Re Barrelling – K98

Just to show it can be done !  One re-barreled K98

When this little beauty came in the guts had been torn out of it.  The problem posed its self as; a good looking K with an interesting low number on the breech “130 b” and pleasing walnut stock, but the bore was too far gone to consider re-sale.  What to do ??  Scrap or cannibalize ?  The other dreaded word ‘de-activate ‘??  No. Can’t do that….it isn’t right.  The rifle is a 1940 dated example, manufacturer marked “42” for Mauser-Werke, Oberndorf on the Neckar.  A young man, however misguided, stood and fought for what he believed in with this rifle in his hands, where the like of I, and many of us, would probably have messed our selves and ran for it.  Yes, Germany lost the war and many evils were committed, but on an even playing field when it comes down to it, man to man, this is all that stood between him and his maker.  Also, on the other side, a similar young man had been dragged from his family and had one of these things thrust in his hands, be it an Enfield or a Springfield, MAS or  Swedish Mauser, the situation is the same. Now, should I chop it up and make a few quid?  I think not !

So investigations started as where to find a barrel, and what do you know, I was able to source a brand new Walther-Lothar barrel … and here it is.  All these pictures are of the new barrel in position having been professionally fitted and head-spaced, with its new London proof marks and blued finish.

More and more of these rifles are now falling into this category, where we know that the chop merchants would love to get their grubby paws on them and make a quick buck. The arduous task of re-barreling these old rifles is a hard argument to maintain as the market supports the gradual destruction of the remaining stock in this country.  Hence the reason I source most of the K ‘s I find from America.  In fact, this exact situation mirrors the whole argument for that exercise, in that most of the UK stock of classic rifles is fast becoming obsolete.  I specifically refer to their usability.  Head spaces get stretched, lugs get worn and barrels become more and more worn with every round that passes through them.

I would remind all keen collectors and shooters alike that we (this current generation of shooters) are to all intents and purposes, merely the “Keepers” of these artifacts.  It is a great pleasure, and really an honor, to be able to maintain these weapons as they were originally meant to be.  Imagine trying to explain to a young, keen soldier of any nation involved in its own struggle for survival, that the rifle they went to war with was to be chopped up and a piece of steel rod welded into what remains of the barrel because the effete government of the day considers collectors and shooters alike to be a danger to themselves, the public and that governments very existence – he would wonder what he was fighting for if that’s what the future held !

Yes, the argument for originality is a very strong one, but I think as the numbers begin to dwindle the time has come to try to save the remaining stock.  Many folk are probably not aware that most museums that hold examples of these things have to have them de-activated as the hoops they would have to jump through to keep live weapons is not worth thinking about.  No, numbers are dwindling.  We as shooters are using up the remaining stock.  You could almost argue that Time is Running Out for the Classic Military Rifle.

I leave your tired bolt action rifle in your capable hands.

LATEST NEWS as of November 2018

The original markings on the old barrel can now be saved and “lifted” onto the new Walther barrel.

This is a service I am now able to offer, whilst re-barreling your K98.

New Barrel with original markings (pre-re-bluing)

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