Russia sure didn't have collectors in mind back then. It's still a Mauser 98!

I Love My Russian Capture, Kar98K. It's like a sleeper, with it's red shiny stock, it's black parkerizing, it's electro-penciled bolt... underneath all of that it has a shiny bore, and headspaces correctly, and locks up tight. It shoots great! I've shot it out to 800 yards, using the sight adjustment and it was right on target when using 198gr full power ammo, (PRVI). Also, mine came with a Kar98 AZ bolt rather than a regular old Kar98K bolt. Mine is 1940, marked 243. It was thought to be crap because nobody knew why someone would electro-pencil the bolt, and treat a Mauser so ridiculously, putting black stuff all over it... Not very many people know about Russian Captures. By the way my original German serial number is, "4640" if any of your guys have that bolt, I'll trade you my bolt body for your bolt body. Same thing with Trigger Guard and other parts. If you have Russian capture with original German (receiver and barrel) serial number 7827 I have your trigger guard, and 2667, I have your safety selector... We should all list the various serial numbers and put all of our original rifle back together again.

I found one at cabelas yesterday for 500$ . Couldn't say no.

I bought one today. 1937 S/27 (Erfurt) It's in nice condition, has 2 Xs on the receiver, but no electro-pencil that I can see.

Thanks for this video. I just picked one up for $600. I assumed it was a RC , but your video confirms it. Mine is 1938 S/243. Works great.

A lot of collectors like to bash people for buying Russian captured k98s, but they are really nice rifles. Some people are under the misconception that these are 100% mixed up part rifles, but they are not. The barrel, receiver, and sight bases are all matching. Even though the other parts are not matching, they are still authentic german manufactured parts from WW2. When these first arrived on the surplus market, they had very little collector value. Now that the surplus has dried up, collectors are now starting to recognize the true value behind them. The history behind them is really cool too. They were used on some of the most brutal battlefields of the eastern front.

I have an SWP45 RC K98. Came with the cleaning rod too. I bought an original K98 period German used sling for it. Cleaned off the Russian shellac. Added back original capture screws under trigger guard. Bought an original period K98 sight hood, I have yet to place on the sight. Has the purple toned extractor on the bolt. I am the first owner of this rifle after the gun dealer who purchased a bunch directly from importer in late 1990's. p.s. Paid only $179.99 for it back then.

Thanks for this and your other informative videos. I just picked up a 98 just like the one in the vid (same marking & date). The prior owner drilled and tapped with a Leupold base and rings w/o a stock (broken). I think the Leupold and gunsmithing costs more than the Mauser. Hah! It will make a good target/hunting piece.

I've got a Yugo capture K98k still got quite a few waffenamts and a deaths head on the back of the bolt handle

Excellent info you expounded!!

I have both a Russian capture k98 and a Yugo refurbished k98 (not the m48) the Russian is a 1937 Sauer & Sohn and the Yugo once I got the wood off was able to decide it was a 1943 Mauser manufactured ,the Russian is quite worn with maybe 30% blue and okay bore with all matching numbers (even the bolt) and the Yugo is in perfect shape with a miss matched bolt but everything else matches…I think I payed around $179 each back in the late 90’s early 2000’s ….those days are far gone but I feel fortunate to have been able purchase them when I did …great video got me thinking about the fun days of old …

i have 98k with all matching numbers and the year stamped is 1939. i have the original sling, bayonet and cleaning rod. Fun to shoot.

Great Video, I have always been fascinated by the Russian Capture K98. Lots of additional history with them. Great Video

I enjoyed your post. My K98K is almost identical to this one with 2 exceptions. On mine the buttplate and bolt disassembly ring are in the white. The stock has been coated in shellac. The receiver and barrel have no swastikas and the receiver has been stamped with a Yugoslavia symbol. It's a very accurate rifle.

