A K98k restoration.

[jbmauser]

I picked up this 42 1940 that had been sportered a little while ago. I neglected to take an overall before shot, but basically the stock had been cut down typical sporterized style. It was all numbers matching including the cut down stock (I saved it). The couple of before pics show the general state it was in when I received it. Very dirty and some light surface rust which cleaned up nicely. The bore is very nice.

I was able to pick up a Norwegian capture stock that has the proper flat buttplate and WaA655 markings. So now it has a mismatched but correct configuration stock. The stock matches itself except for the band spring. WaA655 on all the bands, bayo lug, band spring, recoil lug, and take down discs. In the correct light you can make out the eagle H and two WaA655 waffenamts on the buttstock. I installed the original buttplate from the sportered stock that matches the action.

What do you guys think? Did I do a good job? What could I improve on for the next ones? I'm also curious on opinions on the varnish on the Norwegian stocks. Can it or should it be removed? I have another NC stock for a byf 44 in the works.
Before:

After:

 

[blista77]

looks amazing, great job im just bit jealous haha

 

[fugawi]

Looks great. An almost all matching (save for the stock) non refurb. Congrats!

 

[points]

Oh my God! You took off the PATINA!!.
Just kidding. Looks very nice. It looks the way it was meant to. Rust is rust and there ain't anything pretty about it.

 

[CanadianAR]

Nice work man. Looks great.
Nice that mario could hook you up.

 

[deagle2008]

loox good keep it up

 

[hacer2]

carthouches are still looking good and overall great

trade you my 22lr for it

 

[fraser2]

Looks great..............good job!

 

[ArtyMan]

Really brought some respect back to that rifle. Very nice!

 

[joe n]

You did a fantastic job!! Thanks for showing us!

 

[Nabs]

Very nice, how did you clean up the metal ?

 

[jbmauser]

I spent many hours very carefully cleaning it so as to not damage the original finish. I soaked it in varsol and then gently scrubbed it with super fine #0000 steel wool lubricated with engine oil. I have used this method before and I don't think it damages anything. At least I'm hoping it doesn't. It seems to remove the rust only. I was actually very surprised at how well it cleaned up.

Thanks for all the comments so far everybody.

 

[dgradinaru]

Good job on that restoration, let us know how she shoots.

 

[Remembering]

Looks great!!! I'm doing the same restoration on my bcd 4 so I enjoyed seeing how yours turned out. That stock is nice and dark for a NC but if you decide to refinish we'd love to see pictures and details. Nice to see another one saved from bubba. You did a great job on the metal but was the bore as rusty?

 

[Garand]

Very nice work

 

[AdrianM]

I think you did a heck of a job. Looks great!

I tried steel wool and oil and it didn't work so good for me; it took off all the finish. I was instructed by a fellow CGN'er to use the steel wool dry without oil and it worked better, leaving the original finish in better shape. The reason given was that the oil and rust mixed together and made a kind of rubbing compound that was too aggressive.

But yours turned out great. Did you continually wipe it to keep it clean or something? Whatever you did, keep doing it.

 

[CanadianAR]

I think you did a heck of a job. Looks great!

I tried steel wool and oil and it didn't work so good for me; it took off all the finish. I was instructed by a fellow CGN'er to use the steel wool dry without oil and it worked better, leaving the original finish in better shape. The reason given was that the oil and rust mixed together and made a kind of rubbing compound that was too aggressive.

But yours turned out great. Did you continually wipe it to keep it clean or something? Whatever you did, keep doing it.

Use bronze or brass wool.

 

[jbmauser]

Looks great!!! I'm doing the same restoration on my bcd 4 so I enjoyed seeing how yours turned out. That stock is nice and dark for a NC but if you decide to refinish we'd love to see pictures and details. Nice to see another one saved from bubba. You did a great job on the metal but was the bore as rusty?

The bore is perfect. Bright and shiny.

As for the rust removal, I've never had any of the original finish removed with the method I use. At least as far as I can tell. I do have some bronze wool on order and will try that on the next one.

 

[98%Brent]

I always loved the K98 Mauser and hope to add one to my collection eventually. You did a real nice job of restoration.

Nothing like the reward of hard work and fast women!