Popping our German cherry with a righteous old Mauser: The K98b

[Blicero]

Damn nice k98 Kevin.  The story was excellent also, and a shame he passed before you got to talk to him.

I don't know very much about the k98's, so school is in session for me, and I'm taking notes.

Thanks Bern. Call me when you're ready to take the plunge. I have a couple cheapo Russian Capture K98s you can have. They're a great place to start studying the German stuff.

[Phosphorus32]

I don't know how I missed this post, but a really interesting thread and a great looking rifle.

I love the troop tags and other such personal touches in rifles. It really makes the historical connection and context of the rifle more real. Any luck pulling on that L. Frank thread?

[Lmbass14]

Kev, the date looks like 1946 to me, just barely make the loop of the 6 out.

Have your tried ancestry.com on trying to find Frank?

Have you taken it out yet?

[Blicero]

I spent about 15 minutes looking for L Frank in NY. All I found was hits on NY-native LF Baum, author of The Wizard of Oz. Hey, it must be his rifle...except he died in 1919...it's his posthumous war trophy! A bringback war booty from beyond the grave! Killer! Now if only I had a heart...or courage...

I don't like blasting away with rare rifles too frequently but this rifle is a natural born shooter. The long barrel really tames the 8mm and the bolt is masterfully crafted & finely machined so it runs fluidly, an absolute joy to shoot. This is one of the best deals I've made in a while.