k98k rifle overview K98k rifle overview- commonly found on the US market

[72 usmc]

Back a few years ago 2018, I had a very long post on the now gone forum SRF (Surfpusrifleforum.org) about military surplus K98K rifles commonly found on the us market.  In the 2000s there was a flood of surplus Mausers.  I wrote a post describing the attributes of each specimen with many research links, examples, and mostly details from the rifles I own. None of these are deactivated.  I will up date the 14 pages and post the new update information here. Most important, I am in the process of updating all the reference links so they function and can be view a number of ways depending on the age of the reader's computer. Some references are gone, but I  saved most to the Wayback Machine Archive.  I am providing fresh links.  While saved on the archive, I have removed all links to the outdated version. And most important I would like to thank all on this forum for the help they offered.

 

[phantom]

 no problem at all to post this information on a UK forum.        

[Gildwiller1918]

Yes, please add information/pictures. 

[Kenny Andrew]

Hi USMC, best to post from scratch as you suggested with around 5 -10 images per post. PDF files won't work just jpegs, pings etc. To place the image in the correct position , just move the images around by left clicking on them then moving them to where you want, any problems let me know.   

 

[72 usmc]

 Thank you, I will try some short posts,  but I am working on the reorganization of the k98 post from SRF. It will be different, but take about 2 weeks.

[Fritz]

Paste and copy into the position required.

[72 usmc]

Military Surplus K98k’s commonly found at gun shows

INTRODUCTION- 

 

So what is SRF?

So here is my two cents worth of SRF forum history.

 

Surplusrifle.com started around May 2000 by Jamie Magnum as a home grown web site, it was a very popular early forum in the US around 2002 with emphasis on Surplus Military firearms. It ran from 2000-2006.The owner got ill and by 30 March 2007 it was shut down. After its disappearance, a new revised forum called Surplusrifleforum.com began around 4 Aug.2006 with a new name and header. The old information/posts from Surplusrifle.com are archived on the Wayback Machine.

Surplusrifleforum.com was very popular and had as many as 28,519 members prior to the Great Extinction of this forum on 26 or 27 July 2017. All information, stickies, posts, and pictures were gone due to the single owners access to the old host being lost. All membership info was lost and everyone had to reregister. Surplusrifleforum.com was restarted by elricfate on 2 June 2017. The access to all older posts was gone. It started as a fresh slate.

Most of the old posts ( 2006-2017) are saved on The Wayback Machine. Then came the Photobucket “switch to pay as you post” game. As of June 30, 2017, Photobucket dropped its free hosting service. After 10 years of allowing free picture posting, that was stopped. As a result, most photos not saved and posted by the direct forum method were lost. All photos archived on Photobucket and posted direct through Photobucket were gone on the forum and the Wayback Machine Archive unless you paid pay the yearly Photobucket fee to restore them. This was devastating to most forums because so many diagnostic and documentary photos vanished.

So in the Wayback Machine Archive: you have old posts from Surplusrifle.com (2003-2006) and then Surplusrifleforum.com (2006 -2017). Some also saved posts on the Wayback Machine from the post Extinction of June 2017. As of 16 Nov. 2020 surplusrifleforum.com has been updated to surplusrifleforum.org. This update of the host also caused a loss of photos for a second time. Most rebuilt their important posts. Surplusrifleforum.org (SRF) was in operation from 16 Nov. 2020 until it unexpectedly went off line in June 2022.

One of my popular posts was:

Military Surplus K98k’s commonly found at gun shows

This is an overview of commonly found K98k rifle types easily and inexpensively found in the United States at gun shows during the great influx of Surplus Military Rifles from the late 1990s till around 2021. It was posted on SRF on 11 January 2018. Times have changed and prices have climbed as the demand has increased while rifle availability has declined. Some of the price information is out of dated.

This SRF post originated as 4 pages of information and over time received 216 replies providing added comments, new links to background information, more photo documentation of rifle examples and questions that enlarged the post to fifteen pages. Instead of just providing the Wayback Machine Archive links, I have reorganized this old post providing first, the basic attributes for identification and description of the rifle types (the basic 4 pages); then second providing some of the more interesting replies, and photo documentation showing detailed examples of the rifles with in each type.

The Subtopic headings will include:

Introduction

RC Russian Capture K98k

Yugo (Yugoslavian) K98k Capture Rebuilds

Mitchell's Mausers, US Remanufacture K98k rifles

Romanian/ Albanian/ Balkan K98k Captures

Czechoslovakian K98k  Intro. & Post War 

The Common Czech K98k, Scrubbed Receiver

Israeli K98k’s, A Review

FN Belgian Contract 7.62 K98k with IDF crest

Rampant Lion Crested Israeli K98k

French Capture K98k

Norwegian K98k in 30-06

Portuguese Contract K98k

K98k US Bring Backs or close to them with or without Import Marks

Ethiopian K98K (RTI)

GEW 98 Rebuilt into K98ks

Hungarian G98/40

Conclusion

 

 

————————————————————————

 

original post:

 

Military Surplus K98ks, Introduction

 

You got to love the backbone of the Germany Army, Paul Mauser's design came to a climax in Karabiner K98k. And who would have known that those $200 bring backs in late 1960s would be pushing beyond $1000 depending on its state of matching numbers, metal condition, stock condition, German code & date, bring back papers, sling, bayonet and provenience. Every one would like an intact, bring back K98k. Even one with a miss matched bolt is a great find. But for most, the German K98k rifle is hard to find since most of the WW II guys are gone, and the intact specimen's cost is beyond reach. In addition, due to their high cost, there is a lot of fakery by guys converting almost-matching rifles or sporters back into the more valuable, complete, all-matching German K98ks. Unless you are knowledgeable and well versed in K98k rifle collecting, I would not pay top buck for an intact specimen K98k rifle without consulting an experienced collector. There are just too many fakes to fool a beginning shooter/collector.

 

On the less expensive side and with a heck of a lot of luck, a great find in my opinion are the mostly-matching K98k rifles. These can come in different ways. Some might be all matching except the bolt--and the bolt may match itself, some may be all matching having a non sanded finish, but the original stock may have been re-varnished or recoated, or some are a 1950’s sporterized rifle with matching numbers except for the missing stock and stock parts. These make great shooters and are more "German" than Mitchell's Mausers, and way less expensive -- just that you do not have Mitchell's Certificate of Authentic Fakery.

 

Most shooters and even new collectors now have to settle with the common surplus market rebuilds: Russian captures (RC Mausers), Yugoslavian capture M98/48s, Mitchell's Mauser's frauds, or Romanian/Albanian/Balkan captures. There are other types like the harder to find French or Israeli captures; then there are the almost impossible to find Portuguese contract K98, a Yugo refurbished German K98k with markings intact, an Israeli 8mm, German K98k not converted to 7.62 NATO, and the Norwegian K98k captures converted to 30-06. Neither of which I have seen at gun shows for some time. If you find one of these rare ones, it will cost a few more bucks than a common working guy or gal really cares to invest. Other more common K98k rifle types on the surplus market are different versions of the Arctic, Czechoslovakian post-war made K98k rifles with a winter trigger guard and the Israeli 1952 FN Belgian made, NATO K98k with the IDF Crest. From what I observe, these seem to be the more common surplus market K98ks currently found at gun shows.

 

DISCLAIMER: what I'm about to say should not be construed as the bible, they are just my observations that may be right or wrong on the different attributes used to help identify different kinds of K98k rifles I have encountered over the years, some I own, others I was never lucky enough to find or could buy. The comments are just my personal take on the most obvious traits that help identify the more common surplus K98ks found at gun shows. All observations are subject to correction by expert collectors that own more examples and can provide better details.

 

What follows is my memory about some of these rifle’s attributes, some notes, and some photos of the above K98k surplus rifles. Consider this write up as a sort of review that is subject to correction by the more experienced collectors. Some pictures are mine, some from the old SRF posts with lost sources, others from a web search. If I know or remember the source I will list the source. Others are grabbed off the net. Most photos are of my rifles and I tried to stay with my photos, but some of the others are just too nice not to post and I give credit to these many great photos - both lost and known sources . I have also provided some links to web pages that have some great information especially on specific K98k examples I never owned or could find at gun shows in the last 35 years. Three places with fantastic reference libraries are the K98 forum, milsurps forum, and libertytreecollectors library.  These would help anyone with a rifle to identify its type. 

Please realize the prices mentioned by people in these old posts are from days past and in US dollars. Furthermore, a good number of the US sellers and US companies are long gone.  This post provides a historical perspective, it is not a post to read for the location or place to buy a firearm. This post provided the attributes and photo documentation in order to identify a particular type of K98 commonly found in the US surplus market around 2000.  This post's present value is in the verbal and photographic description of each rifle's attributes for identification.  In todays market in the US, it is currently rather rare to find K98 for sale at gun shows. The export sources overseas have dried up and vanished starting around 2017. The second golden age of surplus rifle is gone.  The political climate, and deposition of surplus rifles has changed.  In the US, most surplus firearms have tripled in value or more and are now generally found at rather specialized, well know auction houses or a few firearm's dealers.  Most firearm parts companies do not sell parts outside the US. In the US, the firearms are not deactivated, although some are non shootable drill rifles, or replica pellet or BB gun conversions. 

 

A short review of what is a kriegsmodell?

see http://www.latewar.com/html/kriegsmodell.htm

https://web.archive.org/web/20190125225411/http://www.latewar.com/html/kriegsmodel.htm

From the above but lacks the great pics: so see the link.

 

This is a Quote

"Many people have asked the question "What is a Kriegsmodell?". Well, the answer is easy. The term Kriegsmodell is what the Germans used to define the simplified version of the standard 98k, or literally translated as "War Model". Many of the features of Kriegsmodell rifles were simply shortcuts instituted by the German armaments industry to speed up production of rifles at a time when quantities of guns were needed- not quality. Many of these changes were instituted in late 1944 (Nov.-Dec.) and were almost in full effect by January of 1945.

All manufacturers went to simplified versions to one degree or another, but the 2 most common terms thrown about are "Full Kriegsmodell" and "Semi Kriegsmodell". These terms are modern descriptions for collectors. A "Full Kriegsmodell" will have no bolt disassembly disc in the buttstock, a hole drilled in the buttplate to aid in disassembly, no band spring for the front and rear bands, no bayonet lug, and both bands will be held to the stock with screws. The only manufacturers to completely switch to the "Full Kriegsmodell" style were bnz and byf/svw. The others never fully switched over, and are known as "Semi Kriegsmodell".

A "Semi Kriegmodell" will have a mix of features, such as no bayonet lug or band spring, screws holding the front and rear band, but still have the standard buttstock with bolt disassembly disc- this style is found on dou and dot/swp marked rifles. On some bcd rifles, the stock will not have a disassembly disc, have a hole drilled in the buttplate, but still have the bayonet lug and bands held by a band spring- BCD never finished switching over, and 45 dated rifles will be found in regular configuration earlier in the 5 digit serial ranges.

Some other features of Kriegsmodell rifles are phosphate finishes, less serial numbered parts, rough metal finish, and trigger guards that lack the small locking screw provision."

END OF QUOTE

Photo shot from the above source a must read on the  original source: For nice clear photos see:

https://web.archive.org/web/20190125225411/http://www.latewar.com/html/kriegsmodel.htm

 

More general K98 background information is found here:

Oxford's info on K98s , see pdf. He does not list what book this came from in this lower Quote???

QUOTE

"Numbers of East German and Czech refurbished Karabiner 98ks were exported to the West in the late 1980s and early 1990s and are now in the hands of collectors.”

END OF QUOTE

 Use this link for Oxford information about K98k rifles:

http://www.2ndgebirgsjager.com/uploads/2/9/0/1/2901957/w_k98.pdf

Some Post War K98k information from the above excellent link ( lots of good info. in the above link and photos):

 

 Oxford QUOTE

"Post-World War II

During World War II, the Soviet Union captured millions of Mauser Karabiner 98k rifles and re-furbished them in various arms factories in the late 1940s and early 1950s. These rifles were originally stored in the event of future hostilities with the Western Bloc. These rifles, referred to by collectors as RC ("Russian Capture") Mausers, can be identified by a crude "X" stamp on the left side of the receiver, the dull, thick reblueing and mismatched parts and electro-pencil serial numbers on smaller parts. The Soviet arsenals made no effort to match the rifle's original parts by serial number when reassembling them, and some parts (the cleaning rod, sight hood, and locking screws) were deemed unnecessary and melted down for scrap metal.

Most of these rifles were eventually shipped to communist or Marxist revolutionary movements and nations around the world during the early Cold War period. A steady supply of free surplus military firearms was one way that Moscow could support these movements and states without giving them the latest Soviet infantry weapons.

One example of the Soviet Union providing the Mauser Karabiner 98k rifle (as well as other infantry weapons captured from the Germans during and after World War II) to its communist allies during the Cold War period occurred during the Vietnam War with the Soviet Union providing military aid to the armed forces of North Vietnam and to the NLF in South Vietnam.

A considerable number of Soviet-captured Mauser Karabiner 98k rifles (as well as a number of Karabiner 98k rifles that were left behind by the French after the First Indochina War) were found in the hands of NLF (Vietcong) guerrillas and VPA (NVA) soldiers by U.S. and Allied forces alongside Soviet-bloc rifles like the Mosin-Nagant, the SKS, and the AK-47.

In the years after World War II, a number of European nations on both

sides of the Iron Curtain that were invaded and occupied by Nazi

Germany used the Mauser Karabiner 98k rifle as their standard-issue

infantry rifle, due to the large number of German weapons that were

left behind by the Germans at the end of World War II. Nations like

France and Norway used the Mauser Karabiner 98k rifle and a number

of other German weapons in the years after World War II. Norway's

captured Karabiner 98k rifles were soon superseded as a standard issue

weapon by the US M1 Garand, but remained in service as Norwegian

Home Guard weapons until at least the 1970s, in which role they were

rebarreled for the Garand's .30-06 Springfield round, with a small

cutout in the receiver so that the slightly longer US round could still be

loaded with stripper clips. These Norwegian conversions had a section of the receiver flattened on the upper left side, where a new serial number (with a prefix denoting the branch of service) was stamped. Some of these rifles conversions were rechambered again to 7.62 mm NATO, but this program was canceled with only a few thousand converted when Norway adopted the AG-3 (H&K G3) as a replacement for both the Garand and the K98k. Some actions from Mauser Karabiner 98k left by German armed forces in 1945 were used by Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk (currently Kongsberg Small Arms) for building both military and civilian sniper/target rifles under the Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk Skarpskyttergevær M59 - Mauser M59 and Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk Skarpskyttergevær M67 - Mauser M67 designations. These rifles were used by the Norwegian armed forces up to the 2000s.

Schultz & Larsen of Denmark also made target rifle conversions of captured Kar 98ks. Early versions, the M52 and M58, used shortened and refurbished Kar 98k stocks. Later versions had new target stocks fitted and were available in .30-06, 6.5x55mm and 7.62 mm NATO, and generally resemble the Kongsberg M59, except there was no upper handguard or cleaning rod. The actions had the German markings removed, were refinished in grey phosphate, and new serial numbers and proof marks applied.

The emblem of Nazi Germany, eagle with swastika, is still visible on many of the rifles that were used by the Norwegian military. The "FLY" prefix to the serial number denotes that this rifle was issued to the Flyvåpenet (Air Force).

Karabiner 98k

Many of the liberated European countries continued production of rifles similar to the Karabiner 98k, for example Fabrique Nationale (FN) in Belgium and Česká Zbrojovka (CZ) in Czechoslovakia produced both their proprietary older models and brand new Karabiner 98k rifles, many of which were assembled from leftover German parts or using captured machinery. Both FN and CZ utilized a modified Kriegsmodell design, with the cleaning rod and stock disk still omitted, but the bayonet lug restored. In Czechoslovakia it was known as P-18 or puška vz.98N, the first being the manufacturer's cover designation of the type, the second official army designation - rifle model 98, N for německá - German. In Romania, the Czechoslovak version was known under the informal name of ZB, after Zbrojovka Brno - the Czechoslovak state producer of small weapons and munitions - and it was used to arm Romania's Patriotic Guards, before sufficient numbers of Soviet AKM rifles were made available for them.

Former German Karabiner 98ks were widely distributed throughout the Eastern Bloc, some being refurbished 2 or 3 times by different factories. They were used by military and para-military forces (such as the East German Workers and Soldiers Militias), and were replaced by Soviet weapons in the 1960s. East German refurbished Karabiner 98ks featured Russian-style thicker blue finish, a 'sunburst' proof mark and sometimes had the factory designation '1001' applied, which was the factory where the refurbishment was carried out. Numbers were re-stamped to match the receiver and old numbers barred out. Numbers of East German and Czech refurbished Karabiner 98ks were exported to the West in the late 1980s and early 1990s and are now in the hands of collectors. Russian Capture Karabiner 98ks were exported to the West in large numbers in the early- and mid- 2000s.

From 1950 to 1965, Yugoslavian Zastava also produced a near-copy of the Karabiner 98k called the Model 1948, which differed from the German rifle in that it had the shorter bolt-action of the Yugoslav M1924 series of rifles (not to be confused with the widely-distributed Czech Vz 24 which had a standard length action). Zastava also refurbished numbers of German Karabiner 98k rifles. These are readily identifiable as the German factory code markings have been scrubbed from the receiver and replaced with the Yugoslav communist crest. The M48 and refurbished Kar 98ks were still being used in the Balkan wars of the 1990s.

In addition, until 1953, the Spanish continued manufacturing a slightly modified version, but with a straight bolt handle and minor furniture differences.

Post-war production was a stop-gap solution until enough numbers of modern automatic rifles could be developed and produced. The vast majority of these rifles were soon stored as reserve weapons or given for very low prices to various fledgling states or rebel movements throughout the developing world.

Israeli Mauser

A number of non-European nations used the Mauser Karabiner 98k rifle as well as a few guerrilla organizations to help establish new nation-states. One example was Israel who used the Mauser Karabiner 98k rifle from the late 1940s until the 1970s.

The use of the Karabiner 98k to establish the nation-state of Israel often raises a lot of interest among people and rifle collectors today. Many Jewish organizations in Palestine acquired them from post-World War II Europe to protect various Jewish settlements from Arab attack as well as to carry out guerrilla operations against British Army

East German members of a Combat Group of the Working Class and Border Troops at the border of the Berlin sector in 1961. The Combat Group members are equipped with Karabiner 98ks.

The Haganah, which later evolved into the modern-day Israel Defense Forces, was one of the Jewish armed groups in Palestine that brought large numbers of Mauser Karabiner 98k rifles and other surplus arms (namely the British Lee-Enfield bolt-action rifle, which was used on a large scale by these organisations alongside the Karabiner 98k rifle) from Europe during the post-World War 2 period. Many, though not all, Israeli-used German surplus Mauser Karabiner 98k rifles have had all of the Nazi Waffenamt markings and emblems defaced with over stamped Israel Defence Force (IDF) and Hebrew markings as part of an effort to ideologically "purify" the rifles from their former use as an infantry weapon of Nazi Germany.

As the Arab-Israeli conflict approached, the Haganah and other Jewish forces in Palestine tried to get hold of as many weapons as they could in the face of an arms embargo by British colonial authorities. One of most important purchases was a secret January 14 1948, $12,280,000 worth contract with Czechoslovak Government including 4,500 P-18 rifles, as well as 50,400,000 rounds of ammunition. Later, the newly established Israel Defence Force ordered more numbers of Mauser Karabiner 98k rifles, produced this time by Fabrique Nationale. These have Israeli and Belgian markings on the rifle as well as the emblem of the IDF on the top of the rifle's receiver. The FN-made Karabiner 98k rifles with the IDF markings and emblem on the rifle were produced and sold "legally" to Israel after it established itself as an independent nation in 1948. The Israeli Karabiner 98k utilized the same bayonet design as in German service, with a barrel ring added. The Israeli bayonets were a mix of converted German production and domestically produced examples.

During the late 1950s, the IDF converted the calibre of their Mauser Karabiner 98k rifles from the original German 7.92 mm round to 7.62 mm NATO following the adoption of the FN FAL rifle as their primary rifle in 1958. The Israeli Mauser Karabiner 98k rifles that were converted have "7.62" engraved on the rifle receiver. Rifles with original German stocks have "7.62" burned into the heel of the rifle stock for identification and to separate the 7.62 NATO rifles from the original 7.92 mm versions of the weapon still in service or held in reserve. Some Karabiner 98k rifles were fitted with new, unnumbered beech stocks of recent manufacture, while others retained their original furniture. All of these converted rifles were proof-fired for service.

The Karabiner 98k rifle was used by the reserve branches of the IDF well into the 1960s and 1970s and saw action in the hands of various support and line-of-communications troops during the 1967 Six-Day War and the 1973 Arab-Israeli War. After the rifle was retired from reserve military service, the Israeli Mauser Karabiner 98k was given to a number of Third World nations as military aid by the Israelis during the 1970s and 1980's, and sold as ex-military surplus on the open market."

END OF QUOTE

 

 

Military Surplus Collectors Forum Knowledge Library.

https://www.milsurps.com/content.php?r=115-australia

It has come to my attention that Military Surplus Collectors Forum has a limit of how many times you can see their Knowledge Library. Unfortunately, The many fine SRF reference stickys are lost. Hence, I used MSCF. So under the links in this post marked "https://milsurps.com/content php..." you may see

the message "It appears you've exceeded the maximum number of posts and/or Knowledge Library articles you can view as an unregistered guest on our forums..."