One thing I tell people, I WOULD ALWAYS prefer a Russian Capture to any other variants because 1.) it is automatic proof it saw SOMETHING whether it was combat or it simply touched both a German and a Soviet Soldier 2.) It is automatic proof it is original from WW2 3.) It belonged to 2 empires that no longer exist today (Nazi Germany and USSR), which I believe in a future may be worth more than other K98S. 4.) It is automatic proof it served in a specific theater, Eastern Front. Lastly, 5.) The barrel and receiver are the same, untouched, meaning the original barrel and receiver from which the German soldier loaded and fired the round is still in the RC K98.

I have one of these, rechambered post war to accomodate the US 30.06 round, with slight modification done to the receiver ring to fit the longer round, thicker front post, U-notch instead of V-notch rear sight and a set of new serial number and service branch insignia. (Norwegian post war issue) It's a great gun. A lot more accurate than I'll ever be, strong action, reliable feeding, and just feels great to handle. Got it for like 80 bucks, and after a tiny bit of love and cleaning, it's as new. Never getting another bolt-action, as this will serve my hunting-purposes just fine.

I've had a Yugo capture K98k since about 2000. It's in excellent condition. Purchased it for about $150 from an individual at a gun show.

Nice video! I added a Russian capture to my safe not long ago. The rifle was in a synthetic Boyd sporter stock. I found a complete Russian capture stock with all furniture except cleaning rod on eBay, and put the barreled action in the wooden stock. The mismatched number on the stock is the only real give-away that the rifle isn't as left by a Russian armorer. It's a shame that they couldn't spare the time to keep matching parts together, but I suspect that the interests of future American collectors weren't their foremost concern at the time, lol! Mine has the swastikas peened out.

Great information. Thank you. So if the serial number is stamped long ways on the stock as shown on yours it is definitely a Russian capture? Do you know what a large 6 pointed symbol kind of like a star or extended asterisk on the receiver means?

I have one that has the original finish, most of the bluing, all the symbols are punched out but the byf in the 4, and most of the numbers are matching but the Box plate. do you have any thoughts about it

Great video and solid information. Could you explain, in a little more detail, the note about your stock being red? Mine stock is the same way, but its an all original bcd4. Thanks!

Hey Milsurp World! Great video. May I suggest you do a video on how to tell if your WW2 German Mauser is NOT a Russian capture (RC). As best you can. I bought a beauty BCD 1942 on Gun Broker for $1,100 in spring 2018. It's all matching. But I did find a "Germany" in very fine print on the receiver near the stock. Having Grandparents born in Germany I know that Germans do not call "Germany" Germany. Lol. I love the rifle anyway! But I would imagine that most collectors actually end up buying a RC while thinking they're buying an authentic all matching K98 German WW2 Mauser/US Vet bring back. Your insight would be interesting to both new and experienced collectors. Love your stuff. Thanks. New York, USA 2019

I just purchased a k98 that the stock has been "sporterized". The 3 numbers on the bolt assembly match. There's no electric pencil etchings anywhere on the gun. The gun is a 1939 with a 42 stamp. The only crazy marks ive found are under the rear flip up sight. Looks like a couple numbers were crossed out. I think it was a Russian capture, but for whatever reason they didn't dissemble it. But I'm replacing the butchered stock and want to make sure the later stocks fit on my 1939 barrel/bolt trigger guard assembly? I only paid 400 bucks for the gun, so I'm buying all orginal era parts. Sub'ed to your channel. I enjoy your vids, keep them coming.

Nice video man. I've got a k98 that, from my research, appears to be a non Russian capture rifle. It has 3 non matching parts (front barrel band, magazine plate, and the part above the trigger guard) , intact nazi marks, and no shellac or other finish on the wood and stock parts. There are no "X" marks on the gun, and no electro penciling. Really the only thing that might make it a Russian capture are those 3 missing parts. Aside from that, everything else looks to be original German. I'm no expert, but really like the gun. What do you think?

