[wareaglealum]

Hello All,

New to the site. I bought a 98K, dated 1939, from Mitchell's back in 2006. I knew that I paid a lot for it, but I have always been one to pay a little more for quality. Additionally, I'm somewhat of a perfectionist and a purist (i.e. I don't like sporterized military rifles, etc.). I knew that the rifle had been re-done, but so has just about every WWII era rifle (garands, carbines, 1903's, etc.). I was new at the time to Mil Surp, so from what I'm seeing, I got had as far as price goes.

But, let me see if I understand correctly, the 98Ks are original German guns, they've just been refinished to the point of losing their historical value. Is that correct? Additionally, none of the markings or serial numbers look as if they were "force matched" or "electro-penciled" . Is this something that Mitchell's comonly does?

Last question...What was the original finish that a German soldier would have had on the stock? Did they use linseed oil like the US? Or were they issued with the "blonde" wood?

Thanks!

[lefty o]

no finish on the stock.

[oktoberfest124]

ok im getting pretty tired of people accusing mitchell's mausers of fraud, being misleading, and blah, blah, blah. you know what i know for a fact that they do not re-stamp parts to match or turn m48's to k98k's. although they are similar that would be near impossible. unless you have PROOF of mitchell's mausers doing this you need to shut up and bite me. i know they disassemble them and clean them because i've seen them before they clean them. they look exactly like a normal russian capture. they also do not make new parts for them by the way, but back to point. then they reassemble them after cleaning and inspecting then they sent them to the US. now as i said if you have proof, fine. if you dont shut up and keep 'em shut.

[lefty o]

they improperly refinish them, and them pass them off as collector grade rifles, that is FRAUD, so take a hike. you want proof, just look at mitchells advertisement in any magazine, K98 bolts never were left in the white!

[gandog56]

If Mitchell's isn't a big rip off, why were they selling the exact same Mosin Nagant accessory kits that I can get free with a 70 buck rifle for $250.00? Not to mention trying to get $1500.00 bucks for a 91/30 Sniper rifle.

[cr107]

Quote:       Originally Posted by gandog56

If Mitchell's isn't a big rip off, why were they selling the exact same Mosin Nagant accessory kits that I can get free with a 70 buck rifle for $250.00? Not to mention trying to get $1500.00 bucks for a 91/30 Sniper rifle.

its just like the whole obama thing and people trying to jack prices and getting away with it. buyer ignorance. they want it because it looks good.

i asked my 'smith about mitchell's before i ordered mine from JG, adn he said hes never met anyone happy with a M.M. and he said, "you can put lipstick on a pig, but in the end, its still a pig"

[lefty o]

its not the whole obamma thing, mitchells has been doin this for years (overpricing things). i dont however have a problem with their prices ( they can charge whatever they want), i just have a problem with their blatant lies.

[sdoyl123]

All I know is I have read enough to stay away from them. i was looking at them for a rifle but I will pass for now.
Thanks for the posting of both sides and let the individual make their minds up.

[bigfandango]

Ditto for me on the Mitchells. I came close to a purchase and then read the great stuff you guys presented. Thanks to all of you for the great lesson.

[SightNSqueeze]

Quote:       Originally Posted by lefty o

its not the whole obamma thing, mitchells has been doin this for years (overpricing things). i dont however have a problem with their prices ( they can charge whatever they want), i just have a problem with their blatant lies.

^^^ +1. I know that Mitchells Mausers sells everything from post-war built M-48's and M-48A's to Russian captured Kar98K that have since been "liberated" minus their "capture screws" which, by the way, have nothing to do with being captured and cleaning rods which I understand were part of an arms agreement to "imply" that they were rendered unserviceable (sneaky Russians). I also know they came in various grades from good to excellent condition when they were purchased by Mitchell's Mausers.

The refinishing and rebluing appears to be an attempt to jack the price. If that's the case, then Mitchell should have said why they did it. Some purchasers would want a World War II Mauser that's all fixed up because they want them to look good even though it would detract from collector value. That's fine as long as the buyer knows what's happening. I also know they sell, or sold, M-48's and M-48A's in decent to like new condition, and barreled and unbarreled actions that would make good sporters. It is my understanding that the issue isn't whether or not any of these rifles are inferior weapons ... they're not, though they are different. The issue is in how they are marketed.

Actually, all of them, Kar98k's, M-48's and M-48A's are excellent military service rifles capable of enduring the rigors of war and performing as designed. The M-48's and 48A's were meant to be "substitute standard issue" weapons to be issued to civilian militias and other citizens to help “standard issue” SKS armed regular troops ward off an anticipated Soviet invasion of Yugoslavia. Therefore, there is indeed historical significance to these rifles, though their history is different from the original K-98k's that are found in the mix.

