There really isn't anything wrong with the RC Mausers IMHO. Lets face it, it's a positive testament to the manufacturing standards over 75 years ago that their parts were interchangeable to the point that millions of them were mismatched and still functioned reliably to the standards they were built for. As mentioned, it's all part of the particular history of these rifles. As for whether they were field pick ups, surrenders, captures or found in depots and needed to be refinished is all up to our personal imaginations.
That being said, I prefer the East German reworks. They went the extra mile to maintain parts matching and only replaced broken or worn out parts, which are easily discernible by an electropenciled number on the part. Some RC bolts had a large number electropenciled on the body to match receivers. EVERY East German rework I've seen has had their original bolt or maybe a replacement that was STAMPED with the number on the receiver. Same goes for stocks.
Some of the Yugo reworks are very good as well.
IMHO, if you're looking for collectibles then pay the big buck NOW, before prices go through the roof.
If you want a REAL, all matching GERMAN BUILT Mauser 98 variant, take a serious look at the South American Mausers. They have gone up in price exponentially over the past five years. The only thing people have against them is they weren't used by Germany. Guess what, neither were most of the German built K98s produced, before or after WWII. Germany supplied all sorts of nations with K98 Mausers, with German proof marks, some of which may have been military.
IMHO, if you can find a decent K98 and you're looking for a shooter. Purchase the rifle with the best barrel condition you can find. It will almost always be a good shooter as long as the bedding is good as well or the stock isn't cracked or warped.
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