Found a "bnz 41" RC in my local pawn shop yesterday for $400 and immediately put my card on the counter! It's like yours in that the stock has no shellac of any kind on it, though it retains its original blueing (no black finish with the exception of the butt plate), matching rear and front sights, still has the cleaning rod and retaining screws, the stock is not force matched, the takedown disc is still in the white, swastikas are unpeened, and there is zero electro-penciling to speak of. I know it's RC though because of the crossed swords "X" mark on the receiver.

The finish on mine is crap is there a way to smooth the finish with out messing it up?

Wonderful video. There is a lot I don't know. I'd never heard of Soviet Captured K98 in the USA. Thank you!

I have a Russian capture with no x's, all the black, the symbols and Eagles are gone, original finish i think, but all the numbers are matching but the box plate. any thoughts or ideas?

ਬੁਹਤ ਵਧੀਆ ਲਗਦੀਆਂ ਨੇ ਵੀਰੇ ਤੇਰੀਆਂ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਮਾਉਜ਼ਰ 7.92 ਦੀਆਂ ਵੀਡੀਓ ਅਤੇ ਜਾਣਕਾਰੀ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਜੀ।

I have a question, I recently bought a rifle at a military vehicle show it is marked dou 42. I assume that is 1942 right? I can’t find any numbers on the stock, but it has a flat steel buttplate with a matching number. All the numbers I can find match except the bolt assembly(it’s not a bent bolt). There’s no possible way this could be a Russian capture right? Did the Germans number the stocks? If so where?

Good video! Thanks

I own a few Mausers but the K98K is one of my favorites because the work better than my 1891/30 Mosins...

My K98K is a byf '41. It has been blackened. No matching numbers. No electro penceling, no X's, no numbers on the butt stock. All of the swastika's are still intact. No paint on the stock as far as I can judge... I found the gun in The Netherlands. The gun has no backstory. What do you think?

Have a K98 that of everything you listed, only has the blackened numbers on the sight and an electro-penciled bolt. Everything but my bolt are matching numbers. So I'm not sure what it would be or what company would have marked it like it has been.

I just bought a Russian capture the other day due to the rarity of them where I'm at. And I'm honestly impressed with the rework the Russians did. It still runs smoothly but are ever any Russian captures the the round front sight still attached instead of just the sight itself?

Also my RC has a capitol and lowercase G stamped on the left side of the receiver and there are 7 symbols that look kinda like triplanes that have “WaA623” stamped underneath, what do these mean?

I have a Russian capture with no x's, all the black, the swastikas and Eagles are gone, original finish i think, but all the numbers are matching but the box plate. any thoughts or ideas?

I recently acquired a Mauthausen production K98 which does not appear to be a russian capture, It is all numbers matching, does not have the peened markings or the "X" etc and the buttplate is almost shiny metal as is the bolt takedown disc. The stock itself is a very light coloration of wood. Considering sigthing it in Saturday if the weather holds. Its a smooth action and is scoped.

Another indicator of a Russian capture is the lack of a cleaning rod and the two locking screws on the bottom of the receiver

hello, hopefully you can help me. i just bought a k98 and i see no x's or any peening on it. all numbers are matching. however, the sight is blued/black as is the bolt tool hole in the stock. it is marked "dou" and 44 on top. I'm trying to figure out if it's worth collecting and keeping or turning it into a shooter. thanks!

makes me wonder, why be so sloppy with the bolts? did they check or change headspace on each mismatched rifle?

Hi, I have question- i recently bought a kar98k mauser, but i have problems identifying it- it is refinished, mostly non-matching numbers the receiver is marked BNZ-43, mod98, but all of waffenamts had been crudely grounded off, and eagle on receiver had beaten out swastika and wings, the bolt also have no nazi markings except numbers which seems to be re-numbered- numbers on small parts are grounded off and bolt is refinished and has plum tone finish like on soviet SVT-40 rifle bolt. The stock have no bolt take down ring- it is not VZ-24 stock- there are no groves for better grip, and it has been covered with some red tone colour, and it is numbered in area arround grip. The barrel seems to be non-matching- and has some crude markings like russian "G" letter and number 3.