Then you have to do a direct goggle search using the title which I am adding. MSCF Knowledge Library is fantastic, just that they do not like to share it too much.

It is well worth the search for these few links, if you have also used up all your access possibilities you just become a member to relog in. I will add the title of each link for their great info in RED so you can do a direct goggle search and see the info. Most non members can view these for a unspecific number of views. You just have to do a search on your computer and not use the link I provided if it becomes inactive again. Sorry.

Ok. as of 1 Feb 18 links work and the title of the Badger article and photos references from the Milsurp Knowledge library are placed in RED so the reader can do their own goggle search and gain access to this fine Library. These are the only references that I linked too that have limited access.

I have added the primary body of information from MSCF as a QUOTE because the older computers like a 2003 Mac will not be able to read the link. Pictures do not appear (there are 50-70 per post) as well as other neat use full information the Library provides. This way all readers can view their main comments. I hope this helps.

 

 

[Kenny Andrew]

sounds good USMC , also if you want any old posts deleted just let me know and I can remove them.

[72 usmc]

(RC) the Russian Capture K98k

My RC photo 1 from Classic Arms Inc (Original owner) Not Present Company

 

A nice set of photos of an RC for review see

 By Duce  RC k98 Mauser (pic heavy)

https://web.archive.org/web/20160602021957/http://m14forum.com/foreign/178616-rc-k98-mauser-pic-heavy.html

 

I have three Russian  Capture (RC), K98k examples. All have import marks on the barrel, they are not the later ones with an import mark and new SN that was placed as a billboard on the receiver. I remember the first K98k RC showing up at gun shows around 2008/2009. One of mine came from the old Classic Arms when they sold the RC K98ks individually. Classic had pictures and a detailed description of each individual rifle they sold. These were all choice, select, RC specimens sold in 2007-2008. At that time, they added a very nice reproduction cleaning rod and capture screws to their rifles. The Century RC K98Ks were sold around 2007. They came without the sling, cleaning rod, capture screws, and sight hood. Many purchased the original Norwegian cleaning rods, sight hoods, and slings sold by Steward’s Military Antiques to add to their RC

.

 

The Russian Capture K98k had a rough history in which the captured German rifle went through a Russian rebuild program that created a mix master, like new K98k without the consideration for maintaining any of the correct parts originally found on the rifle. Germans numbered or coded almost each part on the K98k. This attention to detail was not maintained by Ivan. A Russian Capture K98k is best identified by its uncharacteristic, non German, blue-black on the metal; a reddish brown shellac on the stock that was also slopped onto the metal parts; a total mix of serial numbers on the parts; and an electro, hand written, force matched serial number on the top of a blued-black bolt that matches the original German SN on the RC’s receiver.

 

 

Insert rc stock color 5

In addition, there will be a deeply stamped, horizontally placed, Russian serial number that is a force match to the original German receiver’s SN that is stamped on the left side of the stock between the butt plate and stock washer.

 

On an RC K98k, the receiver and barrel match (original German SN), as well as the rear sight base and front sight. Ivan took all the depot stockpiled, wet, rusted, and deteriorated K98k rifles through a total rebuild program. Each rifle was totally disassembled except the receiver/barrel group; parts cleaned, inspected, and hot dipped, a dull blued black. The assortment of newly blued functional parts were then put into barrels. Stocks were likewise inspected, cleaned, and stockpiled. Ivan then rebuilt the K98k with the parts pulled out of these barrels. They simply started with what ever barrel group and stock that was next in the pile.

 

No effort was made by the Russians to maintain correctly coded, dated, or serial numbered parts to the receiver/barrel group. A Russian Capture K98k is a total mix master of German codes, serial numbers, as well as early or late war K98 attributes. You will see a mix of early hardwood stocks on late war receivers or late laminated stocks on early war receivers. You may have a mix of early milled parts and late stamped parts on the same rifle. The RC receiver will have a Russian crossed rifle trademark that looks like a large X. This is stamped on the top or left side of the receiver.

insert x on rc receiver 9

 

After the rifle was assembled, it was electropenciled by placing the forced matching SN of the rebuilt rifle’s original receiver on the top center of the black-blued bolt.

i

Then the remaining other original stamped German serial numbers on the bolt stem and the other small bolt parts were lined out with an electro pen.

On an RC Mauser, the original stamped SNs are not stamped out, instead they are electropenciled out with a scribed line. After the original German stamped SNs were lined out, the Soviets placed the receiver’s two or three digit SN number by electro writing them on the bolt stem, safety lever, cocking piece, and bolt sleeve in order to force match the smaller bolt parts to the Soviet forced matched bolt. The RC bolt is in the black and has a large, hand written SN on its top-this is a very distinct RC trait. It can appear neatly written or be very sloppy depending on the penmanship of the rebuilder.

insert bolt with electro number photo 13

 

Finally, the completed, newly rebuilt and headspaced K98k’s stock and hand guard were painted with shellac. After drying, a sander was used to make a flat spot on the left side of the stock between the take down washer and butt plate. This leaves an obvious lighter, sanded mark on the left side of an RC stock. It was not restrained. On this flat spot, the Soviet force matched serial number that is also found electro written on the bolt’s top (which is the same German stamped SN found on the rebuilt RC’s receiver) is deeply and boldly stamped, horizontally or parallel to the barrel at this location on the left side of the stock. Original K98k rifles do not have a SN stamped at this location on the stock. While all of these Russian RC traits are observed, caution must be used. Now, as soon as I tell you the above traits are commonly found on a Russian Capture (RC Mauser), I would be dishonest.

 

RC  stock sanded for # 15

The RC K98k rifles come in many shapes and forms with all sort of traits/attributes missing or added---generally no two are the same. There is every variation possible, but the more incomplete the Russian Capture Mauser specimen is; meaning the less Russian modifications seen on an RC, the more rare and hard to find it is- and consequently, the more valuable the specimen is. Most Russian Capture Mausers share similar traits, but Ivan got lazy or separate rebuild facilities did things differently. There are lots of observed variations.

bolt with out serial number

Most RC K98k rifles will be missing the capture screws, sight hood, and cleaning rod. Now Classic added reproductions of these items to the K98k’s they sold around 2008-2010.

None came with sling kits or bayonets. Some will have matching parts as if Ivan found these parts so new, he or she did not bother to take it down. Basically it was easier to keep the rifle together during the rebuild rather than run around the factory for parts. Some will have thick, flaking shellac, some a very thin wash of shellac, others lack shellac. Some will retain their correct early or late war features. Most will not. I have some lacking the electro written number on the bolt, I have some lacking the electro scribed line-out through the stamped original German SNs found on the small parts. However, I have never observed an RC lacking the Soviet force matched SN on the left side of the stock. The stock’s restamped, large, deeply set SN is always present even on stocks that retain other German cartouches. I have a normal K98 action in a exsniper stock. It is marked on the left side with the SN. On some rifles the German Waffenampts and dirty bird Swastikas are peened out, on others they remain intact on the rifle-it’s about 50-50. These defacings of the German markings are neatly and carefully done with a single, rounded punch or an elongated, bar-like punch.

insert photo bar stamp 19

insert round dot RC photo 20

Ball peens on RC k98 photo 22

 

Generally the Swastika is hit and the punch mark appears as a dot. This produces a nicely done single ping to remove the swastika leaving a stamped dot. Some dirty birds are hit with two or three bar shaped punch marks over the body and wings in order to cancel out the German eagle. More than a few are missing the trade mark “crossed rifle” large X found on RC receivers. I have never seen an example with two X marks on a receiver. However, some X marks are located/stamped on the side, while others are found on the top of the receiver. Some Xs are clearly stamped, others poorly stamped and can appear as a “V”. On a few rifles, if you got a lucky specimen, almost all of the German serial numbers on the small parts remain intact on each part--not one is lined out. They are true mix masters, yet all the stamped numbers remain intact and unscribed. On these odd versions, sometimes only the bolt is electro penciled with a line out or two showing on only a few of the other bolt parts.

insert" X " RC mark photos

Arms list screen shot of Large X RC 26

 

On an RC the butt plate, floor plate, stock washed, cross bolt, and the bolt & its bolt parts are reblued with a deep hot dip, RC black-blue. In contrast, on some rifles these parts are left in the bright and were not subjected to reblue. No new Russian made barrels are found on RC K98k rifles, although more than some barrels are found to be counter bored. Rifle barrels range from new to poor. Muzzle wear can vary dramatically. Most are in decent condition, the sewer pipe bores were tossed out by the Russians. I have not found an RC that did not pass a FIELD headspace gauge test. They appear to be rebuilt-like-new rifles utilizing the old parts. No new Russian made parts seem to be found on these rifles, they are refurbished utilizing reused German parts.

 

The barrel & receiver are German originals. Generally the receiver SN and barrel SN match. I have not seen a miss matched RC receiver and barreled action. I think if one or the other was damaged it went into the melt pot; likewise, damaged stocks most likely went into the factory furnace to heat the building. I have not seen cracked stock RC mausers at gun shows. While most redone rifles have incorrect stocks, they are generally in good condition except for the heavily applied, flaking shellac. Some stocks can exhibit small wood repairs. On some RC examples, I have seen rusted actions that were poorly cleaned then reblued over the rust pits. Likewise, I have seen heavily worn or sanded metal receivers or bolts that were poorly reblued. Some receivers are so worn down that the German receiver code is hard to read. Other specimens look brand new.

 

A common problem encountered at shows nowadays are Russian Capture K98k rifles that have been modified to look more “German”. This is done by the previous owner. The stock was refinished, the bolt polished bright, and the many line outs polished out and reblued. The Soviet electro written # is removed from the freshly polished bolt. Some even have all the metal reblued more like an original K98k. These look really nice. Reenactors and collectors added original cleaning rods, sight hoods, capture screws as well as original slings. Some add cheep reproduction slings or cleaning rods that you can identify a mile away. One thing that costs big cash is a switch of the RC incorrect, reddish brown, stock to an original German stock with a correct finish in order to get rid of the give-away trait of the Russian horizontally stamped, force matched, serial number on the RC K98k specimen. Germans only put the serial number under the butt or inside the barrel channel on original K98k rifles.

 

So in conclusion, Russian capture K98k rifles can be recognized by their shellac-finished, reddish brown stock with its Soviet forced matched serial number on the left side. The rifle is a mix master of early and late war attributes--(stamped vs milled), and generally an incorrect stock for the coded & dated receiver. The metal parts are unlike a German blue or phosphate finish. The RC metal has a hot dip, dull, black-blued finish with electropencil numbers on the bolt parts and magazine floorplate, electropenciled line outs are present through the stamped serial numbers on the smaller parts, and all parts commonly have a different stamped SN. It is rare to find an RC with its small parts matching, but such examples are found. The receiver should have, (but not always) a Russian crossed rifle X and the bolt is in the black with the forced matched electro written SN on its top. Sometimes the dirty birds can be intact, other times pinged out. The Russian capture specimen is a total mix master of serial numbers as well as late war and early war parts and stocks. They make great shooters. Some hate them others love them. I like to keep mine in their post-war “Russian” state.

 

Here is an interesting discussion at Gunboards

“Russian Capture K98 Value (out of date) and  Should I Restore Question”

see: https://www.gunboards.com/threads/russian-capture-k98-value-and-restore-question.564129/

 

Below is one of my Classic Arms imported Russian captures with a Star on the stock. .  

 

Russian Captures and the urge to modify.

 

I stumbled upon an old gun boards post that I really like; I could not have said it better. This discussion has to do with Russian Captures and the urge to modify them & written by Gunboard's member Fritz. There is a whole lot of wisdom here.

https://www.gunboards.com/threads/what-is-this-stuff-on-the-metal-parts-of-my-k98-and-should-i-remove-it.1049139/

This is found in: What is this stuff on the metal parts of my K98, and should I remove it?

QUOTE

“The argument for leaving it on is as follows:

It is a part of the history of the gun: Removing it is no different than removing shellac finish from a 1939 K31 that was refurbished in 1951 (and so marked) and then applying a linseed-wax finish correct for 1939. It is no longer correct as it left service, it has been restored to an earlier configuration. A knowledgeable collector will know the rifle is no longer like the Russian packed it away after refurbishment. That which is done cannot be undone.

A lot of collectors cannot resist the urge to make their arms pretty. In a few decades the guns with the shellac will have added value for being in the last issued configuration. Similar to guys with unissued No4 MK II guns in the grease wrap. Many cannot resist the urge to unwrap and so now 15 years after imported, the ones still in the wrap are worth a 200 dollar premium (to some people) over a perfect rifle with the wrap removed.

Now some may find the above comparison silly, but consider the red shellac coated K98K rifle were set up for long term storage that way: the shellac-iodine mix was meant to preserve the wood in storage (prevent the wood drying out and mold).

Further just because today folks like rifles that look a certain way does not mean that will be the case 25 years from now. In 1965 sporting old military rifles was the thing to do: By 1985 collectors look on them as "butchered" guns, despite the fact many of them are very nicely done. But fashion changes and arms that were sported along the lines of what was considered modern in 1965 seem very dated today in a time when plastic stocks with stainless metal and a scope are the norm.

Case in point: in 1995 SCW arms were pretty much ignored, now there is a small set of collectors who want them, and they want them as they left Spanish service. Today everyone want a K98K as it left German service and so many post war reworks are being humped back into that which approximates that condition. The time may come when the post-war Russian, Hungarian, east German, west German, middle eastern, Czech, Romanian and Yugo modified K98K rifles that saw use in the post war conflicts from 1945 to 2000 are seen a highly collectable in their last issued form.”

END OF QUOTE

My thoughts.

Yes, there are arguments for removing the shellac, but this post was specific to the argument for retaining same.

source of quote:

https://www.gunboards.com/threads/what-is-this-stuff-on-the-metal-parts-of-my-k98-and-should-i-remove-it.1049139/

 

—————-

Worst Example of a Russian Capture K98k

 

Here is the worst example of a Russian Capture K98 I have seen. It's source is from" Fine Old Guns".  The auction listing has been removed and is not active.  Picture are preserved here. The Description and the many fine pictures are theirs. Notice, no line outs to the original German serial numbers.  This rifle is a good example of the electro pencil gone crazy. Ivan was in a real hurry with that electro pencil!  It’s a real mess.

 

QUOTE

“WW2 GERMAN KAR98K 8MM MAUSER RIFLE (DUV 1944) (FROM THE HART COLLECTION!) Serial number 97642 on the action and electric penciled on the bolt. This rifle was made by the Berliner-Lübecker Maschinenfabrik, Lubeck plant in 1944 as indicated by the duv 44 on the receiver ring. Other then the force matched bole, other numbers are mismatched as this is a rifle captured by the Russians and eventually arsenal overhauled and placed into storage until sold off on the surplus market in the1990s. This has an “X” stamped above the serial number, but the waffenamt eagles are not defaced. Excellent bore and mechanics. About 99% of the arsenal blue refinish remains. The stock is in excellent condition but uglier than the inside of a communist prison with a coat of excrement brown varnish or shellac, but the German walnut hiding underneath can be freed with a simple treatment of paint removed and a quick coat of oil finish. When this is done, it will be an excellent example of the primary German WW2 battle rifle, and quite likely one that some poor German conscript carried into the dismal weather of the Eastern Front before it ended up in the hands of the Russian hordes.”

END OF QUOTE

insert FOG pics 35  36

 

 

—————————-

 

Vietnam Russian Capture K98k rifles "RC" bring backs. The source is Calguns.net-Saigon1965

This is an Interesting older post on possible Russian Captures. The source is Ricigliano, What do you think of this "Russian Capture" K98   The reply post is authored by Saiagon 1965.

https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1351807

https://web.archive.org/web/20170712034923/http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1351807

 

RC K98k”s that are bring backs from Nam. Please see above link. All pictures are from Saigon1965’s post.

QUOTE

“For what it's worth - None of my 3 RC that came back from Vietnam are X'ed out "

END OF QUOTE

Saigon1965 photos 37, 38, 39

Better pictures and a must see link of the same rifles by Saigon1965's K98k bring back RCs see this lower link:

https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1351807

 

Actually after looking at the so called RCs from Nam, I am really not convinced that these are RUSSIAN CAPTURES . In the second link there are more close up photos that provide a few hints as to a possible source. We do not have close ups of the bolt numbers, bands, nor the serial # inside of the wood. I cannot see the total top of the bolts, nor any serial numbers on the bolts-information about the bolt is critical to help provide evidence as to the three rifles source. I see no X mark on the barrel or receiver and the author states it is missing on all three rifles. I cannot see evidence of the stock having the typical RC serial number deeply stamped on the left side of the stock. It does appear that two have a 3 digit number ??? (hard to see, the pics do not enlarge on my computer) stamped on the stocks and this is the best attributable evidence for their RC nature. What I do see are capture screws and miss matched floor plates. What I do not see are electro penciled markings on the bolt or any of the other visible smaller parts, nor do I see scribed electro penciled line outs to any of the existing serial numbers. Granted it would provide more conclusive evidence if we had views of the bands and bolts and if we knew whether the bolts that apparently have no electropenciled serial number are matching to the rifle or if they are matching to themselves. We also are lacking information on the degree of matching parts on these three rifles. Two have what appear to be a darker stock and a darker blue as seen on RCs, but the other does not. No attribute information is presented on why the author thinks these are Russian Captures rather than French Capture or possible Bulgarian/Romanian Captures. Consequently, we have no evidence in the form of written descriptive or pictorial attributes that might provide the probable source as these three K98ks. After thinking about the Nam RC post by Saigon 1965 and looking at his photos in both links; I really see NO clear photographic evidence that these three rifles are Russian Captures.

 

The most common Russian Capture attributes are not present on these examples. I see no elcetro written numbers or line outs, the bolt has no electro, rewritten, force matched serial # and locking screws are still present. I do not know if all the metal parts are mixed. Are these rifles mix masters, or almost all matching? This is the evidence I do see. I see a possible RC black and stock color and an odd, faintly stamped 3 digit serial number on the left side of two stocks which I can hardly see and cannot tell if it matches a serial number on the rifle's receiver. I wish we knew if these are true mix masters RC rifles. If these rifles are almost all matching except for the bolt and maybe a few (1 or 2 of the other parts) like the floor plate; and given the blue is really not a true typical Russian black (I cannot tell from the photos) and only two of the stocks have a kind of Russian dark color, I am thinking these may be FRENCH CAPTURES rather Russian, but more likely Bulgarian.

 

My French capture/French re-work is all matching except the bolt. I have only seen a few at gun shows. My French K98k has a stamped line out on one small part: the bolt release. Its stock is a similar dark color as seen in two of the Nam examples. However, I do not know about or have knowledge of the Legion's use of French K98ks. Did all of the early use K98ks have a French Capture altered stock with the U shaped cut and French sling bar as seen on most French, more recent import marked K98s seen at gun shows? Some French captures also may or may not have a hex shaped stacking rod and a French star stamped on the receiver. See the next post reviewing a French capture's attributes.

 

Did the late 1940s or early 1950s French Legion K98ks always have the French sling cut in the stock? Did the French Foreign Legion use K98s in Nam? I though most had Mas 36s? I do not know? What I see are three stocks missing the most obvious trait of a French Capture - The French modification to the German K98 for their French Berthier/Mas 36 wide sling by cutting a U shaped sling groove and adding a French sling bar behind the German take down washed. So if all French capture K98s always had the stock modifications, then they cannot be French Captures. No real attributes suggest French Captures that I have observed. Does any one have knowledge of the early use of French Captured K98s ? What did these K98s look like? Are they the same (have the same attributes) as the ones seen at gun shows?

 

From the above thoughts, I am leaning more to a Bulgarian/Romanian source for the Saigon1965 rifles. The examples seem to be more matching and lacking Russian RC and French Capture/re-work traits. They have more of a flavor of a like new, Bulgarian Capture rifle, not like the beat , poor condition of ones seen at current gun shows. BUT, and this is a huge BUT,         Why are all the Nazi marks intact? The latest Balkan/Romanian Captures have the most common key attribute: this is the fact that all the dirty birds and most Nazi markings are pinged--- and I mean, really pinged out. They really wanted to destroy all those dirty birds and other Nazi stampings on the K98. These Nam examples have all markings intact? So what are these rifles that Saigon 1965 posted ?

Anyone got ideas?

Are they odd RCs? I guess only more data on these rifle- the nature of the bolt and parts, are they mix masters or mostly matching, do the faint stock #s match the receiver? Why are there 3 digit numbers on the stock? the stock stamped numbers are the best attribute suggesting a RC origin.

 

I'd suggest these could be almost new K98s when captured and were only checked by Ivan at the rebuild factory since they were almost brand new not needing repair, Ivan just cleaned, then Xed, and wrote a serial number on the top of the bolt and stamped it also on the left side of the stock? No shellac or light shellac over an original matching stock.  The German cartouches are intact. These are a mostly matching K98k RC. I have seen two RCs like this, but why the missing x, and electro pencil on the bolt?  Very odd specimens.

