About 5 years ago, I shot a firearm for the first time. It was a friend's German Kar98K. The trip to the range included a stop at a gun store, where I drooled over a beautiful No4 MkI. The experience kindled my interest in milsurp rifles.
Years later, after acquiring my PAL and then a small collection top-notch Long Branch No4's and a few "rare" milsurp pistols, I was reacquainted with the old mauser in a very strange way.
I was contacted by my friend from years before. He had gotten himself into some trouble, and had his firearms confiscated by the Vancouver Police. The collection was to be destroyed if he hadnt had them transfered to someone else. Legal troubles left him with no money, so I agreed to take posession and sell them for him. As a token of gratitude for the time and travel costs, I was able to keep the mauser.
I picked up everything at VPD without any hassle. Everything needed extensive cleaning, including the mauser. Another problem with it was a broken floorplate. It is stamped, and happens to be the only part that matches the receiver (RC rifle, I think). It was bent and both tabs were broken off. In an effort to make use of the only matching part, I straightened it and had a welder friend of mine TIG weld the broken bits back together (tiny tacks on a low setting).
So, now I have a great shooter-grade mauser that I rescued from destruction and (partially) restored.
Pics soon!
Edit: Pictures! They are from the cell phone camera. I'll have to get some better ones soon.
This is the repaired floorplate. The "tab" inside was broken off, and the aft portion of the plate was bent down, as if someone tried to pry it off. You can see some discoloration from the welds. I only did a small touch-up using cold blue.
Years later, after acquiring my PAL and then a small collection top-notch Long Branch No4's and a few "rare" milsurp pistols, I was reacquainted with the old mauser in a very strange way.
I was contacted by my friend from years before. He had gotten himself into some trouble, and had his firearms confiscated by the Vancouver Police. The collection was to be destroyed if he hadnt had them transfered to someone else. Legal troubles left him with no money, so I agreed to take posession and sell them for him. As a token of gratitude for the time and travel costs, I was able to keep the mauser.
I picked up everything at VPD without any hassle. Everything needed extensive cleaning, including the mauser. Another problem with it was a broken floorplate. It is stamped, and happens to be the only part that matches the receiver (RC rifle, I think). It was bent and both tabs were broken off. In an effort to make use of the only matching part, I straightened it and had a welder friend of mine TIG weld the broken bits back together (tiny tacks on a low setting).
So, now I have a great shooter-grade mauser that I rescued from destruction and (partially) restored.
Pics soon!
Edit: Pictures! They are from the cell phone camera. I'll have to get some better ones soon.
This is the repaired floorplate. The "tab" inside was broken off, and the aft portion of the plate was bent down, as if someone tried to pry it off. You can see some discoloration from the welds. I only did a small touch-up using cold blue.
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