PCShogun
Well-Known Fanatic
Browsing a Pawn Shop and noticed an older rifle tucked into the back rack at a local pawn shop. Asked the young lady if I could view it and immediately fell in love with the engraving in old world style lettering and a large date stamp of 1916! Put it on lay-a-way to hold it till i get the funds to bring it home to the rest of the collection.
Question: While I have shot some older rifles, this one is OLD. Can anyone suggest a gunsmith who can:
1) Verify the metal is still in good shape to withstand firing the 8mm Mauser cartridge used today. I do not reload and do not wish to make 'special' loads for this rifle. I will not shoot it a lot, but will on occasion.
2) Very the rifling is still in good shape. Many of these rifles were apparently demil'd by jamming metal rods down the barrels. These have been removed in many 98's, but it damages the bore. I did not see anything wrong with the rifling other than it is dark and rough. Shooting a few down the barrel helps this a lot.
3) A very modern screw has been placed near the mag floor plate. You can easily see it in the image below. I can obtain a replacement that is period correct, but I need to know if they damaged the threads to where this cannot be done, or fix it so it can.
4) Is it head spaced correctly? Again, I do not want to wear this bolt in my skull. However, I do not like 'Safe Queens' or 'Wall Hangers'. I want to shoot it, or it will be sold for parts.
What will all this cost me, roughly? I have got to get the funds gathered before dropping this historical piece off for the work. I have never had this done in the past, but 98 years is a long time.
Question: While I have shot some older rifles, this one is OLD. Can anyone suggest a gunsmith who can:
1) Verify the metal is still in good shape to withstand firing the 8mm Mauser cartridge used today. I do not reload and do not wish to make 'special' loads for this rifle. I will not shoot it a lot, but will on occasion.
2) Very the rifling is still in good shape. Many of these rifles were apparently demil'd by jamming metal rods down the barrels. These have been removed in many 98's, but it damages the bore. I did not see anything wrong with the rifling other than it is dark and rough. Shooting a few down the barrel helps this a lot.
3) A very modern screw has been placed near the mag floor plate. You can easily see it in the image below. I can obtain a replacement that is period correct, but I need to know if they damaged the threads to where this cannot be done, or fix it so it can.
4) Is it head spaced correctly? Again, I do not want to wear this bolt in my skull. However, I do not like 'Safe Queens' or 'Wall Hangers'. I want to shoot it, or it will be sold for parts.
What will all this cost me, roughly? I have got to get the funds gathered before dropping this historical piece off for the work. I have never had this done in the past, but 98 years is a long time.