————-

RC Russian Capture K98k lacking the X (Libertytreecollectors)

code 243 Mauser- Borsigwalde 1940.

Here is an RC (Russian Capture) K98k lacking the X and has no import mark that sold at Libertytreecollectors ASAP for $595 on March 2019. I am not sure if this its one of Classics' recent redos that was cleaned up by removal of the X, import mark, and the RC serial number on the bolt. Or, if it’s an oddball RC. This one has no fake Nazi cartouches and I can see no evidence of an R GUNS import mark removed at the right side of the sight base. I cannot see the barrel close enough to say if an import mark was removed from it. Was the barrel polished showing no evidence of dings and scratches and then subjected to a reblue??? There is also no re-stamp of matching numbers, it looks like an RC. Only close inspection of the barrel's outside surface would provide evidence of tampering/modification. Not all of the Classic Arms dogs got fake stock cartouches, but they did get re-stamped matching numbers. Maybe ( I really do not think so ). This is what I call a MITCHCLASSISC ( ya, I made this term up):

The MITCHCLASSIC has arrived!         QUOTE  from my older lost post of 15 Ap 2016

“An observation: in 2016 Classic was selling actual unmodified RCs with the typical RC attributes.These had an R-Guns import mark on the left side under the rear sight base- this was a very small mark. Some time in 2017 the Mitchell like modified RC's, (that I will call the "Mitchclassics"), began to show up. These are actually better than a Mitchell Mauser because all the RC traits are removed. On a “Mitchclassic", they( we do not know who) removed quite expertly some specific attributes that Mitchell Mausers generally left in place- mostly all RC traits are gone . This entailed not leaving an X that Mitchell turned into an asterisk, leaving the stock a nice dark color, removing the stock's RC stamped serial number, and removing the R-Guns tiny import mark.Other than that, they have restamped numbers that match and added fake cartouches like a Mitchell Mauser redo, but do not have that new look like a Mitchell Mauser K98k. They ( Mitchclassic's) are perfect for a reenactor that wants a replica K98k. They no longer have to buy a Mitchell and age the stock, deal with the deeply stamped stock serial #, and polish off the Mitchell import mark on the barrel. Who ever rebuilds these K98s has hit the right market because Classic is selling them like hot cakes.”

Prices are sky high, but I think reenactors love these new replica/facsimile K98ks that I refer to as " Mitchclassic" rifles. No one knows who is actually doing the rebuilding.

But the work is really good. It is difficult to tell from photos where the markings have been removed. The re blue over the work matches. No grind marks appear visible. And the stock cartouches are the same as the Polish FAKE reproduction eBay stamps. I would like to actually see one of these rifles in person for an inspection.

END OF QUOTE

 

This link  to the Quote is gone because the forum down. The post (Something fishy in K98s) was save on the Wayback Machine and can still be viewed to see the many example photos of this form of modification done by Classic to its RC Mausers.

See  Something fishy in K98s   https://web.archive.org/web/20190203205929/http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2084

 

The Libertytreecollectors specimen was sold as soon as it was listed. Is it an RC that was modified, or one of the few that never got the X? It is odd the bolt serial number is gone or was never electro penciled. Maybe an RC that was only slightly altered by the previous owner? It is just to unique that Ivan forgot to X the receiver, electro pencil the bolt top and then the importer also missed marking an import mark on it? Also notice the stock serial number is not positioned like an RC.The serial number on the stock is not place horizontal with the barrel or perpendicular to the butt plate, rather, it is stamped like a Yugo Capture with the applied serial number on the stock positioned parallel to the butt plate. Maybe an early Yugo example lacking the Yugo crest. Is it a early 1946 Yugo rebuild of a K98 - that might explain a few traits/or the lack of the ones commonly found on Russian Captures.         However, these early captured Yugo, 1945-46 rebuilt K98ks had almost matching numbers. They just checked them for function & stamped the serial number on the stock. So this is indeed a strange rifle.

 

Libertytreecollectors is a top grade sellers and always provides great detailed pictures. However, the pictures go down soon after a sale, so I am posting their description and all of Libertytreecollector’s pictures as documentation of this excellent specimen of a probable altered Russian Capture k98k, Or a possible, but unlikely MITCHCLASSIC ?         

 

code 243 Mauser- Borsigwalde 1940.

QUOTE

"Libertytree collector source description.

Serial number #1759 This offering is for the pictured German K98 Mauser rifle. WW2 production and maker marked from arsenal code 243 Mauser- Borsigwalde 1940. Likely a Russian Captured (RC) during the war, or saw use in other Eastern block countries for post war service."

END OF QUOTE

“Miss matched serial numbers. Metal finish is a mix, mostly worn blue with silvering on the exposed edges, trigger guard area worn to gun metal gray. Reproduction cleaning rod and sight hood, mechanically appears fine.

Sound laminated stock set, lightly sanded, oil finish applied.

Chambered in 8mm Mauser the bore is brite with very good rifling. Not import marked.”

END OF QUOTE

 

These pictures are taken from Libertytreecollectors link that was  https://www.libertytreecollectors.com/p ... dcategory=

(14 Dec 2019 this source is no longer active, but this was former source of the information and photos that are preserved here.)

  Documentation of a fine example of a K98k. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The above example just goes to show RC values have climbed to around $600-650.

————————————-

 

 

1935 S/42G K98k 'Reconditioned' Rifle (Mfg by Mauser Werke AG, Oberndorf a/N)

By Badger in the MILSURP KNOWLEDGE LIBRARY, part six.

Goggle search title in red.

Original Milsurps page:

https://www.milsurps.com/content.php?r=237-1935-S-42G-K98k-Reconditioned-Rifle-(Mfg-by-Mauser-Werke-AG-Oberndorf-a-N)

 Archive:    https://web.archive.org/web/20220407024841/https://www.milsurps.com/content.php?r=237-1935-S-42G-K98k-Reconditioned-Rifle-(Mfg-by-Mauser-Werke-AG-Oberndorf-a-N)

 

 Quote  from the above source:

QUOTE of Part 6

“ 6. CAUTION: How do I tell if I have a rebuilt RC (Russian Capture) and not an original unaltered K98k?

Russian Capture K98k's all share similar traits. The are all WW2 era German Karabiners (though some are former Gew98's the Nazis had converted to K98k spec - rare though!). Most have matching receiver and barrel.

When the Russians came into these guns they stockpiled them and promptly began doing other more important things like rebuilding their cities, etc. Many RC rifles sat for month or even years exposed to the elements. By the late 1940's, many of these rifles were in an advanced state of deterioration, while some remained like new.

In true Russian style, a colossal public make-work project was undertaken. The ENTIRE inventory of German small arms then in Russian possession (roughly half the total wartime output of Nazi Germany's arms production) was ordered to undergo refurbishment and as many useable arms as possible to be made ready. Why? Russia was paranoid. The Cold War was freezing over and Russia feared invasion from the West. Also, it was a cheap source of arms they could export to allies in North Korea, Cuba, Vietnam, and every other wanna-be commi armpit of the world without depleting their "front line" weapons stockpiles.

The Russians took all their K98k's, and totally disassembled them except for the barrel. Bores were inspected and those found to be acceptable (ie, some pitting OK - so long as it's still safely shootable, much like with their refurbed Mosins) were set aside. Those that were deemed too far gone were recycled into steel for tractor parts or Order of Lennin medals, or whatever.

The small parts were all hot-dip reblued. Rusty parts were wire brushed or sandblasted first. These were placed indiscriminately in bins. The stocks were also inspected for serviceability. Those deemed acceptable were retained, those unacceptable were burned.

When the rifles were re-assembled no effort was made to match parts. A new (used) bolt was assembled and fitted to the receiver and the whole affair was assembled into a rifle from the binned parts. When done, most parts were electropencilled with the rifle's serial number and a flat was sanded on the left side of the wood stock (think big belt sander and half-drunk worker). The rifle's serial number was stamped there running parallel to the rifle's bore line. (Yugos are stamped perpendicular, for comparison)”

Once complete, the whole rifle was generally painted in cheap shellac as a preservative agent - these are often not cosmolened for some reason - crated up and sent to war reserve, especially in the frontier states like Ukraine (which stored them in underground "nuclear proof" depleted salt mines). Today, cash strapped former Soviet states are all too happy to sell these to us.

It's difficult to say what percentage of captured arms survived the rebuild programs, but I'd imagine maybe half (or less) would be a good guess. Many of these arms sat out in the open for LONG periods of time before being rebuilt, so attrition due to the elements was probably a factor.

It's also wrong to assume that RC's are, in fact, "captures". At any given moment, less than 2 million Nazi troops would have served on the Russian front. Not all would have had K98K's. Over 14 Million K98k's were built and most experts agree that somewhere around 7 million likely ended up in Russian hands after the war. Throughout the whole war, it's doubtful a full 7 million K98k's traveled to east Prussia and beyond.

When Nazi Germany surrendered to the Allies, the Whermacht assembled at depots all over Europe and turned in their arms. Additionally, government arms stockpiles and factories were captured and divied up by the victorious armies. At hostilities cessation, every Mauser weapon in the future East Germany (and all points east) would have become what we think of as an "RC K98k". Public ownership of guns in the USSR was banned as well. So whether a rifle was taken from a dead private in 1944 Minsk or if the NKVD knocked on a door in Berlin in 1947 and confiscated the arm from a retired volkspolitzei prison guard, it still ended up in the stocks of RC mausers. In fact, it's safe to say the MAJORITY of such guns are likely NOT battlefield captures. ...... (Feedback by “Claven2")

END OF QUOTE

 

[Kenny Andrew]

Hi USMC, you are doing a great job and it seems you have a lot of information to add. I would maybe do it a bit at a time, say work on one post with text and images then move onto another post when that is finished. It would make it easier I would think than trying to do one big post. You can make as many posts as you like there are no limits (unless you would rather do one big post, it's totally up to you) It's looking very good so far, the only thing I'm not keen on is the green text, it makes it quite hard to read, I think it would be better in just standard black text, as long as you keep the words "quote" above the text it I think that would be fine.

As you are putting a lot of work into this, I have decided to promote you to a moderator, this will allow you extra permissions such as being able to hide content.  You can use the moderator actions to hide a post this will also let you add a message to the hidden post that only moderators can see such as "Please delete this post" or "work in progress" I can then permanently delete the post or leave it until you have finished it. So basically you can work on a post and hide it until it's finished, which would also work as a  draft composition page. But please make sure to describe it, as I would hate to delete a post which you are still working on.       

[72 usmc]

 

Part 2 Examples  (RC) the Russian Capture K98k

 

Russian Capture, DOU, 1942, K98k

This is a view of a more recent import with an import mark on the receiver that is owned by Shann B  of SRF. Most of the early US imports have the import mark on the barrel where it is less obtrusive. Later around 2005 the import mark was moved to the receiver and some are so large  and nasty looking they are referred to as Bill Board Import marks.

 

A very interesting Russian Capture, DOU, 1942, K98k showed up on the forum and is owned by Shanne B. See his original post: http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/viewto ... 335#p27335 Note: this  source link is dead and gone. The author did not save his post to the Wayback  Machine Archive. The original photos by the owner are much better in clarity than mine shown here. Mine were reproduced from a paper print out of the lost post. 

 

This RC has the original German left side serial number scrubbed and re stamped at the top edge of the receiver. I do not believe this was done by the Russian referb., rather, and I may be wrong , but I think this was a German rebuilt/field repaired rifle and was stamped by the Germans prior to its capture. Anyone that has knowledge about K98s please comment on this thought and rifle. Has any one seen another example of such a scrubbed Russian Capture example? Has anyone seen a non RC, original condition German K98k that has such markings where the original receiver serial number was damaged or scrubbed then restamped at the top of the receiver?

 

I have observed many Russian Captures, but never an example where the original German serial number on the left side of the receiver was scrubbed and restamped on the top. This number is not electro written; it is stamped. It is stamped in a sloppy manner with may be different size fonts- it is difficult to tell from the photo. I am not referring to the new, white, dot matrix import serial number. I am talking about the restamped 7372 on the receiver. All RCs generally have two matching items: the barrel and the receiver- both numbers match. The Russians did not change barrels or replace barrels.

 

On the Russian capture specimen owned by Shanne B all parts are miss matched and force matched by electro written pencil or line outs like most Russian Captures. There is no German barrel serial number visible and the receiver German serial number has been scrubbed and re stamped on the top edge of the receiver's top. Serial number is 7372 and is electro penciled on the bolt top, bolt sleeve, and top of the safety lever. The Russians also electro penciled the serial number on the inside of the sight leaf, the center of the floor plate, and the left side of the front band. Electro penciled line outs are visible on the rear band and the front band. Here are views of the receiver and you can see where the original German serial number was removed.

 A view of a new serial number on the receiver added by the importer.

Shanne B photos restored Photos 56-69; all photos used with his permission.

 

 

 

--------

X  represents a serial number letter block, not an RC rebuild mark.

Something to watch for is an " X" on a receiver that is not a Russian Capture rebuild mark. It is an X block German Mauser serial code.

 

Nisky  Sat Mar20 2021  Post   dot 44. any info is much appreciated!

Here is an X on a dot 1944 K98k that is not an RC rebuild "X".  The owner is Nisky on Gunboards.

This small X is a serial number letter block. It is not a Russian Capture Mark. See this interesting post of a very nice intact K98k; the author posted excellent photos. Just think of the luck, to actually find such a nice specimen, well worth a review of the above link's photos. An intact K98k.

https://www.gunboards.com/threads/dot-44-any-info-is-much-appreciated.1186911/

Stan61's QUOTE:

“Looks like a nice one! The x-block was the second block of production for 1944 since they rolled over with the letter blocks from 1943 and starting with w-block in 44. Estimated to be Jan. 44”

END OF QUOTE

Source of the select photos are reposted from above link:

 

——————

 

DeutschesReich卐88 Russian Capture K98k 1944 BNZ

Next, is this RC, purchased by member DeutschesReich卐88 on Gunboards, but at a cost .... 2021 prices be crazy. I mean they really went up and the RC had 30 bids. The price is posted at the bottom. Some interesting comments still survive on Gunboards. See:

https://www.k98kforum.com/threads/russian-capture-k98-bnz-4-1-rune.48509/#post-360081
 

I would have loved to find one of these back in 2007 and paid $250. I guess its about as nice as an RC other than an exsniper for an RC find. No one messed with the stock finish or electro markings, they just added a few parts mostly reproductions... I noticed it’s an early one with the import mark on the barrel.  The gun broker auction information provided by seller was very well photo documented.  Unfortunately the gun broker photos have been removed due to an old listing. I did not save the photo group.  Agreat  loss of a fine example.  Here is the Gunbroker description in the listing:

QUOTE

Nazi KAR98K BNZ Waffen stamped 8mm w/Original Muzzle Cap & Sling

For auction today I have another fantastic collector Nazi firearm. This is an excellent condition German Nazi BNZ KAR 98K chambered in 8mm Mauser with original muzzle cap and sling. The gun is in great shape inside and out. All electro penciled numbers match. There are several examples of crisp and clear Waffen Nazi Stamps on the rifle. It is very clean internally and has a very nice, bright and shiny bore with very strong rifling. The stock is absolutely beautiful and the original bluing on the metal is early all retained. Don't miss your opportunity on this all original, Collector grade Nazi rifle!

END OF QUOTE

 This fine specimen broke the price barrier: This is nuts on correct $1700US dollars.

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BilgeRatMilitaria's  1939,  42 code K98k by Mauser Oberndorf

by BilgeRatMilitaria on SRF Fri Nov 19, 2021

Hey all! I'm new here and need some help with my K98. So, Based in it's '42' marking and it's 1939 date I know that it was made by Mauser, Obendorf in 1939. I also know that it's one of the Israel K98's that has been rechambered into 7.62x51. But what I'm trying to figure out is how it made it's way to Israel. It doesn't fit the common signs of a Russian Capture. I know it's not a Czech made post war gun. My best guess is a Czech capture that's had some slight rebuilding?
Key features:
.'42' stamp
.1939 build date
.7.62 stamp above the '42' stamp and burned under stock
.Dirty Bird on left hammered out with several strikes
.Star of David and other Israeli proof marks
.3 Dirty Birds stamped out on right with multiple strikes
.Mod.98 stamped on left rail
.Stock with serial number only stamped under the barrel. Has Bolt take down Ring and flat butt plate with German proofs
.Winter trigger with stamped one piece magazine plate
.Front sight hood
.Has bayonet lug, and the stock seems to be drilled for cleaning rod
.Bolt handle had serial but the rest doesn't.
.No import marks or electric pencil markings that I can see.
.10-56 R "D" 7.62 and and Arrow stamped onto barrel under the handguard
.German proofs under rear sight with non match serial #. The cost was $300.

I think that's the main points. Take a look at the pictures. Again, any input is greatly appreciated! Thanks guys -Sean

 

Reply by72usm FriNov19,2021

That is a mixmaster of parts on that 42 code k98k by Mauser Oberndorf. The nazi markings are really defaced. Czechoslovakia supplied tons of all sorts of captured/left over German arms & ammunition to Israeli people in their fight for a nation in 1947 & 1948. Yours is one that most likely came in as an 8mm that was later converted. Others were later made in .308. The best ones to obtain are Israeli K98ks still in 8mm that failed to get converted.

Your example certainly looks like it came from the Guatemala exports hoard of K98s that hit the market around 2002-2006. Early imports were in the mid 1960s by Interarmms . Does yours have an import mark?
As I had stated....Your IDF mauser is most likely one of the Israeli K98s exported to Guatemala. Almost all were the .308 conversion not the IDF 8mm Mauser version. Ones in 8mm from 1947-49 are a great find. The Guatemala hoard was obtained by importers in the US in the early 2000 and started showing up at gun shows around 2002 and later. Like Nam bring backs, these IDF Mausers suffered in the humid South American jungle climate and most from the Guatemala imports are seen in very poor condition- both the stock and the metal. Bores fared worse. Does it have a Century or PW import mark? Gibbs also had these. Generally the crown and muzzle as well as the chamber condition is reflected on what you observe on the outside. I can not tell if it has the cleaning rod hole drilled like a normal K98k or is a later put together lacking the cleaning rod - a Post war fabrication? Found it:

So it is a capture and not a post war rebuild. Also see this interesting reference post  (this is now an Archived Thread  on AR 15 forum with lost photos)

https://www.ar15.com/forums/armory/-/14-522062/?page=1

 

by BilgeRatMilitaria » Fri Nov 19, 2021 

Thank you for the response!! I did read the posts on Israeli K98's which was super informative but still left me uncertain with this particular one. With all of the info I read and the markings mine has it made me lean towards a legit WWII German gun that was a Czech capture/rebuild based on the mixed serial numbers and lack of Czech stamps. There are no import marks that I can find anywhere on the rifle! Under the handguard the barrel looks fantastic and the stock is in good shape. The muzzle and bore both are in good condition as well.

I did get this at a gun show probably around 10-13 years ago and always assumed it was a Russian Capture just based on the little I had read on it. But after doing more research it's very obvious it's not! I really just wanted to consult you expert's and get it's true history.

I would venture to guess that is an early Interterms 1960 import lacking the import mark; not a later rifle from the Guatemala hoard due to no import mark and the great barrel condition under the wood and its inside rifling. Definitely not an RC. What would have been fantastic is if it was still in 8mm Mauser with the Israeli markings. Still a very nice rifle. Thanks for posting that specimen.

 

 

Reply by 72 usmc

The Israelis had acquired whatever surplus Mauser 98 rifles they could get their hands on in the late 1940s and early/mid 1950s, along with ordering batches of new production M1930s from FN and new production VZ98Ns from Czechoslovakia. Then starting in the mid/late 1950s, the various Mauser 98s that the Israelis had on hand were converted to 7.62 NATO and standardized into K98k-style configuration. So in addition to the surplus WW2 German K98k rifles and postwar production FN and Czech rifles that make up the vast majority of 7.62 NATO caliber IDF Mausers, you'll also occasionally see one made from another Mauser receiver

 

[72 usmc]

 

 

Yugo (Yugoslavian) K98k Capture Rebuilds

 

Shortly after World War II, the Yugoslavians reconditioned or rebuilt their old stocks of captured K98 rifles. There are basically two kinds of captured/discarded Yugo K98ks. The first is a partizan recondition of a K98k that is only partially scrubbed, it is a K98k rifle that mostly retains their original German condition, the barrel is German and stock with its parts generally match. These have original German stocks matching the rifle’s date and code, small parts also match with surviving dirty birds and WaA stamps. The few I have seen still have a serial number stamped into the left side of the stock, but it is the same German barrel/receiver SN. Some of the most prominent Nazi codes on the receiver may be partially scrubbed with just the date remaining on the receiver. The upper receiver code and German proof is removed, but the date remains. Some are lightly scrubbed and there can be faint evidence or traces of the original German receiver codes. Some may have a Yugo crest applied, others do not. An early Yugo reconditioned K98k is not stamped "Mod 98/48". Generally these early reconditioned capture K98k rifles were inspected and only what needed repair to bring it into operational order was fixed. This occurred on early examples sometime around 1945-1947. Of the specimens lacking a Yugo applied crest, I have never actually found/seen an example with all German markings intact; its only modification was just a Yugo SN added on the stock. Maybe such an example exists? The ones I have seen have an applied Yugo crest and a SN stamped on the left side of the stock, but the German date remains and its mostly a German marked K98k.

