Coyote Ugly said:
The one thing that no one mentioned so far is the sanded and stained stocks on the Norwegian K98's, which I am, surprised no one picked up on. Now, it's not one of those things that are as obvious as the fly cut receiver for the word HAER, or the milled out section for the .30-06 bullet, but it's worth mentioning as its part of the Norwegian Rework
process.
Let me quote from another Forum regarding Norwegian Stocks.
For sure it is a Norwegian refurbished stock. Sanded and then coated with a yellow/amber shellac type stain.
He (a seller on eBay) sells tons of these Norwegian rework stocks- many are belt sanded and shellaced, but still exibit crisp bolt cutouts and edges. I'm not sure how they did it, but the ones you normally see are like that- markings are shallow and sanded...
K98Action, there is a difference between "Not Collectable" and "Not as Collectable" as you seem to be twisting your story quite a bit.
You have to remember, any rifle that has it's barrel replaced or replaced in a different calibre, reblued, renumbered, stock sanded, shellaced or varnished, painted, milled or altered, ground parts, missing parts, mismatched parts, certainly is NOT as Collectable as an Original.
That pretty much sums up the RC and Norwegian K98.
Well forgive me Ug.. "Not As Collectable"
But you see that is where you are somewhat twisted. Because Not As Collectable really only applies to the availability of the "More Collectable's"
If there were more "More Collectable's" As per your definition then Yes I agree. But as the stocks of available "Not As Collectable's" Mausers continues to shrink, then they suddenly now become "More Collectable" Mausers
Get it.
And I also see how you conveniently bothered not to mention my concept of what it means to collect and keep in one's Mauser collection examples of RC's, Norwegians, Israeli’s etc for their historical value. That of representing the WWII German Army when and where for the rifle. That should not be overlooked. To ignore these Re-works as you seem to do is to ignore their Significance, which again is how they ended up being RC's or Norwegians in the first place.
Any of the changes that were completed by the Rework process were not bubba changes, but rather state Sanctioned processes. Some better than others. But again this only serves to detail how particular countries professional attitudes were. I would go on to say that for example one can plainly see how the communist system breeds a who cares attitude, as expressed in the mis-matched RC's. On the other hand I can see how the Norwegians under a democratic system, show the care and attention to detail in their Re-works.
These Mauser's tell not only a story of German origin but of the quality of workmanship in other countries as they received further care while in their custody.
If you want to limit your collection to vet bring back only Mauser's that is your choice. However I think this forum is not about criticizing those that choose to have an open mind for collecting Re-work Mausers for their personal reasons.
Also for your information I would not get all bent about the shallow Waffen Amp on the Norwegian wood, because I have a Vet bring back in the family that does not even have a Waffen amp stamp in the wood. So the shallow wa marks on the Norwegian is better than none.
And if you want orignal Wehrmacht issue Mauser's you will need to get something other than the bannhof special.. Although it is a nice rifle, it's military significance or use may not be anymore or less than any of my re-works.
The vet bring back in my family was picked up off a pile of surrendered Mausers by my grandfather. Not sitting out the war in a closet. But notice I am not trying to tell you which one is more collectable. They both are the same.
