Fudd Friday: Mauser M98 Das Original Mashes Up History And Technology

February 12, 2026
8:00 am

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Imagine a rifle that whispers the ghosts of World War trenches and African safaris, yet packs the precision punch of a 21st-century optic-ready beast. That's the magic of Mauser's new M98 Das Original, a bolt-action masterpiece that resurrects the legendary 1898 action—forged in the fires of imperial Germany and proven across a century of hunts and wars—while grafting on modern upgrades like a Timney trigger, extended bolt handle, and a three-position safety that nods to today's tactical sensibilities. Available now in a groundbreaking magnum chambering (think .375 H&H or similar beasts never before offered in this icon), it's not just a rifle; it's a time machine with a recoil pad, blending the buttery smoothness of a pre-'64 Winchester feel with sub-MOA accuracy potential straight out of the box. For the 2A community, this isn't mere nostalgia porn—it's a sly middle finger to the notion that modern means polymer and Picatinny rails everywhere. In an era where anti-gunners demonize assault weapons while ignoring timeless wood-and-steel classics, the M98 Das Original reminds us that innovation thrives in tradition. It democratizes high-end hunting for the everyman, with MSRP likely hovering in the accessible $2,500-$3,000 range (based on Mauser's pricing history), making magnum power attainable without selling a kidney. Pair it with a Leupold VX-6HD, and you've got a setup that honors Paul Mauser's genius while outshooting most factory rifles from the 20th century. This mashup validates the pro-2A ethos: history evolves, it doesn't rust away. The implications ripple wide. As manufacturers chase the AR15 gold rush, Mauser's move signals a renaissance for bolt guns—perfect for states with mag bans or hunters dodging optics restrictions. It's a curator's dream for your safe: heirloom quality that your grandkids will fight over, backed by German engineering that laughs at import bans. If you're a Fudd at heart (guilty!) or a tacti-cool operator craving soul in your steel, snag one before they're collector bait. Das Original isn't just a rifle; it's proof the Second Amendment's spirit is alive, chambered in magnum history.

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Imagine a rifle that whispers the ghosts of World War trenches and African safaris, yet packs the precision punch of a 21st-century optic-ready beast. That’s the magic of Mauser’s new M98 Das Original, a bolt-action masterpiece that resurrects the legendary 1898 action—forged in the fires of imperial Germany and proven across a century of hunts and wars—while grafting on modern upgrades like a Timney trigger, extended bolt handle, and a three-position safety that nods to today’s tactical sensibilities. Available now in a groundbreaking magnum chambering (think .375 H&H or similar beasts never before offered in this icon), it’s not just a rifle; it’s a time machine with a recoil pad, blending the buttery smoothness of a pre-’64 Winchester feel with sub-MOA accuracy potential straight out of the box.

For the 2A community, this isn’t mere nostalgia porn—it’s a sly middle finger to the notion that modern means polymer and Picatinny rails everywhere. In an era where anti-gunners demonize assault weapons while ignoring timeless wood-and-steel classics, the M98 Das Original reminds us that innovation thrives in tradition. It democratizes high-end hunting for the everyman, with MSRP likely hovering in the accessible $2,500-$3,000 range (based on Mauser’s pricing history), making magnum power attainable without selling a kidney. Pair it with a Leupold VX-6HD, and you’ve got a setup that honors Paul Mauser’s genius while outshooting most factory rifles from the 20th century. This mashup validates the pro-2A ethos: history evolves, it doesn’t rust away.

The implications ripple wide. As manufacturers chase the AR15 gold rush, Mauser’s move signals a renaissance for bolt guns—perfect for states with mag bans or hunters dodging optics restrictions. It’s a curator’s dream for your safe: heirloom quality that your grandkids will fight over, backed by German engineering that laughs at import bans. If you’re a Fudd at heart (guilty!) or a tacti-cool operator craving soul in your steel, snag one before they’re collector bait. Das Original isn’t just a rifle; it’s proof the Second Amendment’s spirit is alive, chambered in magnum history.

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