 

The second Yugo capture K98k is a Post-War 1948 or later Yugoslav rebuild of a K98k. This is referred to as the Yugo Mod 98/48 and "Mod 98/48” is stamped on the left side receiver rail. It has a scrubbed receiver, all German receiver markings have been removed on the top of the receiver and the 1948 Yugoslav crest was added. The Mod 98/48 most likely will be rebuilt with a new, Yugo made, replacement barrel. Some say these barrels are made to better tolerances than the Nazi barrel. Only a few 98/48s retain their German barrel and that is if its condition was like new. There are Yugoslave proof stampings on the new replacement barrel and it has a Yugo applied, newly restamped serial numbers that match the bolt, stock, and sometimes the floor plate on the rifle. No electro written SNs are found on Yugo rebuilds. All the examples that I have seen have newly stamped numbers. Tito's Communists also stamped a factory rebuild name or code on the left side of the receiver; "Preduzece 44" is the most common factory code, but if I remember correctly, there are also FNRJ, Radionica 124,145, VR 69, and TRZ5 found on the Mod 98/48 rifles. There may be more factory codes, I just have not seen that many examples of the Yugo 98/48 to be sure.

 

The Yugo K98ks are original capture K98ks rebuilt Post War in Yugoslavia. The rifles still maintain most of the smaller German markings and have been reblued with a similar looking, high quality blue like found on the German K98ks. The attributes generally found on a Yugo Mod 98/48 rifle consist of the following. First, new Yugo made barrels replace the worn or rusted German barrels. Second, they scrubbed approximately 75% of the German markings from the gun. The receiver's top was milled and polished so the Yugo 1948 crest could be deeply roll stamped into the center of the receiver. The German code and year, as well as larger Nazi markings were neatly removed and the receiver highly polished prior to the application of the crest. No milling lines or marks are visible. Third, a new Yugoslavian serial number was stamped on the barrel, receiver, bolt, and stock. The floor plate may have a scrubbed SN and a new stamped matching serial number applied, or some may have a stamped line-out through the first German SN and above this canceled area, a new Yugo SN is restamped on the floor plate to force match the plate to the reconditioned rifle’s SN number. Consequently on some examples, two numbers can be seen on the floor plate. The Yugo Mod 98/48 is generally a force matched rifle utilizing new stamped, Yugo applied serial numbers. The Yugo Mod 98/48 looks like a typical Nazi K98k, but the rifle can have small punches to the Eagle proofs in an effort to remove Nazi markings. However, most seem to have the smaller markings on the metal parts remaining intact. WaA codes remain, especially small ones located at the receiver’s wood line or ones found on the small parts.

 

The stock condition is better than seen on RCs, I would say their craftsmanship in general produced a better looking and functioning rifle than the RC. Some stocks were scrubbed; but, stock condition varies greatly on specimens ranging from original finished, German stocks with some cartouches, to German stocks that are lightly sanded and revarnished. Shellac was not used. The finish looks like some kind of BLO or oil appearing more like an original beat Mauser. It can be light or darkly colored. Dents are present. One of mine looks lightly sanded producing a blond look as seen on a new issue Nazi K98. Although they appear worn, most Yugo M98/48 stocks still have some evidence of German Army proofs/cartouches. The stock cartouches were not totally sanded away. On the German stock the take down washer is present. On some Yugo rebuilds the German stock was replaced with a Yugo elmwood stock lacking the takedown washer.

 

There are three big modifications during the Post War rebuild of Yugo K98ks. These traits really identify a Yugo K98k rebuild. First is the scrubbed receiver or partially scrubbed receiver with the application of the Yugo crest.

 

Second, is the application of the factory name or code and "Mod 98/48 " on the receiver of post 1948/49 reworks. Some say this occurred post 1950.

 

"Preduzece 44" stands for Institute 44, Kragujevac, Serbia and is commonly marked on the receiver's ring. On the left side of the receiver, the "Mod. 98/48" can be seen on later post 1950 rebuilds. Notice the /48 looks like a hand stamped addition after the MOD 98. The "/48" is absent on all the rifles that have been refurbished before 1950.

 

Third, and most obvious, the stock’s serial number application is a dead give away to a Yugo rebuild. Similar to a Russian Capture, it is found deeply stamped into the left side of the stock between the take down washer and the butt plate; however, its position is vertical, parallel to the butt plate. In contrast, on the Russian capture it is located horizontal and parallel to the barrel.

 

On the early imports I own, a small import mark is stamped on the lower front barrel, not the receiver. One rifle came with very crisp German barrel, the other came with a new Yugo replaced barrel on my 98/48. Both came with original cleaning rods and sight hoods as well as a K98k style, Yugo made sling. Others may have a more common Yugo sling attached with two sling buttons. The rifles came in a box with the sling and a Yugo made bayonet and metal scabbard. Each rifle I own exhibits the better craftsmanship generally found on Yugo rebuilds and a uniform, flawless reblue more similar to a German blue. Barrels are like new or new Yugo replacements. Both headspace. Bolts work smooth as butter. I have not seen ones with counter bores. Both are all matching- no line outs. The M98/48 has restamped SNs. These rifles both retain most of the dirty birds and WaAs; yet, each have scrubbed receivers showing the Yugo Crest and their factory codes on the side rail.

J & G had Yugo K98ks for sale in 2013, although most were found around around 2008-2009. Dunhams Sporting Goods stores had them for sale in WI around 2008. The hardest ones to find are the examples of early ones that are mostly still “German” and retain partial Nazi receiver codes (date), or ones that have their import mark on the barrel- not the billboard on the receiver. 

See this nice example from Didier an early byf 42 TRZ-5: 

https://www.warrelics.eu/forum/world-firearms/yugoslavian-k98k-rework-718249/

To me, cosmetically, the Yugo K98k just feels and looks better than the RC K98k. Yugos have a flawless, dark, reblued to the metal, generally a new barrel- no counter bore, and most of the time the stock finish looks more "German." A person just has to be able to live with the Yugo crest on the receiver and the SN stamped on the left side of the stock. Remember, almost all have like-new barrels and make great shooters. The most common Yugo Mausers you see on the market today are the postwar M24/47s and M48s types, these are not K98ks (the M98/48).

A review “ The Yugoslavian Mystery Mauser 2002" see:https://web.archive.org/web/20200113200740/http://rodandgun.netfirms.com/article/Mystery_Mauser.pdf

 For a quick review of Yugo Mauser types see below (Quote submitted 1 year ago by large_poops)

QUOTE

A quick guide to Yugoslavian Mausers (self.guns)

So you've begun collecting military surplus guns and next on your list is a German Mauser. The Mosin and the Enfield were pretty cheap, but correct examples of German Mausers are going for $1500+! Luckily for your wallet, many countries copied Mauser's 1898 design making a Mauser experience much more affordable. Currently, Yugoslavian Mausers are on the market for a great price, but there are a fair bit variations that you should be aware of before purchasing one. Let’s begin at the beginning.

Model 1924 (M24) With the First World War over, the newly formed country of Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes (later known as Yugoslavia) decided they wanted a standardized rifle for their front line troops. After a brief trials, they came up with an almost exact copy of Germany's K98k rifle--the biggest difference being that the action was 1/8 inch shorter than Germany’s standard infantry rifle. The first 100,000 rifles came from FN, and the remaining examples (which were produced through WWII) were built at the Yugoslavian national armory. There were three main configurations of this rifle: two carbines and one rifle. C&Rsenal did a great writeup on these guns, which can be found here.

These are actually pretty difficult to find because most were refurbished during the cold war (more on this in about a paragraph). However, they are often mistaken for the much more common refurbished M24/47, and so deals can be found. The current rate on a proper M24 is much higher than other Yugoslavian rifles, so expect to pay a premium.

Action Markings: Yugoslavian Crest with Model 1924

Sidewall Markings:

FAB. NOT. D’ARMES de GUERRE , HERSTAL-BELGIQUE (FN Production 1926-1928)

АРТ. ТЕX. ЗАВОД – Крагујевцу (Artillery Technical Institute 1928-1931)

BOJHOTEX.ЗАВОД – Крагујевцу (Military Technical Institute 1932-1941)

 

Model 24/47 With the Second World War over and Cold War tensions rising Yugoslavia began preparing for more fighting. To fill their strategic reserve, the young nation began a refurbishment program in 1947 to bring their beaten M24 rifles to tip top condition. This included a standardization of sling swivels, rebluing, as well as scrubbed and re-stamped markings. As we know, the Cold War never developed into fighting and the M24/47 remained in pristine condition. Because of their “recent” refurbishment, they tend to be great shooters. These can be found pretty easily from surplus dealers for right around $300. Action Markings: Yugoslavian Crest, OR Yugoslavian Crest, M24/47

Sidewall Markings:

M24/47 PREDUZECE 44

M24/47 ZAVOD 44

M24/47 TRZ-5

 

Model 24/52C As 1952 rolled around, Yugoslavia slowed their refurbishment of M24 rifles and and began working on the left over Czechoslovakian vz. 24 rifles (which are different from Yugoslavian M24 rifles!) they received as war reparations. Despite the new rifle (designated M24/52c) resembling the M24/47 rifles, they can easily be identified by their markings. Since the Czech vz. 24 rifles have a history of their own, there are many slight variations that can be found. Depending on the condition of the barrel when rifles reached Yugoslavia, they may have been switched out for a domestically produced M48 barrel. Just like the M24/47 rifles, these guns tend to be in fantastic shape as they never saw action since their refurbishment. M24/52C rifles are slightly more difficult to find than the M24/47 rifles, but they still sell for roughly $300-$400.

Action Markings: Yugoslavian Crest, M24/52c

 

Model 98/48 Beginning in 1948, Yugoslavia began repairing and refurbishing captured German K98k rifles. During the process, the German rifles had varying levels of their markings removed with Yugoslavian markings added. As a result, there are a number of variations in the markings that can be found, some of which are listed below. Because they are German made, the actions are full length (as opposed to the intermediate length Yugoslavian Mausers). Action Markings: Yugoslavian Crest

Sidewall Markings:

FNRJ Mod. 98

PREDUZECE 44 Mod. 98

PREDUZECE 44 Mod. 98/48

RADIONICA 145 Mod. 98/48

 

Model 48 In addition to refurbishing guns, the national Yugoslavian armory began production of their new Mauser design, the M48. This new gun had more German features than the prewar Yugoslavian M24 (sight hood, bent bolt handle, cupped buttplate, sling swivel placement), but they stuck with an intermediate length action. By 1952, Yugoslavian engineers designed stamped parts to make production more efficient, resulting in the M48A. This design was updated once again to the M48B (although the receiver crest continued to say M48A). Once again, most of these guns never saw war and are in fantastic condition. For $350 or so, you can find a mint one with a bayonet, cleaning kit, oiler, etc.

In conclusion: Proper German K98k rifles are expensive and highly collectable, making it not necessarily the best choice for a range toy. Luckily, the Yugoslavians made some nice Mauser copies that will give you the Mauser experience at a fraction of the cost. As an added bonus, Yugoslavian M75 sniper ammo has recently hit the market. This highly accurate ammo pairs great with a mint M48 or a nice refurbished rifle. So, if you’re a milsurp guy who wants a nice shooter and doesn’t mind if the gun is of WWII vintage, look into one of the many Yugo Mauser flavors.

END OF QUOTE

Here are photos of my rare Radionica 145, Yugo K98k Rifle.  16 photos 

 

 

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Didier’s example! A former BYF 42, Yugo TRZ-5 K98k 

Wed Jul 31, 2019

Didier presents a nice referb of a K98k- an early Yugo K98k with German markings mostly intact. see this link.

https://www.warrelics.eu/forum/world-firearms/yugoslavian-k98k-rework-718249/

The source for the lower pictures is Didier. He has many more details in the link. What a nice example! A former BYF 42, Yugo TRZ-5 K98k. Notice no Mod 98/ 48 mark, just the German Mod 98. A German stock. And an original German butt plate. And all those German markings still intact. The Yugo crest  is over the original markings. 

Yugoslavian K98k reworks are of course fairly common and inexpensive, compared to "real" German K98k rifles, but this one is a little different from the mass of Preduzece 44 K98k rifle.  It was reworked at the TRZ-5 (Hadžići, Bosnia) factory and still bears a majority of its original German Waffenamt stamps. It may be one of the earliest Yugo K98k bfy 42 reworks (pre-1948) and was probably hastily put together at a time when the newly created Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia desperately needed firearms.

photo 21  Yugo K98k bfy 1942

22

25

A great reference to own is Branko Bogdanovic's  Serbian and Yugo Mauser Rifles,  2005,  published by North Cape Publishers  a paper back that is out of print.

 

1 TRZ receiver  mark

Here is a Rare 1 TRZ stamped maker's mark on the Yugo"s rifles receiver.

  1 TRZ photo

 

Here is the photo documentation of the above Yugo K98k, 1TRZ  by Southerngunner of SRF

https://web.archive.org/web/20200517183948/http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=3499

 

 

[72 usmc]

 

Mitchell's Mauser, US Remanufactured K98k Rifles

 

insert ad  1

insert ad 2

Mitchell's Mausers takes a select Russian Capture (RC) K98k Mauser and rebuilds the rifle like new at their U. S. factory in Fountain Valley, California. Their ads for these K98k "Original German Mausers from WW II" appeared in Surplus Firearms magazine in 2007-2010. See photo In 2006/2007 they offered Service grade rebuilds at $249, the Collector grade at $399, and a Special Premium grade at $599. If I remember correct, special higher grades were also available. These are well rebuilt rifles with select barrels and crisp Nazi markings. Mitchell’s workmanship is much better than the work done by the crews rebuilding/modifying rifles at Century Arms or by Ivan. The fit and finish on a Mitchell is actually quite good. The bolt is very smooth-headspace is perfect. However, a Mitchell K98k is as far from an original WW II firearm as possible. I do not own an example and my comments are from memory of the ones I would see for sale at the Shawano, WI gun shop back around 1009-1012.

 

A Mitchell K98k is redone to the point of being a replica firearm. It reminds me of a Denix replica, just that it actually fires and is a real rifle. It is an accurate, well bedded rifle with a great bore, correctly headspaced, nicely refinished, totally reblued, polished, restamped with new matching serial numbers, and even has some added nazi markings. See this next photo for an example of the Mitchell blue. Very much darker than an original K98k and more uniformly applied than an Russian Capture's blue

letter of provenance

 

Consider a Mitchell K98k like a new rifle with the swindle fraud alert "Letter of Provenance." Some love them, most hate them. Their cost was/is sky high when you buy one. But, try and sell one. For a shooter, I would rather have a 1950s sporterized bring back or a Gibb's conversion. Most collectors object to Mitchell's misleading marketing & high price. Resale value is low, about 1/3 what you paid. Shooters that want a like new, turd conversion, love them and will buy them.

 

The primary attributes of a Mitchell rebuild is the fact you are looking at a perfect, like new, all matching replica K98k - a super humped contemporary rifle made from restored original parts. The rifle has been totally reblued with a nice high quality even blue. The metal is selected for the lack of rust pits, so you generally do not see rust pits on the metal. Likewise the stock is a German blond and is well sanded and re stained with a nice smooth finish. The stock looks absolutely mint. The barrel is like new. The bolt is polished and the electro-penciled number is removed from the bolt. All RC serial numbers are rescrubbed, the parts finely polished, and a new "Mitchell" forced match serial number with a wrong font for a German K98 is stamped on the rifle's parts. Bingo, you have an all matching, faked rifle. The deeply stamped RC large X on the receiver is changed to an asterisk by adding two lines stamped through the X.

photo polished clean bolt 5

 

 Mitchell Mauser asterisk  images 

   

One dead giveaway as to the rifle's origin as a former Russian Capture is the RC's deeply stamped, horizontal, serial number on the left side of the stock. Due to its deep stamp, it can not be sanded away, therefore it still remains on a Mitchell rebuilt K98k. The wood looks new but the former RC number remains in this photo.

 Mitchell Mauser wood stain & remaining serial number that could not be sanded away

 

The German code and date remain on the receivers. On examples I have seen, only receivers with clear stampings were generally selected for their better rifles. Some Nazi markings are altered or added to make rare rifles. There are no electro pencil markings, no pinged dirty birds, no shellac on the stock, and the bolt, butt plate, and stock washer are in the bright. The rifle comes with a cleaning rod and sight hood. Mitchell's Mauser's can be identified by an import stamp that contains “MMC FV CA” or “MCC Fountain Vly CA” usually stamped on the barrel. The MMC is the key to its identification.

Here are views of a Mitchell import mark on the barrel. Shown below.   Notice the poor condition of blue on this "Souvenir" grade Mitchell. First photo.  Their Premium and Collector grades had better metal finish condition .  The second photo is a "Collector grade"specimen. 

 

 

 

In conclusion, I would say the Mitchell Mauser K98k can be considered a contemporary replica for shooters that do not have the same concerns of a true military collector. It is a well built, accurate, like new rifle with dubious markings that comes in a cool box at a somewhat high price. If you want an expensive great shooter that looks like a K98k with no historical value, this is a great rifle. It looks better than a non firing Denix replica to hang on the office wall. Some want a nice clean rifle to hang up- not a dirty bring back. I do not really consider them a true surplus rifle due to the Mitchell conversion.

 

The best Mitchell import marked K98k rifle is one that was rejected for rebuild. It was never tinkered with. Early in the marketing some of the rejects were sold as common RCs by Mitchells. It has the Mitchell's import mark on the barrel (MMC), but no other modifications were done to this lucky RC specimen. It is still a Russian capture, just that it's poor condition saved it from a replica-like conversion to a spic & span Mitchell’s K98k. These Russian captures have the Mitchell import mark on the barrel and were sold by Mitchell's as discards around 2006-2009. If I remember right, these were seen in old shotgun news ads. Considering all of the above, and factoring in the Mitchell price, I would rather have a nice gunsmith, 1950s professionally sporterized, K98 conversion of an original bring back as a shooter for my buck or just the RC with a MMC import mark.

 

Here are some of my comments from an old SRF post in 2012.  A quote from my section that was lost in the SRF 2017 crash:

QUOTE

RC $300-500 vs Mitchell $ 400-800 old 2012 priceMitchell is a completely redone, rehashed, scrubbed & renumbered, perfectly new like K98 that will shoot fine. No historical value what so ever, zip

An RC will have a reddish to dark brown stock, the Mitchell a blond refinished to new, light colored stock--no aged patina. No shellac on an original K98 just an oiled finish with patina

The RC will have a heavy sand mark on the left where the Russians restamped the stock, with the serial # . The Mitchell will not exhibit heavy sanding at one spot where it has the former RC renumber on stock. On original K98 bring backs there is no serial # on the left side. Numbers were under the butt or in the barrel channel.

An RC ( most) will have a black blued bolt with electro serial number on the top ( this is forced match to the stamped original receiver #), Mitchell will have a renumber to match, stamped, sliver - polished like new bolt. Original K98 will have the bolt in the blue (Not in the White), all matching numbers on bolt that match receiver.

The RC receiver most likely will have the large "X ." Mitchell an Asterisk. Original K98s do not. The RC & Mitchell will have an import mark, Original K98 bring backs do not have import marks.

An RC will have a mix of serial numbers on the parts some will have line outs with electro # to match the receiver # ( variations do exist). THE Mitchell will be scrubbed and (FAKED) renumbered to match on all parts no line outs an all matching K98 Ha! Original K98s will have all matching numbers, or all most all matching. The bolt could match itself ,but not the rifle, due to mix ups while cleaning in the field. All parts will be correct style for the year. On a RC or Mitchell there is a mixture of late war and early war parts- machined and stamped parts - incorrect parts wrong style stock for the year.

Electro numbers on RC, Never on a Mitchell- all nicely restamped

The RC will generally come without a cleaning rod, sight hood, capture screws on the trigger assy. screws and sling ( Now some add originals after they buy an RC). Mitchells will have repro. sight hoods, repro cleaning rods, repro. capture screws, and a repro. sling as it comes. Original K98s generally have original cleaning rod, sight hood and capture screws. Early ones have code # stamped on screws. And an original sling may be present. Ya Hoo! to that.

The RC can have Nazi markings intact or more likely pinged out on the dirty birds. Generally the swastika is punched and appears as a dot - nicely done ping to remove the swastika leaving the stamped dot . All Nazi markings are intact on the Mitchell, and you may actually have some fake marks added!

As of 19 Feb 2018, I have added a section in the comments, showing boxes and the restamped serial number close up views of the Mitchell K98

END OF QUOTE

 

Here is a link to a 2006 Mitchell's Owners Manual. Please see pages 4-6, it's really kind of funny. They spread it on pretty thick:

Luckly, these I saved to the wayback archive. The original links have been removed-gone

https://web.archive.org/web/20190819140224/http://www.mauser.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/German_K98_Manual.pdf

 or see this link:

https://pdf4pro.com/amp/view/care-and-use-of-mitchell-s-mausers-983a6.html

http://www.mauser.org/wp-content/upload ... Manual.pdf

 

Here is better information for beginners on the K98k at mausershooters.org. Just click on any of the 5 headers:

https://web.archive.org/web/20181028171403/http://www.mausershooters.org/k98k/SC_tips.html

http://www.mausershooters.org/k98k/SC_tips.html

 

So here are some photos of the Mitchell box that the rifle comes in. I do not believe any of these were sold out side of the US.  Over the years the goodies that came with the replica-like, U.S. made-over, humped K98 rifle differed. The contents of the collector box  varied depended on what was on hand and what grade of rifle you purchased.

