I have an idea for a project and am considering its merits. The same shop where I got my DOT44 has a 1916 DWM that was converted to a 98M in 1935 (S/42G sights), and then sporterized by Bubba. I wanted my next rifle to be a 98M, so this could be an opportunity.
The good:
Mostly matching (bolt (turned down), receiver, barrel, stock, sight ramp, sight leaf, sight slide, butt plate, trigger and capture screws, trigger guard, floor plate, ejector box, and follower. Not matching are the bolt shroud, safety, and firing pin, although the shroud and the pin match each other. Barrel is perfect, and shiny with sharp lands and grooves.
The bad:
The barrel has been cut down to K98k length; but there is no final step down of the barrel diameter. The front sight, arm guard retainer, arm guard, fore stock, both barrel bands, bayonet lug, and cleaning rod are gone.
It seems near impossible to restore this as a 98M unless I replace the barrel. The stock remainder also seems to be rounded and not flat, so I wonder if I can even graft a fore stock to it. Also with no arm guard retainer it will be hard to mount an arm guard and I will have to have a gunsmith reattach one as well as a front sight.
I could make this into a 98M/98k clone as the length is right and the barrel width should work in the front band in a 98k stock, probably a walnut S/42 stock. I would need a stock, front sight, arm guard retainer and both barrel bands; Norwegian or catch all.
He is asking $100 for the rifle. What are your opinions on the project?
MS
The rifle next to the project is my matching 1916 Danzig I brought in to use as a comparasion to see what was left versus what was original.
The good:
Mostly matching (bolt (turned down), receiver, barrel, stock, sight ramp, sight leaf, sight slide, butt plate, trigger and capture screws, trigger guard, floor plate, ejector box, and follower. Not matching are the bolt shroud, safety, and firing pin, although the shroud and the pin match each other. Barrel is perfect, and shiny with sharp lands and grooves.
The bad:
The barrel has been cut down to K98k length; but there is no final step down of the barrel diameter. The front sight, arm guard retainer, arm guard, fore stock, both barrel bands, bayonet lug, and cleaning rod are gone.
It seems near impossible to restore this as a 98M unless I replace the barrel. The stock remainder also seems to be rounded and not flat, so I wonder if I can even graft a fore stock to it. Also with no arm guard retainer it will be hard to mount an arm guard and I will have to have a gunsmith reattach one as well as a front sight.
I could make this into a 98M/98k clone as the length is right and the barrel width should work in the front band in a 98k stock, probably a walnut S/42 stock. I would need a stock, front sight, arm guard retainer and both barrel bands; Norwegian or catch all.
He is asking $100 for the rifle. What are your opinions on the project?
MS
The rifle next to the project is my matching 1916 Danzig I brought in to use as a comparasion to see what was left versus what was original.
