I picked up this Russian Capture K98 a couple of years back (in fact, it was my first firearm purchase). For those that don't know, the Russians coated their captured K98 stocks in shellac, something that was not originally found on K98s. There is debate among collectors as to whether one should strip off this shellac, but for me, it just looks plain ugly.

The rifle as I originally purchased it. Yuck:





I stripped off the shellac with denaturated alcohol and refinished it with a coat of beeswax, but I just didn't like the overall look I had achieved. It looked too "pale" for a wartime K98:



Part of the problem was that I hadn't done a thorough job in stripping off all the shellac the first time, so I made sure I didn't make that mistake this time. After re-stripping the finish I applied three coats of boiled linseed oil (it's true what they say - BLO-soaked rags will spontaneously combust ). The result (although not the greatest lighting here, and I really need to get a new digital camera), is a much more authentic-looking K98. I could immediately tell a difference after re-attaching the receiver (bigger pics in a separate window):





Granted, it's a parts gun, so it's nothing all that special, but it's my one K98 that I do shoot, so I wanted it to look good. I'm overall satisfied with the results.

Beautiful job, LukeFF, I've got a C96 Mauser pistol that would make a nice companion to this rifle. I've always wanted a K98, Mauser made some really nice firearms back then. My C96 is 98 years old and has always been one of my favorite firearms to shoot.

Lukeff, you are right about needing to re-do the Russian capture K98k's, That red-tinged shallac they used really is ugly on the 98s. I have two of the 98s, I kept one unchanged and re-did one. personally I like the paler look. When I stripped down one, I was considering either a stain or some oil to darken it, but stayed with wax,

Yeah, with restorations like this it really is up to the collector to decide what type of finish to use. From doing some reading on the web, German soldiers used common motor oil on their K98 stocks (probably to keep moisture from permeating the wood). I had read good things about using BLO on K98 stocks, so that's why I went with it.

BTW, after posting those pics I realized I had re-installed the metal sling attachment the wrong way.

Here is my restoration 98.


Pretty ugly finish.



Disassembled and stripped. Ready for final assembly and waxing.









Here are two of mine showing Russian shellacing and refinished.



The unfinished one was in general condition better of the two so I left it original. No matter what you do, the original German laminated wood will never be really attractive. I've looked for re-made stocks in the original WW II pattern without success. All the new stuff is different sporterized pattern. I would love to find a walnut stock newly made to the old military shape.

OG, shouldn't these pictures be out by the pool?

btw, there's a foot in the bottom left of the first pic.

Nice job on that one. I really like that old Gothic script.