Since I never got snookered, I do not own one, as a result these photos have been taken from on line source photos produced by a "Mitchell K98"search. If you can find one in the box at half price, say $200 they make good shooters.   

Box & Goodies

 

 

 

 

Here are close ups of the Mitchell's restamped numbers using a non German font: "Sure do match..."

 

 

Mitchell's also got into the act of selling PPU ammunition in their special colorful collector's box. 

Here are views of the 8mm ammo that they sold. The source is from Storemans 2014.  See link for photos only. These items have been sold eons ago http://www.trapshooters.com/threads/8-m ... ll.207009/   Sorry this link is gone, but was the source for these photos.

Mitchell expensive ammo in the red box has their special headstamp, "MITCHELL 8mm Mauser" It is new PPU made Yugo 8mm Mauser specially reheadstamped for you to display with  your rifle.  

Here is a view of the box if the old link goes dead. Source Storeman photos 21-22.     

   Let me think, Blue box PPU at 14.95, or Mitchell's red box PPU at $25

 

—————-

 

Wed Jan 30, 2019    MITCHELL MAUSER EXAMPLE

Libertytreecollectors recently sold asap a Mitchell Mauser and has some great photo close up views of the font of renumbered parts, the stock finish and the removal of the stock serial number found on RCs. This example sold for $695 plus shipping and most likely FFl transfer fee almost as fast as it was listed. All photo shot views are take from Libertytreecollectors: Their excellent documentation photos have been reproduced as screen views so you can see them after they pull down this sold listing. A great example of a remanufactured & cleaned up, faked matching number: MITCHELL'S MAUSER K98k.  I hope this example goes into their reference library.

 

Link to source: it is sold so the link will go dead in a few weeks: It is gone. 

https://www.libertytreecollectors.com/p ... dcategory=

German K98 Mitchell's Mauser dou45 #1693

Libertreecollectors description:

QUOTE

“This offering is for the pictured German K98 "Mitchell's" Mauser. In nice looking condition, it is a wartime rifle that has seen post war rebuilds and was completely rebuilt by the importer Mitchells Mauser's. Most serial numbers re-stamped to match by Mitchells, full blued finish, mechanically fine. Laminated stock and hand guard, refinished and lighter in color. Chambered in 8mm Mauser the bore has very good rifling, smooth lands and grooves. Import marked.”

END OF QUOTE

Photos of this example:

 

 

 

30 If you look closely at the photo below, you can see the evidence of the deeply stamped, RC serial number that is found horizontally on the right side of the stock in this lower photo. They could not sand it away. This can vary from a faint ghost mark to a deep stamp.

 

31 The details of this Mitchell

 

 

32 Note, this bolt is not bright like most Mitchell's. It was re blued after the RC serial number on the top of the bolt was removed. Note, the asterisk and the odd font to the serial number. This is not common to a Mitchell.

 

 

33 Note, the stock was sanded & refinished to a German blond. There is some evidence of the old reddish brown RC stock color if you look closely.

 

 

 

34 Note, the restamped in the wrong font on all the small parts. The original RC miss matched or lined out numbers were ground off, the area re polished and then re stamped to produce a fake matching K98. A perfect cleaned up rifle for a WW II reenactor. They do great work.

 

 

35 Reproduction lock screws and cleaning rod added and the rifles came with reproduction slings.

 

In conclusion, I have not see any Mitchell's Mauser K98s at gun shows in the last 2 years? It seems they now hold there value, or have slightly increased in value. I have seen Mitchell's M48 Yugo Mausers, but not the K98s that everyone use to dislike so much. Even RC (Russian Capture) Mauser K98ks in original condition are a rare breed at Wisconsin gun shows in the last two years. I guess $700-750 is no longer out of line for one of these rifles. Back in 2011 the intact RC K98k sold around $200, while a Mitchell's K98 sold at $399-$600. Actually in the 2011 issue of Guns & Ammo, SURPLUS FIREARMS Magazine on page 118 is a nice review of the Mitchell K98 entitled: Mauser's Military Masterpiece by Rick Hacker, pp. 118-123. I do not believe any of these Mitchell Mausers were sold outside the US. 

 

[72 usmc]

 

Romanian/Albanian/Balkan K98k Captures

 

GunnyUSMC owns a Romanian/Balkan K98k similar to mine, but the forum lost its pictures. I made a copy of a few of his photos in order to show the defacing of Nazi markings found on these rifles from a paper copy I had of the of the former post. Page 2 in the now gone link had some great reference photos that went blank. Here is the original link that was the source of the photos:

https://www.ar15.com/forums/armory/Black_Friday_1940_K98/14-427566/

They are not as clear as the originals.  Here are five reproduced views.

 

As stated, I own one of these that I will use as an example to show its attributes. Romanian/Balkan Capture K98k rifles show considerable wear. It is mostly found as an almost matching rifle; parts match except for the bolt and maybe the floor plate. Some have unnumbered floor plates. These rifles have not gone through a total rebuild. Stocks match and these have not been cleaned, redone, or refinished. The trigger guard and its receiver/barrel action matches, as well as the bands, but the bolt is a miss match. The bolts match to themselves. Sometimes the firing pin is unmatched, but all other bolt parts generally match. The rifle has correct inspector marks and milled vs stamped parts for the receiver's code. The serial number font is correct for a German font. It is very unlike the font observed on restamped Mitchell's Mausers. It was never shellacked, never electro-pencilled, the rifle’s Serial Number was not stamped into the left side of butt stock, and the action was not subjected to a re-blued. They look like a  German Mauser with a very worn, original blued finish where 90% of the blue is gone. Something you generally see on beat Turkish Mausers.  Romanian/Balkan Capture K98k rifles appear as battle worn firearms showing long term service in the field. They exhibit average bores and with well rounded edges on most of the metal parts.  Most diagnostic, these Balkan rifles have a unique style of defacement to the German inspection marks and dirty birds. While the German code and year remain intact on the receiver, any eagles above the code are really peened out. The Waffenamts and WaAs are obliterated, totally defaced. Here are some examples of defacement common on these K98s:

byf 43 is my rifle's receiver deface markings 6&7

Other examples

11 Balkan peened eagle  on top of the receiver

 

There are major differences between an RC (Russian Capture) and these Romanian/Balkan capture rifles.

Here are some of the listed attributes to help identify a Romanian/Balkan K98k. An RC will have a reddish to dark red-brown stock, the Romanian will have a well worn, original stock with dark walnut color, showing an aged patina. No shellac on a Romanian/Balkan K98, just an oiled finish with lots of patina. Handguard stock serial numbers inside generally match the receiver. Some of these stocks are in fair original condition, mine is well used.

The RC will have a heavy sanded mark on the left where the Russians deeply re-stamped the stock with the serial number horizontal to the barrel. The Romanian Mauser will not exhibit sanding. There is no serial number restamped on the left side. Original German serial numbers are found under the butt plate ?, under the hand guard, and stamped in the barrel channel.

An RC (most) will have a black-blued bolt with a hand etched, electro written, serial number on its top. Some have removed the RC serial number and buffed the bolt so it is in the white. In contrast, there is no etched serial number on the Romanian capture's bolt top. The bolt is an original German bolt. It is almost always a miss matched bolt, but the bolt matches itself or possibly the bolt body is different from all the other bolt parts, but the internal parts will match. The bolt will look unblued, but a closer look will show traces of blue on the bolt. It will exhibit the correct German number font on the number stampings. Balkan specimens will have an aged patina. They do not have a polished new bolt seen on a Mitchell, nor the fresh blued bolt seen on an RC.

The RC receiver most likely will have the large "X " on the receiver's top or left side of the ring. There is no "X" on the Romanian receiver. While mostly intact, any German eagle above the code on a Romanian/Balkan import will be obliterated by multiple sharp tipped strikes. On most RCs these eagles remain intact.

The RC & Romanian/Balkan will both have an import mark. The RC a new blue-black finish. The Romanian/Balkan capture will have considerable patina and wear. Almost no blue will remain on the metal. Parts are well used.

An RC will have a crazy mix of serial numbers on the parts. Russian Capture K98k’s = MIXMASTER. Most have line outs with electro penciled numbers to match the receiver number (variations do exist). A Mitchell’s Mauser will be scrubbed and (FAKED) renumbered to match with the WRONG font for a K98k German Mauser. Generally, all parts will be of the correct style for the year & manufacturer of a Romanian/Balkan K98k. There can be a few miss matched parts, but generally all the parts on the rifle match except the bolt, floorplate, maybe the hand guard and/or a few other small parts that may be replacements. There is no mixture of late war and early war parts--- milled vs stamped parts - incorrect parts, or the wrong style stock for the year as found on RC Mausers.

Electro penciled, handwritten, numbers on an RC. This was never done on the Romanian/Balkan Captures that I have seen?

The RC will generally come without a cleaning rod, sight hood, or capture screws. No sling (now some owners add originals after they buy an RC). Mitchells will have reproduction sight hoods, repro. cleaning rods, repro. capture screws, and a repro. sling as it comes out of the box. My Romanian/Balkan K98k capture came with a beat sight hood and original cleaning rod. Inter Ordnance Romanian/Balkan K98ks came lacking cleaning rods, none have been observed as arriving with original slings.

On an RC the butt plate and take down washer is blued by Ivan. On a Romanian/Balkan K98k the bolt take down washer and the butt plate are in the white and not blued.

The RC can have Nazi markings intact or more likely neatly pinged out on the dirty birds. Generally the swastika is punched and appears as a dot - a nicely done “ping” to remove the swastika leaving the stamped dot. All Nazi markings are intact on the Mitchell, and you may actually have some fake marks added! In contrast and clearly more obvious on the Romanian/Balkan capture, the key attribute for identification is that the dirty birds and/or WaAs are punched out with many little chisel-like hits or pings. They really wanted to deface these marks. This is how the RC & Romanian K98ks really differ. The Russians were less concerned about destroying the Nazi markings on the receiver and barrel. Those Romanians really wanted them gone. They are not hit with a single ping, rather lots of peck marks are used to obliterate the Nazi marks. see photo examples. Interestingly, the dirty birds and WaA markings were not ground like an Arisaka's mum, but hit hundreds of times with little stab marks to obliterate the mark.

Romanian specimens have import marks that are found on barrel. No billboard import mark on the receiver. Most were sold prior to 2010. Some have Inter Ordnance, others CAI import marks. The "I O Inc., Monroe NC" Inter Ordnance import mark dates to 2000 when these Romanian/Balkan imports were dumped on the US market. Both IO and Century were selling these in the mid 1990s. A Century import mark appears as " K98 GERMAN 8mm" second line : "CAI St. Alb. VT".

 

In summary, most Romanian/Balkan surplus K98k examples are well used Mausers that are generally somewhat beat and heavily worn, exhibiting lots of patina and character to the rifle. The bolt and its action is generally worn, but they still make nice shooters. They have an original stock that matches the action with lots of dings, scratches, and dents to the dark patinated finish. Watch out for "sewer pipe" bores, most barrels were described as only fair to average.

SEE THIS: Firearm review June 2000: Collectable classic K98k carbine from Inter-Ordnance

http://www.cruffler.com/review-may-00.html

 

Here are some more photos of a Romanian /Balkan Mauser: 

Yugo k98 refurb? Zigmstr Nov 6, 2021

https://www.k98kforum.com/threads/yugo-k98-refurb.48555/#post-360577

 

 

Romanian (Balkan) Capture K98k specimens

A Wayback Machine Archive of 4 pages to the former SRF 2005 pre crash post called “Romanian (Balkan) Capture K98k specimens” can be found here; some of the photos are long gone.

Page 1   https://web.archive.org/web/20170319234715/http://surplusrifleforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=136776&sid=31244c63d5d6b7bb9e5477410ed76a9f

Page 2  https://web.archive.org/web/20170319174042/http://surplusrifleforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=136776&sid=31244c63d5d6b7bb9e5477410ed76a9f&start=15

Page 3  https://web.archive.org/web/20150420131845/http://surplusrifleforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=136776&start=30

Page 4 https://web.archive.org/web/20150420112712/http://surplusrifleforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=136776&start=45

 

 

Displaying Romainian Balkan Capture K98K.pdf.

Here is a very interesting seldom seen link to Bulgarian Partisan Rifles that includes picture photo mosaics where each picture enlarges if clicked on. There are 2 examples of K98 Mausers. PARTISAN RIFLES link is below the quote.

QUOTE

Welcome to Partisan Rifles! This site is dedicated to rifles from the Balkans region - the former Yugoslavia (Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia, Slovenia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Macedonia), Greece, Bulgaria, Albania, Romania, and also Italy, Austria, Hungary, Russia, and Turkey - especially those rifles with soldier graffiti on them. I cover anything I can get my hands on, which is mainly WWI to WWII, though there are many examples from the earlier Balkan Wars, and recent Croatian and Bosnian Wars. While not technically in the Balkans, I have found some fascinating rifles from the Spanish Civil War, and will include those also.

Balkans-region rifles from the 1800's and earlier have shown me that decorating rifles was a common practice, possibly stemming from Turkish or Middle Eastern decorations. This tradition has been carried on well into the 1990's. A number of the region's rifles bear initials, names, cities, dates, kill counts, and political symbols on them. Most of these markings were made by non-government irregular forces, or militia members. These markings create a historical journey by showing who used the rifle, where and when. For example, the above rifle was most likely captured from the Italians by Tito Partisans in WWII.

I plan to keep this site constantly updated with my acquisitions, or with new information I learn. Please comment on anything you see, or information you have; I strive to be as precise as possible. And if you would let me showcase your firearm, or even sell one of your firearms to me, please contact me at keergyriah@gmail.com. I can also be found at gunboards.com as the member “hairygreek."

I theorize that most, if not all, of the "Balkans M91" rifles were imported from Romania, and the features they exhibit were done during the Cold War. The main identifying feature is the scrubbed/peened Tsarist eagles and barrel markings. Most Romanian Mauser VZ24's have scrubbed King Carol II crests, and some German Mauser K98k's have peened markings, both likely coming from Romania. As far as nearby countries, Mosin M91's observed in Bulgaria by certain collectors bore intact crests, and thus show that defacing the crest was not a Bulgarian activity.

Unusually, this rifle (The K98added by me) has a CAI import mark on the barrel. Normally the expectation is that Tito rifles were imported pre-1968. This rifle may have been imported with the similarly imported Gew98m on this site, and probably came from Albania. If it had come from Romania, the Nazi eagles would have been peened away; from Yugoslavia, it would have been refurbished, or imported as-is pre-'68; from Greece, been imported pre-’68.”

END OF QUOTE

    Home page Source of above Quote;       http://partisanrifles.weebly.com

March 2018,  see PARTISAN RIFLES

QUOTE

“ Unusually, this rifle (The K98added by me) has a CAI import mark on the barrel. Normally the expectation is that Tito rifles were imported pre-1968. This rifle may have been imported with the similarly imported Gew98m on this site, and probably came from Albania. If it had come from Romania, the Nazi eagles would have been peened away; from Yugoslavia, it would have been refurbished, or imported as-is pre-'68; from Greece, been imported pre-’68.”

END OF QUOTE  source http://partisanrifles.weebly.com

 

ffuries on SRF,   ROMANIAN/Balkan dot 1944 K98K EXAMPLE

A member of SRF, ffuries indicates he may have a Balkan Mauser. I asked him to please show close up views of all the defacings, degree of matching parts, and the overall condition. Show import mark and receiver markings. Please post photos. 

Reply by ffuries

QUOTE

“The rifle total mix-master on SN's and Waffenamts. The stock has an interesting repair, that gives it character. The butt-plate which is in the white has been painted orange on the backside, all the Waffentamts and Swastikas on the barrel and receiver have been scrubbed (Not pinged or lined out but ground off). There are Waffenamts on the rest of the other smaller parts.

What I have figured out I think! Late war stamped front band, late war stamped floor plate, pre-early war milled trigger guard with capture screws. Bolt has the oval vent holes, stock has the take down washer, cleaning rod hole and the front band/nose cap has the bayonet lug. The stock is an early/mid war stock, which would not be on a DOT 44 rifle....Correct or incorrect?

Found a very lightly EP'd SN on the bolt stem, almost missed it. There is no X on the receiver anywhere! The stock has a SN in the barrel channel and on the hand guard. The original SN on the bolt was 5709 with a letter, this is on the root of the bolt handle. All the other parts are stamped 1630 with what looks like a very very faint EP'd 1630 on the bolt stem (but also looks like other numbers when looked at from different angles, magnifying glass doesn't make it easier or clearer to read).

The rifle doesn't seemed to be re-blued, painted, hot dipped like the Russians did. From what I am told it doesn't fit the Russian captured, Romanian captured, Yugoslavia captured look! There is no bolt SN engraved onto the top of the bolt like Russian captures normally have.

Waffenamts:

Barrel band Waffenamt 655, Nose cap Waffenamt 214, Take down washer Waffenamt 214, Floor plate Waffenamt 135, Barrel band spring Waffenamt 135, Trigger guard assembly Waffenamt WaA63 and WaA83 (Maybe 63 poorly struck), Magazine follower Weimar Eagle 45

Serial numbers:

Barrel: 2802 ah, Rear sight, rear sight base: 2802, Rear sight slide: 02, Rear barrel band: 3578, Nose cap: 77, Trigger guard/housing: 3783, Magazine floor plate: 7819, Magazine follower: 31, Bolt body/handle root: 5709 and unknown single letter, lined out, Bolt safety catch, cocking piece, bolt sleeve: 1630, Bolt stem: 1630 very lightly EP’d, Handguard: 5082.

Other stampings:

Shield Dot 13, EV,

GPC W Hurley NY import stamp (Gun Parts Corporation aka Numrich) “

END OF QUOTE

 

FFuries states

QUOTE

Ok here's my K98k that the group decided was a Balkan Captured. It's a DOT 44 and an interesting mix-master to say the least. The stock is not refinished like Russian Captures are, although it shows some shellacking but it's worn away where the rifle is handled most at. The metal is not refinished in anyway, there is a buttstock repair that is held together with wooden pegs. Rifle still had capture/locking screws in the trigger guard, but was missing the cleaning rod, and sight hood. Other than the few Waffenamts here and there, the Eagle and Swastika stampings have been completely scrubbed with what appears to be a soft hand and grinder. Rifle appears to have been well used and abused during its lifetime. No Russian X on the reciever/barrel, no signs of buttstock having a SN added to it. No other markings other than SN in handguard channel on the stock.

END OF QUOTE

 

This Romanian /Balkan rifle has been documented below. See ffuries many fine photos.

 

 

Reply by 72 USMC

I assume the dirty birds on the receiver have all been removed and rather neatly done at that. Odd that they are removed so finely and that the rifle is such a mixmaster. This fine specimen certainly widens the range in Bulgarian K98s attributes. It is interesting that its parts consist of such a mix of serial numbers when most of these I have seen are almost all matching except for the bolt. Likewise the careful grinding used to remove the Nazi markings is out of the normal where the markings are generally removed by many stab like hits. But the overall beat, worn stock and metal condition and lack of RC attributes fall right in line with the Buligarian/Balkan Captures. It is also complete with a mismatched bolt. Yours is an interesting example and I like that stock repair. I do not see this on many K98Ks. The Russians did minor repairs, but a damaged stock like that would have been tossed in the furnace to heat the building. Very few RCs have stock repairs that well done or that extensive. I see that the handguard has different numbers from the action and it is a different color: a replacement handguard. Generally these rifles have the same action and wood with matching stock numbers; but given its damage, it is easy to see why the handguard was replaced. Mine also had the reddish paint as a rust protector under the butt plate like your example. That stock has some history to it. Like all of these Balkan Capture imports, they saw long term use. I love that rifle. A fine example. These old beaters are getting had to find at recent shows.

Here is a pic of what the receiver may have looked like and the three markings that were removed. A example from an online source of a DOT 44 receiver with markings intact:

source : Web grab Alamy

also see   http://www.latewar.com/html/dot.htm

ffries reply to the above

As I remember I didn't find any Dirty Birds on it at all, just the various Waffenamts. I thought it was a Russian Capture at first, but yall shot that down pretty quick, and the collective agreement was it was a Balkan Capture, that had a long rough life. She's been rode hard, but she has lots of character, hence the reason I love it so much.

It was mention that the stock repairs was reminiscent of Yugoslavia handy work, but the rifle itself negates a Yugoslavia background. She's truly unique that is for sure, guess I have a thing for the ugly ducklings…. I paid $270.00 for it in June 2015, well actually $370.00 but it came with a $100.00 worth of commercial ammo.

 

 

————

Romanian/Bulgarian/Balkan byf 1943

Here are photos of my Romanian/Bulgarian/Balkan byf 1943 specimen. Note the patina of the stock.