The problem is in the deceptive advertisement which seems to imply the higher-than-fair price.

[cr107]

Quote:       Originally Posted by SightNSqueeze

^^^ +1. I know that Mitchells Mausers sells everything from post-war built M-48's and M-48A's to Russian captured Kar98K that have since been "liberated" minus their "capture screws" which, by the way, have nothing to do with being captured and cleaning rods which I understand were part of an arms agreement to "imply" that they were rendered unserviceable (sneaky Russians). I also know they came in various grades from good to excellent condition when they were purchased by Mitchell's Mausers. The refinishing and rebluing appears to be an attempt to jack the price. If that's the case, then Mitchell should have said why they did it. Some purchasers would want a World War II Mauser that's all fixed up because they want them to look good even though it would detract from collector value. That's fine as long as the buyer knows what's happening. I also know they sell, or sold, M-48's and M-48A's in decent to like new condition, and barreled and unbarreled actions that would make good sporters. It is my understanding that the issue isn't whether or not any of these rifles are inferior weapons ... they're not, though they are different. The issue is in how they are marketed. Actually, all of them, Kar98k's, M-48's and M-48A's are excellent military service rifles capable of enduring the rigors of war and performing as designed. The M-48's and 48A's were meant to be "substitute standard issue" weapons to be issued to civilian militias and other citizens to help “standard issue” SKS armed regular troops ward off an anticipated Soviet invasion of Yugoslavia. Therefore, there is indeed historical significance to these rifles, though their history is different from the original K-98k's that are found in the mix. The problem is in the deceptive advertisement which seems to imply the higher-than-fair price.

+1

[Espresso]

I'll keep this short and simple. I've talked to six different gun shop owners, including the one my father has shopped at for 10+ years and purchased over 20 guns from. Every single one of them has said that Mitchell's Mausers are a bunch of crooks, and they would never personally do business with them.

'nuff said...

[Big Joey]

Hey guys, I know this thread hasn't been used in a while but I had a quick question. If I wanted to purchase a Mauser, specifically a Model M48, for hunting and shooting purposes, would Mitchell's Mausers be a good place to find a gun in good condition? I'm not looking for historical collector's value, but just a good condition bolt action rifle. I'm not condoning Mitchell's bad advertisements, but just wondering if their guns are in good condition.

[jsmaye]

I wouldn't buy anything from Mitchell's Mausers anyway, mostly because of price, but all this arm-waving and highchair-banging about them being "crooks" engaged in "deception" and "fraud" is way too hyperbolic. If that were true, they'd be in jail awaiting trial, deception and fraud, of course, still being illegal despite Obama's best efforts...

[Mooseguy_87]

Quote:       Originally Posted by gandog56

If Mitchell's isn't a big rip off, why were they selling the exact same Mosin Nagant accessory kits that I can get free with a 70 buck rifle for $250.00? Not to mention trying to get $1500.00 bucks for a 91/30 Sniper rifle.

$1500 for a mosin nagant sniper model? F#$@ me! that's robbery.

[jsmaye]

Nearly everything I own has a price none of you are willing to pay. Does that make it robbery?

[lefty o]

you can charge whatever you want for your junk, it may just be someones treasure.

[troy2000]

Quote:       Originally Posted by jsmaye

Nearly everything I own has a price none of you are willing to pay. Does that make it robbery?

Not unless you start trying to convince people that your high prices are actually market value....

[jsmaye]

Quote:       Originally Posted by troy2000

Not unless you start trying to convince people that your high prices are actually market value....

If I convince someone that a $400 MN sniper is worth $1500 and they buy it, not only is that not illegal, but it's arguable that $1500 just became the market value.

I'm not defending scamming and gouging. I am defending the right for anyone to set any price for their goods and services. If Mitchell's Mausers states categorically that a rifle is what it isn't, that's deception. If their prices are high, caveat emptor. Do the research beforehand.

[troy2000]

Quote:       Originally Posted by jsmaye

If I convince someone that a $400 MN sniper is worth $1500 and they buy it, not only is that not illegal, but it's arguable that $1500 just became the market value. I'm not defending scamming and gouging. I am defending the right for anyone to set any price for their goods and services. If Mitchell's Mausers states categorically that a rifle is what it isn't, that's deception. If their prices are high, caveat emptor. Do the research beforehand.

Despite the common attitude that anyone stupid enough or ignorant enough to pay too much for something deserves to be parted from his money, I don't have to approve of Mitchell's sales tactics. Particularly if they're deliberately misrepresenting guns as collectibles which aren't.

Yes, the definition of a collectible is vague enough that they probably can't be held legally responsible for misleading customers. But I have a moral issue with it. To a point, we all rely on what sellers say about their products...especially if we aren't experts on what's being sold.