Mitchell's Mausers

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rjostma

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So many people post messages warning against the evil of MM. I've purchased from them, several of my friends have purchased from them and there has never been a problem. When I called to purchase my M48, it was explained to me exactly what I was purchasing. They even agreed to take the rifle back if I was not happy with it when it arrived. If anyone was being mislead, it was me misleading myself and they set me straight about the gun.

It also seems that warnings come from people who know someone, who knows someone else, who heard someone, somewhere, is unhappy about their purchase. With MM offering to refund your money if you're unhappy, how can anyone end up unhappy?

I was treated well, and ended up with a rifle that I feel is worth much more than I paid for it. I'm hoping to grab another one before they are all gone. Where else can you purchase a brand-new 8mm Mauser for $400? Current production Mausers costs over a grand. The museum grade M48 I purchased is in mint condition, completely flawless and costs less then a day's pay. How can I go wrong? I don't have any complaints against Mitchell's Mausers.
 
Well, for starters "museum grade M48 I purchased is in mint condition" is a complete crock of you know what. I would like to understand what you think about your M48 is being worthy of the phrase "museum grade".

MM scrubs any authenticity out of their rifles, grinding off serial numbers/stock markings, re-stamping serial numbers to "force match" parts, and a liberal application of a belt sander ditto polyurethene does not make the scrubbed M48's they're selling "a brand-new rifle". Not by a long shot.

The collector value of $400 MM M48 is waaay less than what you paid, but at least you seem to be "happy customer" if not a suscipious "advocate" for Mitchells Mausers.lls
 
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If you like paying lots of money for a refinished rifle I guess MM is the way to go. I also have plenty of doubts that any of the stampings are authentic as well. Anyone can buy a surplus rifle and make it all new and shiny. If you want to pay someone to do it for you and put it into a fancy box more power to you. I enjoy my un-molested piece of history.
 
I wonder how they wrote this one up on the job description.

"Will post on at least five gun boards each week, with newly assumed anonymous nicknames, to promote the Mitchell's Mausers brand name and defend employer from defamatory remarks on the part of participants therein."​

:D
 
Beware the Mitchel's Mauser folks.

When they were advertising their "Tanker Mauser". I called and asked where the guns had been gotten having been new to the C&R market, I had never heard of these things. Turns out they were new production Yugo M-48s that had been modified. Told them they were misleading and hung up.
 
If anybody can corroborate these accusations against MM, I'd like to know. The advertise regularly in the VFW Magazine.
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Try to buy one with a C&R license and let us know how that goes.
That should tell you what you need to know.

If you modify the weapon too much it no longer qualifies for a C&R, or if the age is wrong. If they are "authentic" and "collector grade" why would they not qualify for C&R sales? WWII Mausers should be older than 50 years yes?
 
Samuel Adams said:
If anybody can corroborate these accusations against MM, I'd like to know. The advertise regularly in the VFW Magazine.
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They advertise regularly in a lot of places. All that means is that they make enough money to advertise in a lot of places.

Accusations? Did you mean "facts"? Mauser M48: Read Mitchells' ads, and they make it sound like a genuine WW2 artifact. The FACT is it isn't German, it's Yugoslavian, and it isn't WW2 because the "48" in M48 is the year it was first produced. There are no "new" M48s, they are all surplus. And anything approaching $400 is highway robbery. I paid $147 for one with all matching (really matching, not force matched and electro-penciled) numbers. Sarco in New Jersey was selling them for $99, but if you called and asked they'd admit they were force matched numbers.

So if you think paying $400 to get a $99 rifle that someone cleaned the cosmoline off of is a deal, that's what keeps companies like Mitchells in business.
 
Hey, don't be too hard on this guy... take it on faith this guy just ordered one, doesn't know all that much about the gun industry, and is tickled to death about his new Mauser. And that's cool. Geeking out about a new gun is what we are all about here. Right?
 
Lighten up boys. I'm just trying to look out for us Vets. Thanks for the info. I don't intend on buying one but a good friend already did. His rifle is yet to be fired.
 
Lighten up boys
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It's not you, it's hard to go lightly on a company that so obviously preys on people that don't know much about the subject.

It's just not the right way to do business. It may work and be profitable, but it's not right.
 
Ogre, gunz iz good and all that, but, sheesh...

If you have a friend who is looking for something PRETTY, it's a good way to get them "into" milsurp...

But if they aren't into a tad bit of work, then get them to call Cole's and ask what's in stock this month. And then order one, and beg 'em to pick you a nice one (and they're really nice folks). Then give it a live steam shower (which'll also raise the dents...), and let the wood weep in the back window of the car for a while (the ol' lady better love cosmoline...), and when you're done, you'll have a shooter...

(Currently watching Albert Lee, Eric C and Sheryl Crow do Tulsa Time... I've got a 92" screen, 7.4 surround, and 5,000 watts... Rock'n'roll, with a country flavor, and it's all good... And now it's time for some long-haired guy playing a beat up guitar with a hole in it... damn, I don't think the harp player has aged since Honeysuckle Rose...)
 