 

 

 

The bolt matches itself

 

 

 

[72 usmc]

Czechoslovakian K98k Introduction

 

For on a budget minded bankroll, Czechoslovakian K98ks are somewhat easy to find surplus rifles in the US. Most common are the Post-War Czechoslovakian K98ks with the winter trigger. Some have sterile scrubbed receivers, others have their receiver markings intact. A common attribute on both of these Post War, Czech k98K rifles is the larger trigger guard. There is also the Czech made 8mm K98k with the Rampant Lion Crest and the Czech refurbished WW II,  German coded rifles in the original 8mm that were sold to Israel. Later after 1950, the Israeli army converted their 8mm rifles to 7.62 NATO. So at gun shows in the US, it is easy to find a .308 NATO example with import marks, but a Czech made or redone Israeli K98k still in its original 8mm lacking import marks is a true hard find. Another easy find is the Belgian, FN made K98k in 7.62 NATO with an IDF crest on the receiver. These were made in 7.62 Nato- they are not conversions.

 

Darrin Weaver in Israeli K98s, pp. 104-111, in Military Surplus Magazine (2018:p.110) indicates four main groups of Israeli K98 types. First, the author identified German WW II manufactured rifles obtained clandestinely that still maintain their German codes and are in 8mm Mauser. The second group consists of 8mm Mauser rifles made after the war by Zbrojovka Brno. These have Czech markings, can have a Rampant Lion crest, or the winter oversized trigger guard. The third group he indicates are the rifles made by Fabrique Nationale in Belgium. These FN Israeli K98s have the IDF crest . The fourth group he categorizes as the conversions of the first three groups. These 8mm chambered rifles were reworked and re-barreled into .308 converted 8mm Mausers with new NATO barrels that are stamped 7.62 on the receiver and branded deeply into the stock for identification as an overhauled Israeli K98 standardized for .308 NATO ammunition. As you will see, my groupings are based on common attributes and will be grouped in a different manner than the  way Mr. Weaver categorized them.

 

Czech Post-War production K98k Background Information

 

In an effort to save some time Popeye found the old SRF post that Ed posted on the old SRF forum. It is under the title, Arctic K98k , This excellent write up from Jeff Diederich was reposted for the new SRF  forum and it is shown/quoted below. 

 

As stated before, Milsurp Knowledge Library only allows a limited number of access reads to non members. My Milsurp links may not work after a certain point. However, individuals can use the title that I put in red for a direct goggle search in order to gain access to these fine references that I linked to. So if the link fails, please do a goggle search under the red title and you should be able to read/review the reference until your number is up or you become a member. The reference article at the Milsurp library is worth the read.

 

Please see the excellent reference with many photos at Milsurp.com library  by Badger 2007 entitled:

Post-War Czech K98k (Karabiner98) Rifle (Mfg 1945-1950 by Ceskoslovenska Zbrojovka, A. S. BRNO) The direct search link is the red title : 1945-1950 Post-War Czech K98k (Karabiner 98) Rifle by Badger ;

Use this link.

https://www.milsurps.com/content.php?r=159-1945-1950-Post-War-Czech-K98k-(Karabiner-98)-Rifle

 

Here is Ed's SRF post in the lower Quote:

QUOTE

"From Ed Hoffer - Apr 16, 2006 Jeff Diederich; with authors permission

The Arctic K98

After the capitulation of Germany at the end of World War Two, Europe had much to accomplish before returning to any semblance normalcy - both in terms of rebuilding of infrastructure, and the revitalization of economic progress.

Czechoslovakia was no exception, and following the end of control of these weapons production facilities by Germany, production was resumed as quickly as was practical. Czechoslovakian factories had filled military small arms orders preceding the advent of German control, and resumption of weapon production for foreign and domestic military entities began shortly after return of their sovereignty.

German production of the K98k rifle (and other weapons) had continued right up until the "bitter end" of the war, as Soviet forces advanced across the "Ostfront" through Eastern Europe. Consequently, production was essentially "frozen", with much work in process at various stages of manufacturing filling the stockrooms and littering assembly lines of the Brno and Povazská Bystrica plants. These parts represented a vast amount of potential capital, and vested man-hours of labor. Many pieces and parts, however, had been inspected and marked according to Waffenamt inspector's doctrines - some barreled receivers even bore German Eagle/Swastika firing proofs. These parts were used, along with newly manufactured parts, to assemble complete rifles for sale and export. Receiver codes from late German production appear on some receivers, some receiver rings are totally blank, as they filtered through the production lines in various states of German and "liberated" Czechoslovakian production. Some receivers were "scrubbed", or divested of their German date and code markings by grinding. Assembled rifles do, however, display a Czech "Rampant Lion" firing proof, regardless of German markings, and rifles with letter suffixes on their serial numbers display capital letter fonts for the alphabetical character, as opposed to the lower case suffix used exclusively on German produced rifles.

No longer under the extreme pressures of a German supply system in the waning days of a total war, some of the production "shortcuts" employed in the "Kriegsmodell" program were reversed. Czechoslovakia was no longer under the restrictions of the strained German supply system. The bayonet lug was a desirable attribute for many militaries, though the Germans had deemed it's value marginal enough to omit it to save production cost and time. It's use was reinstated for postwar Czechoslovakian K98k rifles.

Stock finish standards returned to earlier, higher levels. The "Kriegsmodell" buttplate with the bolt takedown provision was retained, however. This, in combination with the return of the bayonet lug, is fairly consistent for these rifles.

The characteristic enlarged, stamped triggerguard, with an integral non-removable magazine floorplate is a hallmark of these rifles. The purpose of the enlargement of the guard loop itself is said to facilitate use of the rifle with heavy gloved hands.

It is speculated that by 1945, the Czech and Slovak plants had been almost exclusively supplied with triggerguards from other suppliers in Germany - the main Mauser Oberndorf plant, and Lübecker Maschinenfabrik, both large suppliers of Brno and Povazská Bystrica since 1942. So much so, in fact, that Brno and Povazská Bystrica dropped off utilization of triggerguards of their own manufacture. Following the war, the rifles needed triggerguards, and the German supply had obviously ceased - so the plants began production of this one-piece stamped variety to continue production cost effectively. It is generally held that this was not a German innovation, as they do not display Waffenamts, nor is there documentation of German design (blueprints, specifications, etc.) In any event, they do not appear to show up on pre May 1945 German K98k rifles.

These rifles are, however, every bit as functional as wartime K98k's (and in many cases more finely finished), but are not wartime produced German pieces. Some of the more rare and desirable German codes (dou.45, for example) are displayed on these rifles, and are often misrepresented as of German /Czech origin - replete with the addition of bogus German final firing proofs, and the destruction of Czech "Lion" proofs and markings. Notable is the appearance of the "dot 1945" code on some of these rifles.”

END OF QUOTE

Here is the  Wayback Machine link to The Arctic K98k

see    https://web.archive.org/web/20071019222841/http://cagedlion.com:80/arctic.htm

 

 

Czeck K98k in original 8mm mauser,  dot 1945

Here is an example of a  Czech K98, but still in 8mm, an early specimen. This is a rare find. Old guns.com actually had an 8mm Czech K98 in 8mm mauser that was not converted. This is a hard one to find at gun shows, but they must still be out there. Source of the pictures are old guns- their pictorial mosaic . This specimen, a dot 1945 was still in 8mm mauser and was not rebulit into .308. Its receiver markings are intact. it has its original stock.  A rare bird at any gun show. It has a mismatched bolt and winter/arctic trigger guard with non removable floor plate. No 7.62 STAMP is found on the receiver or burned into the stock. The auction description:

QUOTE

K98k 8MM MAUSER RIFLE- DOT 1945 - made by Waffenwerke Brunn, Czechoslovakia, also written as Brno in 1945. This is a rifle which was made under German occupation, but never completely assembled before the end of the war. The Czechs later completed these with additional parts, especially the large bow stamped trigger guard, for sales to whoever would buy them. Many ended up being used in the Israeli war for independence in 1947.”

END OF QUOTE

Old guns dot 1945 Czech

 

 

Feb 02, 2020 9:13 pm

Czechoslovakia Post-War K98s, Winter trigger guards

These have the lion proof 'acceptance' mark. These are examples of POST WAR rifles made in late 1945, after the war was over and are commonly referred to as 'winter' or arctic K98k models. These are the sweet ones with receiver marking intact and early. Listed for sale in late Jan. 2020.

CLASSIC has some interesting Czech, 8mm, Model 98 Mausers, with markings intact such as SWP or DOT 1945 Dated, Post War rifles. These have the winter trigger guards and some are as found untouched, others have been reconditioned by James River Armory for Classic. Not so good. However, some interesting photographic examples are shown of each variety. The photos are from Classic's web page & posted here as a record of some nice specimens. Prices are not cheep. For a reconditioned one around $899 or an as found intact example at $699 .

 

Listed Jan 2020 and Classic states:

QUOTE

Highly collectible Model 98 Mauser made at the Waffen Werke Brunn factory in Czechoslovakia in 1945 under Nazi oversight and occupation. Sometime in late 1944 / early 1945, the Waffen Werke Brunn factory changed their production code on the K-98 rifles they were producing from DOT to SWP. The group of rifles we are selling under this SKU contains either the DOT or the SWP receiver stamping as well as the year of manufacture 1945 on top of the receiver. Other original war and post-war stamping are visible as well. All feature the rare winter trigger guards. Laminated stocks, and cupped butt plates. 8mm Mauser ( 8x57 ) caliber. 5 Round, Bolt Action. C & R Eligible. These rifles have all been pofessionally refurbished to our specifications by our friends at James River Armory. They specialize in the restoration of historic firearms.

END OF QUOTE

 

 

Please note, in December of 2022, Classic is also selling the most recent imports from Ethiopia that they hand selected from Royal Tiger Imports. (RTI). In late 2021 and 2022 Uli Wiegand, president of Royal Tiger Imports (RTI), found and recovered in Ethiopia a huge stash of surplus firearms that came onto the US market. However, they are sold at exorbitant prices. Consequently, you do not see these for resale on the secondary market because no one can sell one and make a buck after buying at such a high price.  Furthermore, when they actually see what arrives. The rifle's condition makes it more difficult for resale.  There will be more discussion on this new influx of surplus firearms in the later section about Ethopian K98k rifles. The question most ask themselves, did Classic get the best, or did RTI send them their garbage? Who knows?

 

 Classic's details for the" Reconditioned Specimens" are described as:

QUOTE

“Very Rare and Highly Collectible German / Czech Model 98 Mauser K-98 Rifles. 8mm, 5 Round, Bolt Action, Laminated Stock, Cupped Buttplate, Winter Trigger Guards... All the ones that we have seen have also had the coin style engraved inlay in the stock. * Refurbished Condition - See Details Below.

This group of K-98 Mauser rifles was manufactured at the Waffen Werke Brunn factory in Czechoslovakia, which was producing for Germany under Nazi control and occupation at the time. The factory later gained fame as the Czech Brno plant. K-98 rifles made at this factory originally carried the DOT manufacturers stamp on the receiver but transitioned to SWP sometime in 1945. These will either be DOU, SWP, or DOT and while supplies last you can select your desired manufacturer under the custom option field.

This group of rifles is highly desirable to collectors due to the limited numbers of total rifles produced with these stampings, as well as the unique characteristics and marking that these rifles carried. They are a piece of history, and we are proud to be able to offer this exclusive small lot.

* About the condition. The rifles under this SKU have been lightly refurbished to our specifications by our friends at James River Armory. They specialize in the restoration of historic firearms, and in our opinion, no one does it better. In this case the restoration consisted of the following. All metal parts were professionally cleaned and re-blued to an as issued finish. Missing sight hoods were replaced, and bores were scrubbed to remove any storage residue. There is no such thing as refurbishing a bore, but the bores have been cleaned, and we are told that they average from dark but serviceable to quite lovely. Just know that even though the external metal will be refurbished the rifles are still surplus and bore condition will vary just like with any surplus rifle and as such we make no guarantees in terms of bore condition. It may be pristine, or it may be a sewer pipe, but either way is the luck of the draw. Having said that, JRA has told us that although bore conditions varied that many cleaned up quite nicely.

As for the wood. Stocks were only lightly refinished as we did not want to remove all of the original military carry character that they possessed. Still, they have been dramatically improved from the original condition, and we think they turned out great. All of these rifles have the unique DOT style stamped front barrel band.

The result of this refurbish is a wonderful rifle that is also a piece of history. Also, since we first ran these rifles, in their first turn in condition, we have learned that they are even more special and collectible than we first knew. This particular group of K-98's was sold on contract to the country of Ethiopia. That is why they have the Saint George medallion in the stock. They are quite rare and have seldom been seen stateside.

Please know that even though these have been refurbished, we do offer a hand select as some just inherently have prettier stocks and markings on them than others. Choosing Hand Select will get you the best of 10 cosmetically. Please know that even in hand-select, we do not grade for bore condition. Grading bore condition is highly subjective, and as such, we do not factor bore condition into our grading process.”

END OF QUOTE

 

The details for the "As Found Specimens" are described as :

QUOTE

Original, Very Rare and Highly Collectible German / Czech Model 98 Mauser K-98 Rifles. 8mm, 5 Round, Bolt Action, NRA Surplus Good Condition, Laminated Stock, Cupped Buttplate, Winter Trigger Guards... All the ones that we have seen have also had the coin style engraved inlay in the stock.

This group of K-98 Mauser rifles were manufacturered at the Waffen Werke Brunn factory in Czechoslovakia which was producing for Germany under Nazi control and occupation at the time. The factory later gained fame as the Czech Brno plant. K-98 rifles made at this factory originally carried the DOT manufacturers stamp on the receiver but transitioned to SWP sometime in 1945.

This group of rifles is highly desirable to collectors due to the limited numbers of total rifles produced with these stampings as well as the unique characteristics and marking that these rifles carried. They are a piece of history and we are proud to be able to offer this exclusive small lot.

About the condition. These rifles are in original surplus turn in condition and will show the typical wear that you would expect on 80 year old surplus military rifles. As such, expect typical digs and dings as well as bluing wear. Also many rifles will be missing their original sight hoods. Some may have a sling or a piece of a sling but much like getting one with a sight hood getting one with a sling will be luck of the draw. None that we have seen come with a cleaning rod and in fact we are told that the DOT / SWP 1945 model stocks were not drilled for rods. All have the unique DOT style stamped front barrel band. Bores are dark from storage and will vary as is typical with surplus and as such we make no guarantees in terms of bore condition. It may be pristine or it may be a sewer pipe but ether way is luck of the draw.

Overall this is a pretty nice group of rifles by surplus standards. We would call them NRA surplus good overall.

We do offer a hand select that will get you the best of 10 cosmetically. Please know however that we will be hand selecting from a group of guns that we have already classified as NRA Surplus Good which averages about 60 % of like new condition. As such we would encourage you to have realistic expectations. Also know that we do not grade for bore condition. Grading bore condition is highly subjective and is also impossible to do without thoroughly cleaning the bore or sometimes even putting a few rounds through, and we do neither of those. As such, we do not factor bore condition into our grading process.”

END OF QUOTE

 

So in the United States one of the last hordes of surplus firearms to be found  and actually imported into the US includes K98k rifles, mostly Czech made ones. These Ethiopian Czech K98Ks will be reviewed in the Ethiopian section. Most never knew such example existed.

4 czech-mauser-dot 

5 czech-mauser-dot

 

6 czech-mauser-swp

 

Feb 02, 2020 9:17 pm

Classic's unboxing video of these rifles and other types of Czech Mauser k98ks:

https://www.classicfirearms.com/video/k98-various-video/

 This video is ancient and from March 2017. None of these firearms are for sale. Classic maintains a reference library of their unboxing videos for a historic perspective.  This is a reference video. These unboxing videos show people how imported rifles arrive & what condition they are actually in. 

AS FOUND CONDITION

Here are some photos from Classic unboxing videos of the markings & receiver on the “as found examples” with nice patina, PERFECT!     

7 czech-mauser-dot

 

8 czech-mauser-swp

 

9 czech-mauser-dot

I would love one of these if I could be sure the rifle's bore was not a sewer pipe at $700. If it was a $100 wall hanger special it might justify a risk.  The price is  just too much of a gamble for a nice "as found specimen" with an early date 1945. I would have to have at least an average bore. It really sucks they do not clean the bores so they can be sorted by condition. Just bad luck.

It may be pristine or it may be a sewer pipe, but either way, it is luck of the draw.

Ya right, sounds like a sucker bait to me.

 

 

Feb 02, 2020 9:43 pm

Here are pictures from Classic of the James River Armory reconditioned rifles-- I prefer the "As found condition".  These remind me too much of Mitchell-like redos.      

“The result of this refurbishment is a wonderful rifle that is also a piece of history.”

What a crock of ..., I guess with this type of description, Mitchell's Mausers are wonderful too.   And, they actually charge more for this historical travesty!

My 2 cents, they would have made more cash keeping them historically intact and cleaning the bores. Grade them based upon out side condition, bore condition, and receiver codes. For the intact, graded specimens, Classic should fix a price scale selling these intact rifles at different prices reflecting the condition of the specimen. Since when does a reblue of a historical firearm command higher value?   In contrast, the refurbished James River redone specials in a collector's mind are turds with clean bores-just altered beyond belief by a reblued and drastic cleaning of the original patina on the stock-not my cup of tea. Basically, it is similar to a Mitchell’s Mauser just that it is lacking fake restamps.  As an addition, you get a nice reproduction cleaning rod & sight hood with the polished up joker.

 

 

 

[72 usmc]

 

The common Czech K98 with Scrubbed Receiver

 

 

Czech scrubbed receiver, pic from internet source

In the late 1990s, Czech mausers were plentiful at shows like common Mosins. I never did buy one of these winter trigger, scrubbed receiver, Czech K98ks. They were nothing special, just common shooters. What I wanted was a Czech rebuilt K98k with the late year 1944 or 1945 dated German code and German made receiver with proof marks intact or the Rampant Lion crested example. These were a rare find, difficult to obtain, and much more costly at that time. Since I do not have examples and have not seen these at recent shows, I cannot provide specific details on these two Czech rebuilt rifles. What was common at gun shows was the Czech made scrubbed receiver K98k. Two examples are shown in the links provided below:

 

1) Here is an example of a Czech K98 Mauser with detailed reference photos from Libertytreecollector’s reference library:

https://www.libertytreecollectors.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=4742&idcategory=82

 

 2) Another example with great photos, search direct link title is: Need help identifying some of the markings on a Post War Czech K98

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=40797

 

Samco offered the Czech scrubbed receiver, winter trigger K98k rifles. What I remember about these are that they had the appearance of a “parts rifle”, at least to me. They have a rough receiver with milling lines going around its receiver’s circumference and made up of mostly stamped parts. Some of their features I recall include stocks that looked almost new with a beech or walnut laminated wood having a light brown color and BLO finish, but no cartouches. They had cupped buttplates with a bolt take down hole in the buttplate. They also all had the larger winter, stamped trigger guard assembly, as well as a non removable magazine floor plate. The plate was integral with the trigger housing assembly. The bolt had round gas escape holes, not the normal oblong holes. It had an electro written serial number on the bolt handle and cocking piece and a stamped SN on the receiver-although I am unsure of this. They were advertised as all matching rifles and Badger 2007 (see link:  https://www.milsurps.com/content.php?r=159-1945-1950-Post-War-Czech-K98k-(Karabiner-98)-Rifle) states “...rifles will be serial number marked on the receiver, buttplate, bolt handle, safety, cocking piece, firing pin, bolt shroud, both barrel bands, trigger guard, and the buttstock.”

The bands were late war stamped and welded. Sort of crude looking. I do not remember what the sight looked like. Badger 2007 indicates “these are late war pattern.”

The main Czech attribute that I never liked was the crudely scrubbed receiver. I like my crested Mausers. The Arctic Czech mauser’s receiver had milling or file-like marks from the machining that removed the crest. You could literally see lines around the circumference of the receiver, it was not polished. Only a few proof marks were at the wood line. The Czech crossed sword proof mark located next to and in front of the rifles serial number was stamped on the left side of the receiver. They did have a blue to them. The ones I saw came with an original cleaning rod and sight hood, but no sling. Samco had a big push to dump these and had full page adds in magazines around 1995-1996. In fact issue IV of Surplus Firearms magazine (1996) has a full page, color, back cover ad. It says “SAMCO leads the way with Mauser Collectables” showing the Persian Mauser and the Model 98K Mauser carbine with the steel winter trigger guard. No price was listed. Also no cleaning rod is shown with the rifle. Like wise, the 1995, Vol. III, Surplus Firearms magazine has an ad selling the Czech Winter Trigger guard Mauser.

insert ad photo 2

The mid 1990s was big for Samco’s sale of the Persian Mausers- they were the only ones that had them. These were mostly mint, fully crested rifles that cost big bucks and they cornered the market on them. I am not sure, but I also remember that Century also offered the Czech K98k rifles and these sold around $150. Interestingly, Surplus Firearms Magazine never did a write-up on these Arctic/Winter trigger, Cezch Mausers. A picture of one shows the side receiver rail on a Czech made receiver is stamped “CESKOSLOVENSKA ZBROJOVKA, A. S. BRNO.”