Hey, I have a K98 barreled receiver of a BYF 43, but on the very bottom of the barrel, just in front of the receiver there is an "x" mark. Could this be the RC symbol you think? Also there is a gothic style "f" under my serial number on the receiver, what is that code for? Thanks!

great info

I have a Yugo captured K98... Do you know where I can find info on those?

Have a Yugoslavian capture. Most German marks scrubbed but still a lot of stamps here and there, made in 1943 but the maker scrubbed and the Yugoslavian seal applied. Might have been rebarreled but not sure. Early flat butt plate on the stock and a late forward barrel band. Parts mismatched on most parts but each piece saw some action and tells an unknown story. Considering the quality of manufactured parts (up to a certain point) doesn't matter if they all are numbered the same.

I have a dot 43 K98 with no RC or import markings, but numerous mismatched parts that still have their waffenamts. What could this one be?

I have a k98k that exhibits all the signs of a Russian capture except for the crossed rifles on the receiver. And also the cupped butt plate has not been blued/blacked. Other than that all things you mentioned are in line with a Russian capture (peened, electro penciled, mismatched numbers). Do you think it's likely a Russian capture or did other countries do similar things to captured k98k's?

How much do good quality Mauser 98ks/ K98ks go for and where could i get one?

I like your video. Don't like guns that much, but I had a brand new one that was never shot. I did use it many times and enjoyed fitting it. Sorry I departed with it and now looking to buy one but want a mint condition.

I am not sure they blued over all the rust. Maybe mild surface rust, but deep pitting I think they probably grit blasted or chemically treated prior to finishing them, otherwise some of the rust would probably come through. I could be wrong, and maybe their bluing process was adequate to reverse even bad rust since bluing is a form of controlled corrosion itself. I just figure if they were going through all that trouble, they would have treated the metal prior to finishing them. Sweet rifle, don't let anyone ever tell you that a RC K98 isn't a respectable collectible. They will never be worth as much as all correct rifles, but value has steadily increased and they are worth more than a lot of other surplus Mausers because you can't deny their origin.

Mine has all matching action except the firing pin and stock. The butt plate is right, so is the barrell. The fingerguard and magazine are also not matching. Anyway, the reason im sayin this is that most russian captures have the main most important parts matching. Even vet bring backs are sometimes mosmatched due to parts wearing out etc.

Good video thanks

So the wood has been redone completely on these? And is it safe to say that a russian capture has most likely been used on another front during the Cold War?

What calibres do the russian captures come in? 30-06?

Just checked mine butt plate in the white well worn blueing bolt receiver and floor plate all matching numbers. except for some nimrod sanding and shiny stuff the stock i think i have a G.I. bring back.

Nice video! My Russian-capture has been a safe queen for the last 10 years, so I'm thinking about selling it. What do you suppose one of these is worth in excellent condition?

In the 70's these sold for $16 at Oshman's. They had barrels full of them.

the laminated stock I belive was adopted 1942 onwards, and hooded sites. I brought a 1938 Mauser had a 9 out of 10 barrel but the previous owner had messed with the but and installed a laminated but plate why I'll never know. to be honest nice rifle good to work with but still preferred the 303 for accuracy. just my opinion.

Hitler would be f---ing furious at the sound of the word capture.

My barrel doesn't have a serial number, but it has the waffenamt. Why is this? Anyone know?

What about the curdlly stamped X on bolt?

