Ladies and Gentlemen:

{I posted this in the military sub-section of AR Forum, too.}

I just purchased a 1943 DOU (Czech) K98k which was complete with matching serial numbers, except for the extractor (it has no serial number). Also, the barreled action was in a Bishop aftermarket stock not in the original military stock.

The bolt handle has been lightened with a hole drilled into the knob. Also, the magazine walls have about 18-21 approximately 1/4" holes drilled into each side. It was blued after it was drilled. The bluing is near perfect without pitting on this barreled action in 8x57.

Was this magazine wall drilling done at the factory to lighten the rifle? Or did someone do it after it was torn down?

I was going to use this action as a donor action, but this configuration may be collectable.







Thank you.

Sincerely,

Chris Bemis

quote:

Originally posted by Yale:

Was this magazine wall drilling done at the factory to lighten the rifle? Or did someone do it after it was torn down?

IMO, that drilling is so poorly made that some retard did it, not the factory; furthermore, the amount of metal removed is so small that the gain in weight is risible. The collector value is certainly diminished due to that butchery.

That was definately not done at the Factory/arsenal but by a previous owner. IMO, there is no collector value and I wouldn't hesitate to use it as "donor".

Thank you both.

My initial impression, was that a meathead had gone at the magazine. Your opinions help support my thinking.

Damn shame.

Sincerely,

Chris Bemis

Some where in my library is a book by Jack O'Connor with a photo of a Mauser that was (among other things) extensively drilled to lighten the action. That rifle was drilled not only through the mag. box but horizontally through the bottom metal as well. Much smaller holes though as I recall.
IMO the weakening effect of this (on the bottom metal) is not worth the slight reduction in weight. The mag. box is minimal as is. Appearently a lot of folks have seen that old book though as I've seen a few "garage sporters" with this treatment. Time permitting I'll try to get the photo scanned.

Found it!


While revisiting this old book I already got a few chuckles from the opinions on somethings by this man who was a highly respected gun writer when I was a boy, in case some you pups out there are saying Who? Should have scanned it to but time is short; caption under a beautiful engraved sidelock DR, "...fine engraving ...beautifully crafted English double ...cost between $750 and $2000." Wish I'd had the money to buy a dozen back then at that price!

Dear Oupa:

Thank you for the informative photograph.

It always amazes me how history repeats itself.

Sincerely,

Chris Bemis

I also was so impressed I did the same thing to my 30-06 sheep hunting rifle. I'll bet all the work I did on that magazine reduced the weight less than one round of ammo but it is amazing how impressionable we can be when some gunwriter we respect writes something. Guess it's a learning process. and how gullible we - and they - can be.

Dear Mr. Shoemaker:

If I don't start getting some exercise, I, too, will have to start drilling out all of my Mauser magazines.

Sincerely,

Chris Bemis