 

In summary, the key attributes to a common scrubbed Czech Winter Trigger K98k are the re-blued scrubbed receiver that is marked with a stamped serial number and the Czech crossed swords proof mark; the stamped winter trigger assembly; an intergal, non removable floor plate; and the side rail that is factory stamped: “CESKOSLOVENSKA ZBROJOVKA, A. S. BRNO. ”

crossed swords proof mark

 

stamped winter trigger assembly

 

Czech stamped floorplate

 

factory stamped: “CESKOSLOVENSKA ZBROJOVKA, A. S. BRNO. ”

 

Unfortunately, I do not own an example of this type. Due to a lack of a receiver Crest, I never wanted one.  So I am unable to provide finer details. I do know most have a large winter trigger guard; however, others with a scrubbed receiver can have a normal trigger guard. Both forms exist. All the Czech K98k photos are from internet sources or reference libraries. I do remember that the bore always seemed good on the ones I picked up to look at. The bolt worked smooth. Non collectors purchased them as shooters because the price was reasonable at $125-$150. Gunsmiths wanted them for the receivers. Nowadays, if you seen one it’s around $350 at shows in WI. That was prior to the price hike-more like $500-$600 at 2022 value.

For more information, I would refer all readers to view Badger 2007 at Milsurp.com. The direct link to search for this title 1945-1950 Post-War Czech K98k (Karabiner 98) Rifle by Badger is found below:

https://www.milsurps.com/content.php?r=159-1945-1950-Post-War-Czech-K98k-(Karabiner-98)-Rifle

 Or  https://web.archive.org/web/20190719184333/http://www.milsurps.com/content.php?r=159-1945-1950-Post-War-Czech-K98k-(Karabiner-98)-Rifle

 

Here is the major portion of the article for those with older computers where the link does not work:

QUOTE  

1945-1950 Post-War Czech K98k (Karabiner 98) Rifle

Before the Second World War, Czechoslovakia had produced the VZ-24 Mauser rifle for many years at their arms factory in in the city of Brno, having received most of their tooling from Germany under the Versailles Treaty in the 1920's. When the Third Reich occupied the Sudatenland and annexed the rest of Czechoslovakia in 1938 and 1939 respectively, the arms plant at Brno was incorporated into the Nazi armaments industry. The VZ-24 continued to be manufactured as the G24(t) and in 1940, the G33/40 mountaineer's carbine was added to production for the German Heer. All this changed in 1943 when pressures on the German arms industry and re-organization of rifle production within the Reich dictated that the Brno factory be re-assigned to begin production of the standard K98k pattern service rifle. At the same time, the plant also took the lead in MG34 manufacture despite the MG34 having been largely supplanted in the infantry by the MG42. This was because the MG34 was better suited to static defense positions in fortress mounts and for use in armored vehicles. From 1942 through 1944, the factory at Brno (known at the time as Waffen-Werke Brunn) utilized the manufacturer's code "dot", though in 1945 it was switched to "swp".

When the war ended, the Brno factory was largely untouched by the war. After the German surrender, the Czech government kept the production lines open and producing armaments. The earliest weapons were assembled entirely of parts left over from the German undertakings at the factory. Thousands of receivers and small parts were still in the production queue and required only final assembly. swp45 and dot44 coded rifles with upper-case serial number suffixes and rampant lion firing proofs are of post-war assembly, regardless the number of German proofs found on the individual parts. "dot45" coded weapons are, without exception, of post-war manufacture, the Czechs having adopted the older dot code after using up all the left-over swp45 and dot44 coded receivers first, many of which had sat in storage after being rejected by WaffenAmpt inspectors for minor flaws during the war.

Early in post-war production, the supply of trigger guards was depleted. Waffen Werke Brunn had received trigger guards and floorplates primarily from Mauser and Gustloff Werke after 1943 due to the abundance of extra production at these facilities once the stamped and welded construction bottom metal parts had been adopted. As the Brno factory no longer posessed the necessary machines to manufacture the older pattern parts, it was decided to tool up to manufacture newer, mass-produced, stamped and welded bottom metal assemblies which combined the features of the American M1903A3 trigger guard and the late-war stamped K98k bottom metal assemblies. The result was an integrated magazine and trigger guard with an enlarged trigger guard bow to facilitate the rifle's operation when wearing gloves. Despite modern marketing techniques, the post-war Czech triger guard design was NEVER implemented during the war by the Germans. The Germans issued a winter trigger guard insert with a toggle that extended along the stock's pistol grip for winter combat. Additionally, the Czechs NEVER marketed their post-war Mausers as "winter" or "Arctic" models. Rather, they sought to provide one model of rifle to their armed forces which could be used in a variety of climates. The feature proved successful and once immediate dometic needs for arms had been addressed, the post-war Czech version of the K98k rapidly became a very popular export rifle until production ceased in about 1950. It is believed that the last receiver code to be used was "tgf50", apparently for sale to East Germany, though tgf coded bayonets have been reported with dates as early as 1946. The first year that tgf was used as a rifle code is unknown to the author.

Most of the post-war Czech K98k's intended for domestic consumption were built without German-style factory codes, or in the case where a coded receiver was used, the codes were scrubbed. The receivers were then roll-marked with the Czech "Rampant Lion" crest. Probably the largest early purchaser of Czech K98k rifles was the fledgling state of Israel. Israel purchased many thousands of new and refurbished WW2 German K98k rifles from the Czechs. They can be found with original ww2 German markings, with post-war dot and swp codes, and occasionally with the domestic production style rampant lion crest. Most were later refurbished in Israel during the 1950's and converted to 7.62 Nato. Although other countries also purchased large quantities of Czech produced K98k's, it is very uncommon to encounter these rifles with intact rampant lion crests. At some point after the initial sales to Israel, it appears the Czechs decided to not sell rifles with their domestic rampant lion crest to foreign customers any longer. Late-production rifles will be coded with the earlier dot45 markings or will bear the tgf production code. As the Czech military began phasing out the issuing of K98k rifles in favor of semi-automatic and select-fire rifles, namely the VZ52 and VZ58, these largely obsolete Mausers were typically lightly refurbished and the Czech lion crests finely ground off prior to being reblued. These ex-Czech army rifles were subsequently sold to a host of customer nations. It is not known to the author whether the crests were ground off to facilitate sale, or if the crests were removed as a matter of policy while still in Czech inventories.

Rifles which were refurbished and subsequently sold out of Czech Army inventories will generally have the 1950's era "crossed swords" proof addded next to the serial number in addition to the normally encountered rampant lion firing proofs. Some very late tgf coded rifles sold abroad may also have the crossed swords proof as well, as it is generally accepted that the marking came into use in approximately 1950.

 

Typical features of Czech post-war production include:

-Rampant Lion firing proofs.

-Semi-kriegsmodel stock with the bolt take-down in the cupped buttplate. Stocks will most commonly be equipped with a bayonet lug.

-Often WW2 german marked parts are found mixed with new production parts.

-Stocks are usually made of either laminated Beech or Walnut.

-Trigger guards are typically either recycled German parts or post-war stamped construction with enlarged trigger guard bow.

-Serial numbers will have upper-case serial number suffixes.

-Receivers rings will typically be: scrubbed, stamped with rampant lion crest, or coded dot44, dot45, swp45 or tgf50.

-Bolt bodies will often be of the kriegsmodel pattern without a guide rib and with drilled round gas escape holes, though the late tgf50 coded rifle bolts had guide ribs.

-Extractors will usually be CZ marked on the reverse side.

-Rifles will be serial number marked on the receiver, buttplate, bolt handle, safety, cocking piece, firing pin, bolt shroud, both barrel bands, trigger guard and the buttstock.

-Rear sight will be of the late-war pattern, unserialized, and without reverse side range markings.

-Czech made K98k slings resemble WW2 German slings except that they usually lack the cross-hatch pattern, and the sling loop will be riveted together, not sewn.

-Czech made bolt bodies will be stamped with the rampant lion firing proof on the bolt knob.

-On receivers not of Nazi origin, the side-wall will generally be stamped "Ceskoslovenská Zbrojovka, A.S., BRNO”

END OF QUOTE

This reference article provides fantastic information about these rifles from an individual that actually owns examples of these rifles. There is also a picture tour with 37 pictures provided by Claven2. The goggle search title to the pictorial reference is : Post-War Czech K98k (Karabiner 98) Rifle

Post-War Czech K98k (Karabiner 98) Rifle (Mfg 1945-1950 by Ceskoslovenská Zbrojovka, A.S., BRNO) 

A must read on the attributes needed to identify Czech K98k versions. link is here:

https://imageevent.com/badgerdog/cgnmilsurpknowledgebase/postwarczechk98kkarabiner98rifle

————-

 

Sterile receiver Czech K98k  serial number 9951

Libertrytreecollectors has just found & sold a Czech sterile/ground receiver K98k with a non winter trigger guard. A great example of a Post war ground Czech K98k. But it has British proofs and no import marks. It has a normal trigger guard. A very nice example. liberty provides some great high quality photos.

The description:

QUOTE

This offering is for the pictured Czech K98 Mauser rifle. In very good looking condition, we understand these to have been made in 1945 or the immediate post war years from the arsenals at Brno.

Serial numbers no longer match and many of the parts bear German WW2 inspector markings. Metal finish is fully blued with slight silvering on the sharp edges. Military crest is removed from the receivers top. Additional British firing proofs have been added for commercial resale in England. Hardwood stock and hand guard are sound with minor dings and compressions.

8mm Mauser Not Import marked.

END OF QUOTE

Source: All 9 photos are Libertytreecollectors. These provide a nice record of a Czech scrubbed K98k with normal trigger guard and shows British markings. This is a inactive listing, hence the pictures were removed.

 Czech sterile ground receiver K98 without an Arctic trigger guard. No import mark and British proofs.

 

British mark

-------------

 

 

Sterile receiver Czech K98k  serial number 79221

 

Around December of 2019, Libertytreecollectors offered a scrubbed, Czech K98k and it sold ASAP in 2 days at... , hold onto your hats,   $650. Their pictures will go away soon because it's sold, but I am posting some here for reference. It seems that prices are really increasing on K98k rifles. A common, Post War Czech, winter trigger, scrubbed receiver, K98k is now worth upwards toward $600? Really?    That was more like a $250 rifle, I am getting too old, or prices have just gone nuts.

Libertytreecollector's description

QUOTE

Serial number #7922I (Price $650) This offering is for the pictured Czech K98 Mauser Rifle. Maker marked from the Czech Brno arsenals, we understand this type to be a post war arsenal build of left over wartime parts.

Good condition overall, serial numbers match bolt to receiver, the only numbered parts. Military crest is removed from the receivers top, blued finish with wear mostly on the muzzle area and sharp edges. Stock and hand guard are sound laminated with no obvious German proofs, no provision for a cleaning rod and an ink number on the left side. Features the large winter trigger guard.

Chambered in 8mm Mauser the bore is brite and excellent. Import marked.

END OF QUOTE

 

source: https://www.libertytreecollectors.com/p ... dcategory=

This link has been removed due to age. This was the former source of the information and eight photos presented below. These provide a nice record of a Czech scrubbed k98k with a winter trigger guard. This is a inactive listing, hence the pictures were removed.

[72 usmc]

 

Israeli K98k's A Review

 

Israel used the WW II surplus K98k as a primary battle rifle. Their War of Independence in 1948 used the Ex Nazi surplus 8mm K98k's as well as many other rifles. Later this was the favored rifle and it was used into the 1970's by reservists.

 I provide two references. An interesting write up on the K98k in Israeli service is found here- it is fantastic reference:

German 98k Rifle in Israeli Service

DECEMBER 14, 2015  by JWH1975

https://wwiiafterwwii.wordpress.com/2015/12/14/german-98k-rifle-in-israeli-service/

https://web.archive.org/web/20180814233534/https://wwiiafterwwii.wordpress.com/2015/12/14/german-98k-rifle-in-israeli-service/

Another reference is found in a magazine issue of MILITARY SURPLUS Magazine : 2018, number 202, by Athlon Publications. See pages 104-112. Israeli K98s: How the fledgling Jewish state found an unlikely ally from behind the iron curtain by Darrin Weaver. The author presents great pictures with views of the Israeli equipment like the bayonet, sling, and cleaning kits.  Back issues are available, just contact the publisher. Here is a link to an online copy (this is a slightly different format than the magazine):

https://www.tactical-life.com/guns/rifles/israeli-k98-rifles/

 

Huge Surplus Market

There is a huge surplus rifle market of the WW II German made, the Post  War Czech rebuilt and new manufactured, as well as the FN Belgian manufactured Israeli K98 Mausers. Many versions can be found at gun shows around 2006-2012. The hardest to find specimens are intact 8mm Mausers that have not been converted to 7.62 NATO. These still have the German markings intact, although some may have their Nazi marks obliterated. An ex Nazi K98 with an Israeli proof is a very hard find and may lack import marks. I cannot really describe these because I have never actually seen one in person.

Generally, there are two broad categories of Israeli K98k’s found in the US. First, the impossible to find ones still in 8mm, with German codes and proofs, and second, the ones actually seen at gun shows -- the Nato 7.62 conversions or 7.62 FN made Israeli K98s. Both are stamped "7.62" at the forward top edge of the receiver and this  mark is also burned into the stock heal. Some of these rifles may not have import marks, but most do. The 7.62 NATO converted Israeli Mausers include Czechoslovakian rebuilt varieties and those manufactured in the NATO caliber by FN, Belgian during 1952-1953. There are Czech refurbished Ex-German WW II rifles and Czech built K98k's that have a German factory code on the receiver, but are stamped "CESKOSLOVENSKA ZBROJOVKA, A.S. BRNO" on the left side rail.

A harder to find and desirable rifle type is the Czech rifle with the Rampant Lion crest. The most common type is the FN K98 with the IDF crest that was actually made in 7.62 NATO, but as a safety factor is still stamped "7.62" on the receiver and heel of the beechwood stock. The Israeli K98 rifles in their service went through an Israeli rebuild program that converted the 8mm rifles into updated 7.62 NATO rifles. Any 8mm K98k was updated with a new barrel and magazine assembly to use 7.62 Nato ammo. These rifles were still in use during the 1973 Yom Kippur war. In the mid 1980s Israeli Mausers started to show up on the surplus market. I saw most around the late 1990s and into the 2000s. An ad for the Gibbs Rifle Company offered a mix of these models around 1999-2000. See Surplus Firearms magazine, volume VII, 2000; the front inside cover's full page ad lists a variety of Israeli Mausers. The advertisement indicates they are imprinted with "7.62" on the receiver ring and have manufacturers markings as follows: "WW II with German Waffen codes, WW I  with German Imperial markings, post WW II Cezch with Rampant Lion Crest, and post WW II FN Herstal with the IDF Israeli crest. “

 

Century Arms International (CAI) and Southern Ohio Guns (SOG) offered the NATO 7.62 Israeli Mausers around 2001-2003 for $250-300 in the US market. However, some of the really nice ones with like new condition started appearing at shows in the early 1970s and these were about 80 bucks. These came from Armscorp and Hunters Lodge. These were very early exports- the best of the best.

Hunter 1962  ad 3 web source

 

Later, Navy Arms (NA) offered surplus K98 rifles in the early 1990s. Around 2004-2006, I began to see the really beat Century Arms International (CAI) examples that originated from Guatemala. Rifles exported from Guatemala show the effects of long use in a humid jungle environment. The primary identifying attirbute is an overall very poor condition. Barrels are sewer pipes. The wood is cracked, beat, dented, rotten and has a dragged behind a tractor look about it. The metal has no blue, is well worn, and rust pitted. Most do not headspace on a FIELD .308 Forster gauge. Barrels are dark and poor at best, chambers can be rusty. Bolts do not match. What follows is a review of the easily found Israeli K98ks at gun shows. I will review what attributes help identify each type.

 

 

Czechoslovakian Refurbished Ex-German WW II K98k

 

These are 8mm mauser, Ex Nazi, German made WW II abandoned/captured/scrapped K98k surplus rifle that the Czechs refurbished a wee bit to make them serviceable for combat. There is no 7.62 Nato conversion or "7.62" stampings on the rifle. These did not get subjected to the rebuild program. They are basically still German WW II Mausers with their receiver code, date, proofs and original barrels intact. These can have the Israeli proof marks; the star with a Hebrew letter J inside, or a circle with a odd looking Y (Hebrew Tsiyon) inside this circle. These proofs are found generally located on the left side of the receiver.

 Israeli side marks 

All other markings are German. There is no BRNO factory code on the rail, just the German "Mod 98" . The stock is German with the bolt take down washer and cupped butt plate. Most of the small parts match the rifle and retain their German proof stampings. These ex WW II K98k rifles have no Czechoslovak markings. The only attribute that helps identify these are the Israeli proofs and the possible original Israeli sling. The Israeli K98 sling is very similar to the German K98 sling except for brass hardware and the brass slide buckle with the circle stamp with a Hebrew character inside the circular stamp. Some have sewn on buckles (early ones), but later slings will have two rivets holding on the buckle. The rifle has the same looking blue as a German bring back rifle. They actually look like bring backs to me, except for the Israel star and the y in a circle (Iserali stamped proofs) on the left side of the rifle's receiver. The best find is an Israeli proofed K98k still in 8mm mauser with its Nazi markings intact. Some have no import mark. Swastikas and waffenampts may be pinged out or left intact.

 

 

Czechoslovakian Built K98k with Ex-German Parts

 

These have late dates and German receiver codes, but are the Post-War BRNO factory manufactured K98k rifles. Most of these are made from left over German parts. These have a number of different receiver codes such as dot 44, dot 45, and swp 45. More codes may exist. The one I saw at a show had a normal trigger guard and magazine. I do not remember much else about these. These can be found in 8mm mauser, but most have been converted to 7.62 NATO. They have late war features but are not marked with the BRNO factory marking, it is an early built rifle utilizing left over German surplus receivers. I just have not seen these at gun shows, therefore cannot provide more descriptive attributes. The key to its identification is the fact that it still has a German receiver, no Brno factory stampings on the rail, a normal trigger and magazine, and a normal German stock or a stock that may be lacking the stock washer.

 

 

Czechoslovakian Built K98k "CESKOSLOVENSKA ZBROJOVKA, A.S. BRNO" ARTIC Czech K98

 

I believe these were made after 1948 and differ from the original German K98 in that the magazine was made of stamped steel and did not have a removable floor plate. It utilized the larger stamped, winter trigger guard, a beech wood stock lacking a cleaning rod hole, a bolt take down hole in the butt plate, stamped & welded late war style bands, a band spring, a Post War Czech barrel, and no dirty birds or waffenamt markings. The left side rail will have "CESKOSLOVENSKA ZBROJOVKA, A.S. BRNO" stamped on it. The receiver markings can vary, the receiver could have the Czechoslovakian, Rampant Lion crest on Israeli examples (a type of its own discussed later); be sterile- no crest, yet have a 7.62 stamp on the receiver (most are non Israeli specimens called the winter/arctic trigger guard K98); or the post war marked DOU 45, SWP 45 on Israeli examples. The sterile receivers can be finely ground smooth and reblued or can be roughly ground showing milling lines around the receiver. I have seen a scrubbed receiver stamped “7.62" , but I am not sure if they exist as Israeli property marked rifles? Many variations exist of these Czech made K98 rifles. Israeli  K98 rifles vary in their combinations of parts utilized and their receiver markings. Most will have late war features. The key attribute is the Winter/Arctic large trigger guard and the markings on the left rail for "CESKOSLOVENSKA ZBROJOVKA, A.S. BRNO". There will also be Israeli proof marks. Most examples seen at gun shows will be converted 7.62 Nato examples. The receiver will have the "7.62" stamped at the top edge of the receiver above the Rampant lion crest or above the lower edge marked with dou/swp45 markings. If the receiver has a dou 45, German code, the 7.62 stamp can be placed near the middle or more likely more toward the top edge of the receiver well above the code marking. In addition, the stock was stamped or burned in with a large "7.62" on the left side or heal of the stock. The hardest example to find would be the Rampant Lion crest with or without the "7.62" stamp on the receiver, it is easier to find an Israeli "7.62" stamped K98k marked dou 45 or swp 45. The post war marked dou/swp 45 and the Rampant Lion marked rifles are a rare find and will cost more than an FN 7.62 Belgian made Israeli K98k.

 

I recently (2018) found an example of a 7.62 NATO converted, post war, Czech built K98k. Another SRF post by vandle from August 2017, his post Israeli K98 shows an example here (an old SRF Post) :  

https://web.archive.org/web/20190203211714/http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=1131

For more information, also view the Cruffler Review from 2001:

http://www.cruffler.com/review-January-01.html

https://web.archive.org/web/20190207191314/http://www.cruffler.com/review-January-01.html

 

 

MY 7.62 NATO Israeli Converted, Post War, Czech K98k, German Code dou 45

 

My specimen is shown below. I provided a photo overview of my Israeli K98k dou 45.

Photos  folder 1  K98K dou 45 LM 20 photos

 

Here is a discussion of the attributes found on my Mod 98, dou 45 rifle. This one was made from left over and newly made stamped parts-- winter trigger guard and stock. This one has a German receiver with markings "Mod. 98", "dou. 1945" and is not one of the common Czech K98s exhibiting the winter trigger guard and scrubbed top receiver. At the very upper edge of the receiver above Mod. 98 is deeply stamped "7.62". The receiver markings and Nazi inspection markings remain intact on most parts. However, the only matching numbers are found on the receiver and the bolt. The bolt does not match itself.