It’ll be nice if you could do a yugo M98 or yugo captured K98k Mauser! Yes I understand it’s not as interesting as a Russian captured k98. Thanks

Mine is a 1943 AR RC but has a unfinished butt pad

How much would a Russian Capture S/42g be worth today? Found one for $800, obviously all numbers mismatched but the bore looks brand new and the metal/wood looks amazing. No "X" or other markings done by Russians. Almost bought it today, but wasn't sure if $800 was a fair price. Trying to research and decide if I should go back tomorrow

If these rifles could only talk, RC's were all captured which means they were likely on the front at some time protecting some soldiers butt. Unless of course it belonged to the cook LOL. I have one k98 that is a twin to your , 39 Mauser 42 almost identical marking and waffenamps, but mine has the flat butt plate. The other k98 I have has no X numbers do not match, no grind on stock with serial numbers, no re-bluing, no signs of reworking. It is a Steyer BNZ 1943, the stock were the front strap goes through is worn down about 3/8 inch, this thing was carried long and far, I love these guns they were so well made. . Dont be to down on those "garbage rod" Mosins, a lot are poorly made because of rushing production, there were some poorly made Mauser toward the end of the war, when the shoe was on the other foot, but the Mauser is a much better design I do have a 39 Mosin, Izhevsk, that is unusual, It's all matching but the floor plate, butiful bluing, no machine marks, polished bolt, shiny bore, and shoots very well.

hi are there still many in russia?

So i see you have that bolt disassembly hole on your butt stock! I was wondering why doesnt my 98k rifle have one?

I recently picked up a German K98 made in 1941 and it was a Russian capture but the only markings it has is two cross markings otherwise it has the numbers and swastika with eagle. It’s a pleasure to shoot and for what I paid for it I don’t regret it.

0:33 Some of them in this picture will be sent to North Korea, China, and Vietnam.

Shwash Stickers . :D

Melhor carabina K98K clássico.

Nice

I have one. It is a bit rough but my plan that will crush the purists is to overhaul it to make a match rifle for "as issued" matches. The electro pencil marks will be removed, the stock replaced, the metal refinished to what it should have been. The barrel is actually in great shape so no change needed there.

Im fairly certain the Russians took all the slings and cleaning rods and you have to buy your own. That was the case of the K98s from the business I bought mine from.

does being a Russian capture raise or lower the value, I have an SS contract Rifle but it also has the Russian capture x and several other signs it was captured. When I bought it, they made no reference to it being a Russian Capture, but they sure did make a big deal about being an SS contract Rifle. I thought having two special things about this Rifle made it really interesting.

Is it used nowadays

These are going for $1300-$1400 in Canada now.

I like knowing the Russians captured my 98. I like it more then another 98 I have that was a bring back.

The Mauser 98 service rifle is beautiful and has a strong front locking action that can be readily rechambered for a wide range of rimless hunting rounds like the 9.3x62mm big game round, but was a second-rate service rifle. The simpler and more robust Mosin-Nagant (pronounced ‘Mo-seen Na-gon’) - which was affectionately called the “Mosinka” by Russian soldiers - is a much better service rifle thanks in large part to its quick release magazine floorplate that allows quick and easy cleaning if dust, sand, dirt or mud gets into the action without the use of tools. Even better is the Lee-Enfield service rifle which had a rear locking action that was far easier to clean if dust, sand, dirt or mud got into the locking lug recesses, and uses easily cleaned quick detachable 10 round magazine (double the capacity of the 98 and Mosinka which use non-detachable magazines). You can also single load a round directly into the chamber of the Mosinka and Lee-Enfield if something went wrong with the magazine without a problem, but try doing so with the 98 and you will likely break the extractor. The best Mauser type rifle is the contemporary CRF Winchester Model 70 which has a quick release magazine floorplate, a coned breech, an easy to use 3-positon side-swing safety that facilitates the use of a low mounted telescopic sight, and a bevelled extractor that allows you to single load a round directly into the chamber without breaking the extractor. That said, if I had to grab one of these rifles for use in any conditions I'd grab a Lee-Enfield (No. 5 “Jungle Carbine”), but would favor a Mosinka (M38 Carbine) if I wanted the most rugged rifle; though the M70 is arguably better for use against dangerous game thanks to its CRF action (better feed reliability) and a much easier to use safety than those used by the 98 and the Mosinka (if not the Lee-Enfield which has an excellent safety). If debris gets into the front locking lugs recesses of the 98, Mosinka or M70 you will want a toothbrush and a water canteen to clean it out. Lee-Enfield rifles in good condition are no longer readily available but Mosinkas are. The Molot KO-91/30 M hunting rifle is essentially a refurbished Mosin-Nagant M91/30 service rifle with a shorter barrel, a turned down bolt handle to facilitate the use of telescopic sights, and a quick detach AK type side mount.

i just bought a restored matching byf 43 k98k off gunbroker for $1500 worried that i may have bought a fake matcher.

