Owner’s Manual for the Care and Use of The Crown Jewel of Bolt Action Rifles! The Legendary . . . Mauser 98k - Model 48 Rifle in 8mm Mauser Caliber This Owner’s Manual should always accompany the rifle and be transferred with it upon change of ownership. Become thoroughly knowledgeable with the instructions contained here and review the entire booklet each time you intend to use your rifle. This rifle must be thoroughly cleaned before use. Copyright© 1999 by Mitchell Manufacturing Corp.
Fig 1 - Exterior Components 2 Mauser 98k - Model 48 Parts Identification This illustration is intended to identify all exterior component parts for easy reference as you go through this owners manual in detail.
Mauser 98k - Model M48 &RQJUDWXODWLRQV on your purchase of a very special rifle. The rifle you have is more than 50 years old and, at the same time, is a like-new . . . Collector Grade Rifle! Your rifle has matching serial numbers on all numbered parts of the rifle. This is rare in the history of gun collecting and especially so in former military rifles. It is very important in establishing the value of your rifle (for insurance or perhaps trading purposes).
A Little Mauser History: Much has been written about the genius of Paul Mauser and his brother Wilhelm and their invention of the famous Mauser rifle. It is the forerunner of virtually every modern bolt action rifle made in the 20th Century. Many books have been written about Mauser rifles. Even today, most bolt action rifles are based on the principles of the Mauser brothers, regardless of the brand. Your rifle is a Mauser 98k Model 48 rifle that was built near the end of W.W.
Mauser 98k - Model M48 You must assure that the rifle is clean, complete and normally functional as described in this manual. Please pay particular attention to the section on cleaning your rifle. As an owner, that responsibility rests with you. Characteristics and General Description of your Rifle: The Mauser 98k Model M48 is a shoulder mounted, trigger actuated, striker fired, magazine fed, bolt action rifle.
Safety: Safety is your responsibility and your primary concern. Of course, you know the basic handling rules governing the use of any firearm. Nevertheless, we repeat them here: 1. Never point this rifle at anything you are not willing to destroy, even if it is not loaded. This rifle fires the powerful 8mm Mauser cartridge. You must know what you’re doing. 2. Don’t load or fire this rifle until you are thoroughly familiar with it and all of its handling characteristics.
Mauser 98k - Model M48 1. Fully safe position: Same as the ‘full right’ position. With the lever easily swung over to the full right position, the rifle cannot be fired, and the bolt cannot be opened. The rifle is fully safe. 2. Safe-unload position: Same as ‘vertical’ or ‘middle’ position. With the lever standing straight up, the rifle cannot be fired but the bolt can be opened for unloading.
Loading: There are two ways to load your rifle. Put the safety lever in the straight up (middle) position before you do anything. 1. The fastest way to load is to have ammunition on ‘stripper’ clips. Notice that there is a cut-out in the top rear receiver ring designed specifically for stripper clip loading. With the bolt open, simply fit the loaded clip into the cut-out and then smartly ‘strip’ the cartridges into the empty magazine as far as you can push them.
Mauser 98k - Model M48 sight base. With the hood removed, the drift adjustable sight is exposed. Lay the rifle down on its side and support the front sight base securely because you will be ’tapping’ on the sight alone; to move it in its groove. It is a dove tailed friction fit and it will not move easily. However, not much movement will be required to make even large adjustments. Movement of the sight should only be done by using a small brass tool(rod) and tap the rod with a hammer using only light blows.
Firing: Your rifle is designed to fire only the 8mm Mauser cartridge. It is readily available and can be purchased where you bought the rifle. Your rifle is a shoulder fired rifle and requires the use of two hands. It should not be fired in any other way. Grasp the semi-pistol grip in your right hand, and with your left hand, grasp the rifle as far forward as is comfortable for you. Bring the buttstock firmly to your shoulder and as high as is comfortable.
Mauser 98k - Model M48 Unloading Your Rifle: If you change your mind and choose not to shoot, just follow these simple instructions. Keep the rifle pointed safely down range. Raise the safety lever to the vertical position. (If the rifle is not cocked, lift the bolt handle first, then put the safety on.) Open the bolt and extract the loaded round.
floor plate and the rod firmly rearward. The floor plate will move th back about 1/8 inch only. b. Release the pressure on the plunger and the floor plate will come away from the rifle by the force of the follower spring. Lift out the whole assembly as one piece, the floor plate, the follower and the follower spring. (We’ll take it apart later.) c. Now thoroughly clean out the magazine well with a good quality solvent.
Mauser 98k - Model M48 somewhat difficult (it requires some strength in your hands and you are dealing with a very powerful firing pin spring, so pay careful attention). a. Check the position of the safety lever. It should be in the vertical (upright) position. If it isn’t, put the bolt back in the rifle and close it. Swing the safety lever up to the vertical position. Then remove the bolt from the rifle and proceed. b. Separate the firing pin assembly from the bolt body as follows.
ii. Clean all of the little nooks and crannies. A tooth brush is handy. Carefully inspect everything. ii. Observe the long claw extractor. It should easily rotate around the bolt through the full range of its guide slot. Do not remove the extractor. Simply clean it. Restore it to its original position in line with the locking lug, otherwise you won’t be able to get the bolt back into the rifle. e.
Mauser 98k - Model M48 ii. Caution: From this point on you will be dealing with a highly compressed and powerful spring. You must wear eye protection. If you don’t have it, stop the procedure until you get eye protection because you will be decompressing and compressing the spring (in the re-assembly process). iii. Compress the spring: With the firing pin inserted into the work table hole, firmly grasp the bolt sleeve while leaving the cocking piece free to move.
iv. Make sure the safety lever is in the vertical position. If it is not, compress the spring again and turn the safety lever to the vertical position. The bolt is now ’cocked’ because the spring is compressed and ready for installation into the bolt body. Now that you have seen some of the internal parts, you can appreciate the superior engineering and extra strength built into your rifle. Now you can begin the reassembly process. Reassembly: 1.
Mauser 98k - Model M48 Original Accessories Included: Some rifles come equipped with all the accessories intended for soldiers over fifty years ago. 1. Bayonet, Scabbard, and Frog. Your rifle comes with a standard issue bayonet and scabbard. The bayonet is brand new (but over fifty years old) and is very sharp. The frog (the leather belt hanger) is a safe way to carry a bayonet, should you choose to do so.
A cleaning rope is something we don’t see very often any more. The rope is small enough to easily pass through the bore. Each end has a lead weight so it can be easily dropped through the bore. In the middle is a loop that is designed to hold a swab soaked in oil or solvent. You’ll probably want to keep the cleaning rope in its original condition for its historical interest. 3. Leather Shoulder Sling: The sling has two important devices associated with it to make it function properly.
Mauser 98k - Model M48 Modern Optional Accessories: You may now purchase the following newly designed accessories for your rifle. They will permit you to selectively “modernize” your rifle for hunting purposes and then restore your rifle to its original military configuration any time you please. 1. Long eye-relief scope mount: This mount fits securely into the base of the rear sight and requires no gunsmithing. You can do it yourself and you won’t alter your rifle.
Collector Grade Mauser Rifle The M48 rifle represents the peak developement of the K98 Mauser style infantry rifle. It’s superior design incorporated more refinements and it was constructed of superior materials, not having been subjected to material shortages like the rifles built in Germany. Only an accident of history has preserved this fine rifle for your enjoyment. Your rifle is over 50 years old. It is an heirloom and will last for many generations with just a modicum of care.
