Here's pics of my Model 98. It is serial No. 8848, manufactured at Oberndorf Germany in 1943. All serial numbers match, on every component.

It looks like the rifle was professionally refinished. I believe the barrel was turned on a lathe to recontour it, but the experts should be able to tell at a glance. It has 4 distinct steps; a Lyman front sight, plus Lyman peep sight.

I didn't weigh it, but I'd guess it's about 7-3/4 lbs, as is. I don't know what the stock is, but it's got a nice heft to it; a great Pachmyr Decelerator recoil pad.

It should be perfect for hunting in the timber, or spot and stalk black bear.

Nice rifle!! But, IMO, it really needs to have a nice wood stock on it, preferably a nice classic Mauser sporter style...take a look at gunstocks.com. You can always use the "plastic" stock for hunting. Again, very nice rifle and you don't see that many today with all matching numbers. You found something special.

Thanks congomike!

I paid $325 for the rifle. I think it was a bargain.

I also think a nice wood stock would really improve the look, but the stock that's on it (I think it's Bell & Carlson) is the perfect hunting stock.

I'll take a look at the site you suggested.

Very nice rifle and for $325 you got a heck of a deal. The stock and sights would cost that much! Shot it yet? I shoot a similar 8mm mil. Mauser sporter and have found the Hornady 175g RN to be super accurate. It's a two diameter bullet and shoots really well in the military Mausers.

No I have not had a chance to get to the range yet.

I have a large place in my heart for "working rifles"- especially military ones. looks like a nice shooter, perfect for the truck. the price was right, I'd have grabbed it myself.

have a ball with it.

Took it to the range today and dang near blew it up!!

I was shooting some 200gr Speer handloads that I built about a year ago. I guess I musta been rippin' 'em through the press that day, cuz all of a sudden I had a "fart". A cartridge with no powder...

I couldn't figure out why the next round wouldn't chamber... and the next...

Buddy that was with me realized what musta happened so we pulled the bolt out and looked up the chamber and sure enough, there was the ass-end of a Speer looking back at us...

I don't know how many 1,000's of rounds I've loaded and that's the first (only time) that's ever happened to me. Shee-it!!

Got some looks when I showed up at the local hardware store to buy a piece of dowel to knock out the stuck bullet... had to take the gun right into the store to make sure I got the right fit.


Well now that BS is outta the way, the gun shoots nice! Accurate enough as is, but I need to adjust the peep sight a bit. It shoots a bit high. I got a good one. This rifle is definitely worth more then what I paid.

You took the gun into the store? Ha ha ha

We never did shoot my accubonds in it..next time.

Had the same problem once, when I was young and foolish, also in an 8x57. I just pulled the bullet off another cartridge, dumped about half the powder out, chambered it. Problem solved. That solution came from my old copy of Theory and Practice of Reloading Ammunition.
Grizz