These rifles do have provenance: if you have a Russian-capture K98k, you know a German soldier carried it into combat and you know the Russians refurbished it - that is part of its indelible history.

"Russian Captures" began showing up in Spring of 1943. 🤣🤣. During WW2, captured Kar98s were absolutely issued to Soviet Troops on a pretty decent basis. Russian Snipers loved 'em. These rifles even remained in Federal Army Reserve and Provincial National Guard Units for the Soviet Military well into the 1960s, as did other German and Soviet WW2 Firearms like the PPSH41, PPS43, MP40, MP38, Mosin Nagant, SVT-40, Tokarev TT-33, and Walther P38.

How much is worth now dude?

They are also counterbored.

What used to be 180 to 230$ is now 400 to 500$ good for owners bad for the what used to be the affordable surplus market

Shwashtickaz

I have one but looking at it it doesn't looks like a russian capture but neither from a german ( even if it has one german marking on the side and is dated 1918 ) ... I think it's coming from Mars

The Soviets shipped a lot of them to Guatemala together with hundreds of MG-34 and MG-42 to support the government of Jacobo Arbens, this shipment of arms propitiated the US support of General de armas who staged a coup rescuing the country from communism in 1954

How much would a gun like that be worth? Would it be less then say... a Yugoslavian Mauser?

I have a early Austria Mauser converted to nato I have the dates on the gun when it was rebarreled I had a fee more question for you if you get a chance.

Given the fact that the Germans had basically chased the Russians all the way back to Stalingrad and would have slaughtered the Russians if it hadn't been for the 2-front war Germany had to fight alongside another army that was helping but also made things more difficult in some ways.

I predict in 25-35 years from now...most of the (fully refurbished) "destroyed" K98s will be the only German K98 Rifles that people still take out to the range and enjoy...while the forum K98 purist Nazis will be debating on how a "real" K98 is devalued each and every time it's taken out to the range. I now know that my Mitchel's Mausers were all refurbished which makes them non-collector style (bolt is white which is incorrect for instance. I did not know this at the time I bought it; maybe I wouldn't have bought 2 of them when I did. I was in Iraq on a deployment in 2007 when I purchased them over the phone! However, I don't believe like 1/16" - 1/32" of steel was grinded of metal just to re-stamp matching serial numbers off of their Russian Capture Rifles. I've seen no real evidence of that so far other internet hate. When I bought their rifles they had several grades of weapons to pick from which was partly based upon matching numbers or not. At a minimum, my receivers are real WW2 byf mausers that no one, not even the purist will argue with. If my children have children, than my future grandkids will get the opportunity to inherit and live fire shoot a real German Mauser in the future.

Lol how can the soviets deny they didnt supply mausers when they own 90% of them lol

1200 to 1500 In Canada Ontario for one Rn

If They are selling for $800, they are not worth it because that’s the ceiling they are ever going to sell for. I rather buy a Yugo M-48 or a Spanish Mauser.

Hello from the year 2020............. I found my K98k at gun show miss-matched numbered, Missing cleaning rod, It's a non-Russian ........ $750 cash

bruh why the Russians didn't copy the kar98k rifle instead of continue producing the garbage rod

Overprized, pitted, rusted, surplus rifles that can blow-up. For the price for one that i priced ($900-$1200) I can buy a beautiful, used, Weatherby MarkV and dont have to worry about it blowing-up in my face...

fil nermand 1944