Boy, prices have gone up up and away...I bought an M-48 at a gun show for $145.00 a couple of years ago - puppy looked brand spanking new and came with a slew of accessories. Shoots like a dream and was worth what I paid for it, (to me anyway), but I also know what it ain't.... ;)
 
I don't know about everyone else but I like the tanker mausers. I bought one in 308 and other than having to replace the magazine spring it has been a decent rifle. I wouldn't buy one of their overpriced m48s. However my little mauser has been a good rifle. I just wish I could have found a short surplus carbine with a good barrel. Probably would have cost about the same and came factory built to the caliber instead of rechambered. In either 7.62 or 30.06 would have been ideal, but I settled on the MM tanker. I don't regret buying it other than the hellacious muzzle blast. I wouldn't buy a MM except as a shooter and wouldn't pay more than what a comparable gun not from MM would cost.
 
A “NEW” Mauser, and it’s over 50 years old!

A genuine Mauser 98K, the Model M48 is the Strongest and Best of the original bolt-action Rifles. Made on German Tooling set up in formerly occupied Serbia. Military-New condition with clean, Bright Bores, and Teakwood stocks, with an American Owner’s Manual covering history, operation, and safety. “Military-New” means it is ready for you; cleaned and tested to assure safety and your satisfaction. Maintained Combat-Ready (and it still is) for over 50 years, now it can be yours. Original Factory matching serial numbers on all rifle parts. Preserved by an accident of history, supply is limited. All original accessories as issued at the time and shown here are sold separately. This Mauser is ideal for collecting, target shooting, hunting, or customizing.

We guarantee it!

Some people may be getting the mistaken impression that these rifles were manufactured by Germans during the occupation. That is not the case. These rifles were manufactured with German technology in Serbia after the people had driven the Germans out of Yugoslavia.

This is an important distinction, because that is one of the reasons why the Model 48 is recognized as a superior example of the K98 type military rifle. The factory in Serbia was not bombed, like the German factories during the war. The factory in Serbia had a good supply of raw materials. And the Model 48 was produced by free people, instead of forced labor. All of which resulted in a superior rifle in its own right, as well as an interesting piece of history.
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Now I have to tell you, that description above does not sound misleading to me. It sounds pretty darned accurate a description of a surplus M48. I found that over at Mitchell Mausers, yes right there on their own web site - imagine that. Now if anyone wants to accuse me of being a Mitchell worker, let me tell you now, go blow-hard somewhere else because you know that is not at all true about me. In fact, i do not even own one of these rifles, but I do like to check oput what people say on these boards. Funny that MM seems to write it up just the opposite way of the how some of you say they describe them.

Of course they also have this write up, but it is not for the M48, rather for German K98s.

History Preserved with the German K98 Infantry Rifle
Mitchell’s Mausers announces the finding of a rare cache of near-new K98k Mauser rifles that survived the destruction of Nazi Germany. Even some special model variations that were produced during WWII are included: rare Nazi factory codes with year code markings, early pre-war Mausers with the famous Mauser ‘Banner’ marking, rare concentration camp rifles, and specially marked “SS” Gestapo rifles. Some K98 sniper rifles complete with the original scope are also available in limited numbers..

The Nazi’s marked every rifle with a secret factory code, a date code, and military inspection stamps with proof marks, depending on where the rifle was made. Many Mauser rifles were built in captured factories in Belgium (Browning) and in the former Czechoslovakia (CZ Brno); now the Czech Republic in addition to rifles intended for other countries. The ‘bnz’ code with the single (Gestapo) rune and the “41” code on the receiver shown here say that this rifle was built in 1941 at the Nazi concentration camp in Steyr, Austria, which was supervised by the infamous SS. Inspection team number 135 used the Weimar Eagle inspection stamp shown here and worked in the original Mauser factory from 1942 to 1945.


The Nazi Eagle, both with and without an associated inspector number, appears on rifles produced in the Nazi era. These two marking types are found stamped on various individual parts depending on when and in which factory the rifle was manufactured.

The Totenkopf (Death’s Head) was affixed to a small number of rifles that were intended for use by special ‘SS’ troops. The mark shown here was stamped on the barrel on the left side immediately ahead of the receiver. The Deaths Head was sometimes applied to the underside of the stock immediately behind the trigger guard in the underside of the pistol grip.

Of special interest are some sniper rifles that have the original long-eye-relief system; the famous ZF-41 models with the long-eye-relief scope mount built into the rear sight base. Some sniper rifle models have high-turret mounts and while others have the German long claw-type mounts’. The long-claw type is shown here.

All rifles have been factory overhauled and preserved in military storage since mid-1945. Now to comply with U.S. insurance regulations, all rifles are torn-down, re-examined, cleaned and tested for fit, function, appearance and completeness. All rifles are provided with American Owner’s Manuals that include all the required U.S. Government safety-warnings.
Separately, American reprints of original German Mauser Operators Manual and separate Soldier’s Training Manuals for K98’s dated 1936 are available.

