go for it. If you have aspirations to actually go shoot it, you may want to revise your plans.

Century not only does not remove handguards, or actions from stocks, but doesn't remove, then replace the varnished slug of cosmoline bonded to rifle barrels in the pursuit of grading.

If they ever even hint to you that they do, you need to go Google for PT Barnum's best known sayings referencing retail buyers.

 

[Dan44]

Not the one I found.

 

[DudleyDR]

Armscorp's. Mine and a friends (last 4 pics). Bores are "as new". No need to buy anything with rust or pits. DDR

 

[Radom1935]

I’ve been wanting to get an Israeli .308 mauser for a while. I was thinking of getting one from century. I’ve heard some of these are pretty ruff though. I already have a good stock for one of these so that part won’t be an issue for me.

They are listing German and Austrian ones as being in “good” condition. I was thinking of getting an Austrian, good with cracked stock.

Which do you think I’d have a better chance of getting have way decent metal/ bore out of - the German or the Austrian? Or does it matter?

I’d really like to get a Belgium cause it should have the IDF crest, but being they are listing them as only “fair” makes me think twice.

Century has a Polish Radom conversion to 7.62 mm on their Auction Site now. Has the s/42(mauser) and waffenants on the rear sight base.

 

[Uncle Jaque]

Armscorp?

I just searched up "Armscorp" and they don't sell any guns as far as I can tell - only parts & accessories.

Sure would not mind having one of those fresh minty Israelis!

All of the Century imports I've seen have been ridden hard & put away wet for many a decade - and they are pretty proud of 'em too, by the prices they want for 'em.

I finally gave up and put a .308 barrel on a Yugo 24/47 in order to "Israelize" it - shoots quite well too - but I guess we can't talk about it here, can we?

Would like to duplicate the "7.62" stamp on the receiver ring if I could.

 

[cheapdad1]

armscorp imported their batch +/- 12 years ago. WAY better than the SOG imports...keep looking, they might run you $300-400, but it's miney very well spent!
Cheapdad

 

[Sarge]

I have 2 Isrealis to sell.

1. FN Mauser
This is an all original FN contrakt 98k made for Israel - with the Israeli crest on the top of the receiver - in the early 50s. It has been rebarreled to 7.62 NATO and is stamped 7.62 on the top of the receiver and toe of the stock. Bolt is FN but doesn’t match. Except for the bbl change it is an all original FN. Condition is about Vg. $290 shipped.

2. K98k byf 1941
This is a byf 41 Israeli rebarreled to 7.62 NATO and is stamped 7.62 on the top of the receiver and toe of the stock. All original Israeli including sight hood. Complete mismatch except matching Isreali numbered bolt. Overall Exc. $390 shipped.

If you're interested email me and I'll send you some photos.
Sarge

 

[The Blutocracy]

Did Colombia convert any of their .30-06 FN-made Mausers to 7.62mm NATO at any point, or did they re-mark any Israeli Mausers they acquired with the Colombian military markings? The reason I ask is I have a K98 style rifle with an Israeli stock, Israeli looking barrel, and a Colombian marked FN receiver with the .30 cal. stamp. The bore is like new, but headspace is very tight.

I've gotten the feeling it's a "gunsmith special" but I'm not sure. Any ideas?