Original German accessories that were intended to be issued with the rifles during WWII are also at hand.
Mauser rifles are prized the world over for their strength, reliability and legendary accuracy. When the historical pedigree of these particular rifles is considered, they become doubly valuable. Over time prices will go up. Right now the basic Collector Grade German Mauser is available for $499. Other models are individually priced. Mitchell highly recommends getting the K98k now, while selection and availability are good.
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Of course they do have a write up for an offering of actual German mausers, the K98 (not the M48 variant of the K98). Maybe some of you mix up that description weith their description for the M48 and therefore wrongly give them a black eye.

As for you guys debating th eword new, when it comes to firearms, a gun can be described as new even if 50 years old if never fired and kept in as new condition. This is certainly not anything that Mitchell's mausers has a lock on for sure!

All the best,
Glenn B
 
for you guys debating th eword new, when it comes to firearms, a gun can be described as new even if 50 years old if never fired and kept in as new condition. This is certainly not anything that Mitchell's mausers has a lock on for sure!
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New is misleading a more proper term is unissued. 50 yr old wood stocks can shrink with age. Metal can also develop a patina with age. Besides alot of those M48s were briefly issued then refinished/rearsenaled and look new.
 
Besides alot of those M48s were briefly issued then refinished/rearsenaled and look new.
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Do you know that for a fact about the mausers that MM is selling? They have quite the exact description of them. They explain they are 50 or 55 years old, they say they are military New and say what they mean by that. They have new in quottion marks which is a good warning that it does not mean brand new. They also have a link to a PDF file that further explains these rifles are 55 or so years old. Read page 2 of the PDF for more info - http://www.mauser.org/reviews/PR26+OF12%20495.pdf. They apparently are not hiding or mismarking anything. So I just do not see the word game thing you guys are playing as a big deal, they certainly advertise them as they are from what can be seen, and they apparently do not advertise them as some people above claimed.

That's the end of my two cents, I just wanted to give some more of the evidence that was available. I ahve seen evidence of Mitchell's advertising, now I'd sure like to see some of the evidence of what others claim are grounded down and restamped rifles sold by MM.

All the best,
Glenn B
 
I shot next to a guy who had picked one up cheap from an "original owner" and it was a nice rifle. In comparing it to my 24/47 it looks to me like you're basically paying $400 for a $120 rifle that someone spent some elbow grease on and used a buffer and some flitz polish on. (The Buttplate and bolt were absolutely bright and shiny whereas mine has a patina.) The bore on mine looked as good, the wood was easily equal (although his looked much nicer because it appeared to have been sanded out/refinished.

I think the "mis-leading" bit is because if you aren't educated about Mauser's and read one of their ad's you get the impression that you're buying a WWII German Mauser. Here's a direct quote from their American Rifleman ad (this month)

Mauser K98-M48 Series - This WWII-era K98K Mauser variant known as the M48 is still Military-New. Built with German technology in Serbia after the Germans were driven out, the Victory Crest on the reciever has the date "1943" commemorating Yugoslave victory.
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Now what you say about it being completely accurate is true . . . . but to a casual reader it appears that this is a K98 "Variant" that was built in 1943. The use of "variant" to me means that it has the potential to be "rare".

It's only if you know their reputation and think about the statement that you realize that it doesn't say they were made in 1943 (or 1944, or 1945). You have to further analyze the ad to realize it doesn't say "WWII" rifle, it says WWII-era . ..well what's the definition of an era? To me era would mean 1939-1945, but I'm sure that anytime "near" the war is probably the correct definition . . .again it's misleading to a casual reader.

To me you have to read their ad's like you'd read Bill Clinton's deposition's to really understand what the definition of "is" is.

Just my .02

Regards,
Dave
 
MM's original descriptions, before the current one, were very flagrant. They claimed they were real WWII mausers, claimed they were produced in 1943 and were used against the Nazi invaders. Somebody needs to go dig up an older advertisement and post it. I recall very well. That was where they got the very bad reputation. The statement:

"Some people may be getting the mistaken impression that these rifles were manufactured by Germans during the occupation. That is not the case. These rifles were manufactured with German technology in Serbia after the people had driven the Germans out of Yugoslavia."

came out after that ad campaign (and yes, it was the M48 not the K98k). We were incredulous that MM would blatantly lie about their rifles, and then say "golly gee, we don't know why anyone would believe these were WWII because, well, they're not and that means they are better."

Plus, the statement "All rifles have been factory overhauled and preserved in military storage since mid-1945. Now to comply with U.S. insurance regulations, all rifles are torn-down, re-examined, cleaned and tested for fit, function, appearance and completeness." Is a lie. These rifles were never overhauled in 1945.

MM lies. They lie regularly. When the lie becomes public enough, they change the story and act like everybody had gotten them wrong. That they charge very high prices, generally at least 3 times what others were selling, isn't a sin even if they are taking the ignorant for a ride. Telling the ignorant lies about the product (real lies not exaggerations) and then charging 3 times as much makes them slimy.

Ash
 
buying a mauser from mitchells is about the same a buying a colt from david buehn. you'll get a pretty gun thats worth half of what you paid for it & you'll know never to do it again. early in my collecting i almost bought a 1911 from db & a mauser from mitchells. both of them were misleading & at that time the mitchells adds were outright fraud.
they both prey on novice collectors
 
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