The 8mm barrel was rebarreled to a 7.62 NATO barrel on 8/56 and it lacks any original German barrel codes. If you look on the right side of the barrel, you will see the "8/56" date stamp, an "arrow" and also see a “7.62" stamp. The left side of the receiver has a Czech firing proof on the barrel and two Israeli proofs: the nun inside a star and the Hebrew letter Tsiyon (a Y inside a circle) positioned below the original receiver's serial number. No additional dot matrix, importer serial number has been applied. In fact, this rifle has no import markings on it.

The left rail is marked "CESKOSLOVENSKA ZBROJOVKA, A.S. BRNO".

Curiously, the sight base displays Nazi inspection markings. Likewise the bolt pieces and the stock bolt still retain their Nazi markings. This rifle has the stamped winter trigger guard and an Israeli Beech stock with late war features. The postwar Beech replacement stock is typical of these late 1950 Israeli conversions in having a bayo. lug, but no bolt takedown disk or cleaning rod. In fact, it is not even drilled for a cleaning rod. It has a late war leaf spring that holds both the stamped lower band and the milled upper band. It has a cupped buttplate with a bolt take down hole in it. The heal of the stock has a large 7.62 deeply burned into the wood.

This CZ made K98k is a total miss match of German and some Israeli parts (stock and buttplate). It has a four digit serial number with a J letter code below the serial number, an excellent bore, and a well used and oil darkened stock. Headspace is perfect. It is a 1956 Israeli NATO rebuild that has a late Israeli K98 style sling with brass fittings and sling loop. The buckle is brass with a hebrew letter stamped on it and the frosch has a brass button. The sling is not sewn, but has 2 large brass rivets holding on the buckle. The rifle has no defaced Swastikas most likely because the 8mm barrel and original laminated stock has been replaced. There is no IDF crest. This K98k is a product the Israeli program to rebuild, rechamber, and update their 8mm K98s to 7.62 Nato.

 

 

 

————

by BilgeRatMilitaria  SRF  Fri Nov 19, 2021

Israeli 7.62, 1939, 42 Code With Defaced Nazi Markings

Posted on SRF in 2021,  BRM adds…need some help with my K98. So, Based in it's '42' marking and it's 1939 date I know that it was made by Mauser, Obendorf in 1939. I also know that it's one of the Israel K98's that has been rechambered into 7.62x51. But what I'm trying to figure out is how it made it's way to Israel. It doesn't fit the common signs of a Russian Capture. I know it's not a Czech made post war gun. My best guess is a Czech capture that's had some slight rebuilding?
Key features:
.'42' stamp
.1939 build date
.7.62 stamp above the '42' stamp and burned under stock
.Dirty Bird on left hammered out with several strikes
.Star of David and other Israeli proof marks
.3 Dirty Birds stamped out on right with multiple strikes
.Mod.98 stamped on left rail
.Stock with serial number only stamped under the barrel. Has Bolt take down Ring and flat butt plate with German proofs
.Winter trigger with stamped one piece magazine plate
.Front sight hood
.Has bayonet lug, and the stock seems to be drilled for cleaning rod
.Bolt handle had serial but the rest doesn't.
.No import marks or electric pencil markings that I can see.
.10-56 R "D" 7.62 and and Arrow stamped onto barrel under the handguard
.German proofs under rear sight with non match serial # I think that's the main points. Take a look at the pictures. Again, any input is greatly appreciated! Thanks guys -Sean The cost was $300.

by 72usm Fri Nov19,2021

That is a mixmaster of parts on that 42 code k98k by Mauser Oberndorf. The nazi markings are really defaced. Czechoslovakia supplied tons of all sorts of captured/left over German arms & ammunition to Israeli people in their fight for a nation in 1947 & 1948. Yours is one that most likely came in as an 8mm that was later converted. Others were later made in .308. The best ones to obtain are Israeli K98ks still in 8mm that failed to get converted.

Your example certainly looks like it came from the Guatemala hoard of K98s that hit the market around 2002-2006. Early imports were in the mid 1960s by Interarmms . Does yours have an import mark?

As I had stated....Your IDF mauser is most likely one of the Israeli K98s exported to Guatemala. Almost all were the .308 conversion not the IDF 8mm Mauser version. Ones in 8mm from 1947-49 are a great find. The Guatemala hoard was obtained by importers in the US in the early 2000 and started showing up at gun shows around 2002 and later. Like Nam bring backs, these IDF Mausers suffered in the humid South American jungle climate and most from the Guatemala imports are seen in very poor condition- both the stock and the metal have suffered effects. Bores fared worse. Does your rifle have a Century (CAI)   or PW import mark? Gibbs also had these. Generally the crown and muzzle as well as the chamber condition is reflected on what you observe on the outside. I cannot tell if it has the cleaning rod hole drilled like a normal K98k or is a later put together lacking the cleaning rod - a Post war fabrication?  Thank you for that fine example and all the photos. If possible could you please show the import mark.  I Found it, some interesting information on this forum:

Conclusion, it is a capture and not a post war rebuild.  See this interesting reference post :

https://www.ar15.com/forums/armory/-/14-522062/?page=1

 

Reply by BilgeRatMilitaria Fri Nov 19, 2021

With all of the info I read and the markings mine has it made me lean towards a legit WWII German gun that was a Czech capture/rebuild based on the mixed serial numbers and lack of Czech stamps. There are no import marks that I can find anywhere on the rifle! Under the handguard the barrel looks fantastic and the stock is in good shape. The muzzle and bore both are in good condition as well.

I did get this at a gun show probably around 10-13 years ago and always assumed it was a Russian Capture just based on the little I had read on it. But after doing more research it's very obvious it's not! I really just wanted to consult you expert's and get it's true history.

 

72 usmc reply

I would venture to guess that is an early Interterms 1960 import lacking the import mark; not a later rifle from the Guatemala hoard due to no import mark and the great barrel condition under the wood and its clean distinct rifling. Definitely not an RC. What would have been fantastic is if it was still in 8mm Mauser with the Israeli markings. Still a very nice rifle. Thanks for posting that specimen.

The Israelis had acquired whatever surplus Mauser 98 rifles they could get their hands on in the late 1940s and early/mid 1950s, along with ordering batches of new production M1930s from FN and new production VZ98Ns from Czechoslovakia. Then starting in the mid/late 1950s, the various Mauser 98s that the Israelis had on hand were converted to 7.62 NATO and standardized into K98k-style configuration. So in addition to the surplus WW2 German K98k rifles and postwar production FN and Czech rifles that make up the vast majority of 7.62 NATO caliber IDF Mausers, you'll also occasionally see one made from another Mauser receiver. 

 

 

[72 usmc]

 

FN Belgian Contract Israeli 7.62 K98k with IDF Crest

 

Back around 2010, I would always see these at gun shows, the trick was to find one in great condition. Below is a photo of an early import, late 1980s near mint example.

The Belgian contract K98ks are made by Fabrique National, FN Belgian and is a new made rifle. It is not fabricated with surplus German parts. Hence, no German proofs or Nazi markings are present on the rifle. These are said to have been made in 1952 and are chambered in 7.62 NATO. They are not 8mm converted to 7.62 Nato K98s. I was lucky to find a farily nice late import specimen. Some of the attributes on my example include the following. The most obvious attribute is the IDF crest with 7.62 stamped above it on the receiver. The stock is beech wood with no cleaning rod channel cut for a cleaning rod. There is no cleaning rod with this K98. In large numbers, "7.62" is also burned/branded into the heal of the stock. The stock has a metal cupped butt plate with a take down hole in the plate. There is no take down washer on the stock. These generally have an Israeli made German K98 style sling. Its sling fittings are brass. No German WW II markings are visible on my example. On the left side are two Hebrew letters above the serial number- the Tsadik and nunn. The left rail is marked "FAB. NAT. D'ARMES de GUERRE" and below this is "HERSTAL-BELGIQUE". On some of the first early surplus rifle imports ( 1980s-1990s), the condition was almost like new, unissued.  Not too many came into the US. The example shown above does not have an enlarger winter trigger guard and the floor plate is milled and removable. On later imports attributes differed, my specimen came with a non removable, stamped floor plate and no yellow tag on the stock. 

Below are five photos showing the attributes found on FN Israeli Mausers.

IDF Crest 

 

Stock 7.62 burn 

 

Task nun photo 

 

Israeli Tsadik nunn photo REC & Rail Markings

 

 yellow decal IDF

 

The FN variety can have either a non removable stamped or removable milled floor plate. Most of the later FN rifles had the stamped floor plate and winter trigger guard. Only the early versions seem to have had milled parts and actually retain the yellow inspector tag. These were basically in unissued condition. It is a very rare find in 2022, to actually stumble onto one of these in such great condition. Most are all in collector’s hands.

Both versions have the small lock screws to hold the trigger guard's main screws. The rear band has a sling bar on the left side. Some of these rifles that came into the US must have been unissued excess surplus from Israel. Only a few specimens that are in really nice shape have a yellow decal. This is an Israeli inspection sticker attached to the left side of the butt stock. Like most used rifles, my inspection tag is missing, but it left a mark on the stock where it is was originally located.

 

My FN Belgian Contract Israeli 7.62 K98k with IDF Crest and Rack Number 11

 

My recently acquired well used, FN rifle is shown in the photos provided below.  (Rack number 11 in white paint):

13 photos:

 

More photos of the same FN, sling

 

If I remember correctly, the unissued lsraeli FN Mausers first appeared around the late 1980s. They came out of Israel and were imported by Armscorp Imports and most were like new, mint rifles with the yellow inspection decals. Much later, sometime around 2004, Century Arms International imported a bunch out of Guatemala. These are really well used FN rifles. This later batch from Century Arms are very well worn and have seen long use in service, most have sewer pipe bores. A key attribute for identification is the beat, worn out, dragged behind a truck overall condition; think about finding the most beat Mauser you have ever seen and you got the idea. These are generally in worse condition than a common Turk Mauser. These CAI, FN K98ks can be easily seen displayed on a rack two rows away at a show. When you work your way over to the table,  you then can pick up an old war dog k98 from the rack and look for the above mentioned attributes. Check the bore and check the bolt's head space. You may be lucky and find one in fair condition. My example shown above is one of the better ones. It has a good bore and nice patina to the metal and wood.  Its metal surface has a nice "handled" gray patina like an old tractor wrench from the 1930s.

Israeli Mausers can be a mixed bag of different types and many different versions exist. When fist were imported, they were cheep at around $80 a rifle. Some of the early imports lack import marks and are in great condition. Israeli K98ks rifles were sold by Hunter's Lodge and Navy Arms.

 

FN Mausers and the Fight for Israel

by Anthony Vanderlinden -  posted on the web Friday, October 2018 is a magazine article in American Rifleman. The author provides a picture of some of the many versions of Israeli Mausers and some interesting views of Receiver markings on Israeli FN Mausers.

FN Mausers And The Fight For Israel

 Source:     https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/fn-mausers-and-the-fight-for-israel/

Here is a Wayback Machine Archive of this same article:    https://web.archive.org/web/20200422084644/https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2018/10/19/fn-mausers-and-the-fight-for-israel/

 

————————

 

Dec 19, 2019

Israeli K98k Mauser .22 Caliber Trainer Rifle

Some  Screen Shots of a Libertytreecollector’s rifle; an interesting FN Training rifle in .22 caliber.

Here is a .22 cal. K98k trainer that is an FN Israeli marked K98k offered by Libertytreecollectors back in 2019. This link will go inactive, but this is the source of quote and all photos of this fantastic K98k.  Ya, 900+ bucks   This price was high for 2019, but now you can easily double its value. These are never seen at auctions or shows.

https://www.libertytreecollectors.com/p ...  The original source is gone, the photos removed. They are preserved here.

The Libertytreecollertor’s description:

QUOTE

Serial number #1769 This offering is for the pictured Israeli K98 Mauser .22 Caliber Training Rifle. In very good looking condition, maker marked from FN, Fabrique Nationale Belgium on military contract.

Matching serial numbers bolt to receiver. Standard sized K98, metal has smooth parkerized finish with wear on the barrel muzzle area and trigger guard from use. Single shot bolt action appears mechanically fine.

Sound hardwood stock and hand guard with typical small dings and dents. Marked 0.22 on the right butt.Chambered in .22 rimfire, the bore is brite with very good rifling. Import marked.

END OF QUOTE

14 Photos of this fine example:

 

 

This is one fine .22 cal trainer, but its value is off the charts. A true rare museum piece. I have never seen one of these at gun shows in the last 30 years- hence its significance.

In the United States, .22 caliber training rifles are an interesting heirloom. They are rather collectable if full size military versions. Most common are the .22 cal trainer, US 1903 Springfield’s. Somewhat common are the British Enfields and Polish Mosins. Less common are the French Mas 36 and the Israeli Mauser’s. All of these are full scale militiary rifles converted to .22 long rifle. All are sought out. There also are a variety of other trainers that look like normal sporting rifles, for example, the U.S. property marked Mossberg Model 44US in .22 Long rifle. Some collectors are odd balls that collect the normal military rifles, but then have to have the .22 cal trainer version, and then add a pellet or BB gun replica version of the same rifle. And I would add a drill rifle of the same version. 

[72 usmc]

 

 

Rampant Lion Crested Israeli K98k Mauser

 

The Czech, Post War K98k with the Rampant Lion crest and the "7.62" stamped above the crest at the forward edge of the receiver is a rare find today. The only ones I have ever seen at shows have been examples that went through the late 1950s, Israeli, 7.62 Nato conversion and have a blued metal with "7.62" stamped on the receiver. I have never seen one lacking the "7.62" receiver stamp while still having some Israeli proof marks on it. It is really lucky to find one of these Rampant Lion crested K98s at a gun show. If you actually see one, you will not like its price.

Some interesting photos are shown on this old Gunboards post, K98 Czech with Rampant Lion Crest from February 2009. This is Jimmy C’s rifle with the same serial number as  SVT 40 on another forum. Most likely this is the same owner.

SOURCE

Source     https://www.gunboards.com/threads/k98-czech-with-rampant-lion-crest.92010/

Rampant Lion

 

I do not own an example of a Rampant Lion Israeli marked K98k. However, the most obvious identification attribute is the deeply roll marked Rampant Lion crest and the "7.62" stamped above the crest. The left side may possibly have a very small Czechoslovakia acceptance lion stamp, but all will have some Israeli inspector proof marks such as a star with a J inside, or a circle with a Y inside. The left side rail will be marked "CESKOSLOVENSKA ZBROJOVKA, A.S. BRNO." Some of these rifles will have the Armscorp import mark "ARMSCORP SLVR SPG MO MOD 98" This is found by the lower rear sight. Generally, the two I actually viewed a long time ago had a stamped matching receiver and bolt and excellent bores. They were excellent specimens. It is much easier to find a Rampant Lion crested VZ 24 than an Israeli marked Rampant Lion crested K98k. These Czech made K98s went through the rebuild program where Israel rebarrelled them to 7.62 NATO. The rifle was rebuilt, restocked, and reblued. Both the receiver and the heel of the stock are marked "7.62". These two specimens had post war Czech made receivers with a small Lion Czech mark on the left side of the receiver.

 

Armscorp Imports Lion Crested Israeli K98k in Unissued Condition

SVT 40 on Calguns.net, February 2013, provides a breathtaking example .

source  https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=706550

He states:      QUOTE

“Here are a few pic's of a similar Lion crested Israeli K98 in unissued condition. Both rifles are Armscorp imports. Back when these were imported I did some work for Armscorp and was able to buy a number of unissued rifles from them.”

END OF QUOTE

 

An original Israeli sight adjustment tool

 

The above photos are from an on line search and is the finest condition example I have seen. I’d love to find one of these in this condition with an  intact yellow tag at a gun show. Rampant Lion Israeli marked K98k rebuilt rifles ended up as a mixture of mismatched or unnumbered parts - however the receiver and bolt matched. These had stamped numbers, no electro written numbers. The floor plates were milled and removable. The rifle had a normal trigger guard - no stamped winter trigger guard. The stocks were replacement beech wood stocks with grasping grooves and had the "7.62" burned deeply into the heel of the stock. Since I do not own an example, I cannot provide any other attributes or finer details about this specific Israeli Mauser. If you see one under $600, buy it. It has been ten years since I have even seen one at a WI gun show.

----------

The next rifle is one of the best examples of a Lion Crest and Beech stock on a 7.62 Israeli K98k you will ever see at a gun show. This one is owned by Vandle on SRF (Israeli Mauser No.2  by Vandle,  Sun May 27, 2018) and here is the source link: 

https://web.archive.org/web/20200904154432/http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=2427

 

Vandel's Lion Crested Israeli K98k:

The Czech, Post War made K98k with the Rampant Lion crest with the "7.62" stamped above the crest at the forward edge of the receiver is a rare find today. We would all have a lucky day if we found one of these and could actually afford to buy it at a gun show. All photos are Vandles. I am reposting some of the pictures here because this example is as good as it gets:

 

 

The quality of the stock patina and wood is fantastic:

 

This concludes my comments about some of the post war Israeli Mausers that can be generally found as surplus rifles at gun shows or auctions in the United States. Of late you rarely see any type of Israeli firearm, availability has dried up.  I am sure there are many more variations and rare specimens I do not know about. I would say the FN made Israeli NATO Mauser is easiest to find with the Israeli proofed K98k still in original 8mm being the hardest to find. The 2004, Century Arms imported Guatemalan Israeli FN Mausers with little blue, out of headspace mismatched bolts, beat stock dogs are more common at recent shows, but these are best avoided due to their poor bores and overall poor condition. Most are wall hangers. Given their worn look, the original owners are dumping these due to their poor performance or dangerous condition. In contrast, most are after a better condition Lion Crested Israeli rifle.

 

[72 usmc]

 

French Captured K98k

 

Two other types of capture, abandoned after WW II and reclaimed K98ks are the French Capture K98 and the Norwegian Capture K98. Both are somewhat hard to come by. It would be a great find at a gun show to stumble onto a fair priced example of either type. One still sees these French rifles at shows, however their price is no longer inexpensive. I own an example of a French Capture K98k. Below are four views of my rifle. (byf 1944)

 

The Attributes

A French capture K98k is best identified by three features not always present on the same rifle. First, the most common attribute is the French altered stock for a French Berthier/Mas sling. Just behind the take down washer on the left side of the German stock, the French cut into the stock’s left side a "U" shaped cutout and added a French sling bar like found on Berthiers. This was done to most K98ks in French service. They apparently did not use a German sling, but preferred their wider French sling. This sling modification is found on all French used K98ks that I have seen at shows. Some rifles are found with German slings and some with a  French slings. You will see an example with a German sling incorrectly attached to the French sling bar. 

Stock Cut and Sling  Bar Addition

 

The second feature found on some rifles is an odd, short, hex shaped stacking rod in place of the German bayonet attachment rod. This hexagonal rod is positioned in place of the bayonet attachment rod and is used for stacking rifles. Mine does not have this feature.

Jimmy C  French stacking Rod

 

The third easy to spot feature is a small French stamped star on the upper receiver or on the left side in front of the serial number. Again mine does not have a French star.

Jimmy C French Star Stamp

Here is a link to comments on French Captures with some great photos provided by Jimmy C on gun boards: SVW MB mauser k98's

https://www.gunboards.com/threads/svw-mb-mauser-k98s.199523/

 

 

Hollowpoint67's French Capture K98k,  possible 237 193?

Here is an additional specimen with some great photos of a French Capture K98k  by hollowpoint67, posted in September 2017 on the K98 Forum.

This rifle is not matching and has a miss matched bolt. Its one French attribute is the modification to the stock. French Modifications were not applied to the stacking rod or the addition of the French Star stamp on the left side of the receiver.

Source:

https://www.k98kforum.com/threads/french-capture-k98k.28471/

 

Hollowpoint67 Rifle 

 

No French star mark on the left side

 

No hex french stacking rod added

 

I admit that I do not know much about these rifles. Some of the examples are basically German K98s with the addition of the French altered sling bar and stock cut. Some have two of these above mentioned attributes, some all three. My example appears to be a surplus WW II rifle that was checked for function and had little French modifications other than the stock modification and some restamping of serial numbers to the bolt. My French capture K98k is a byf 44 with a stamped trigger guard and stamped, removable floor plate, each is marked byf. The bands are unmarked, stamped and welded, late war style. It came with an original German sling, cleaning rod, and sight hood. The original 8mm barrel matches the receiver and the bolt is force matched. The bolt flat and bolt sleeve have been ground and renumbered to match by restamped numbers. The font does not match the receiver's German font. In addition, the cocking piece is force matched by using the same 3 digit serial number except that on the cocking piece, it is electro written. This is the only evidence of electro writing on the rifle. The safety lever has been ground, but not renumbered. The action has not been out of the wood so I do not know the other markings. Stock finish is original, but dark from use. Dirty birds remain intact. So my specimen is basically an intact German K98k. The only French modification to this rifle appears to be the addition of the French sling cut and the modification to German mismatched bolt. The French ground and renumbered the bolt to match the receiver rather than leaving a mismatched bolt. So the French did alter serial numbers to match the rifles. The few examples that I have seen do not show evidence of pinged Nazi markings. I am sure many variations exist. In sum, the most obvious trait for identification is the French altered sling cut.

 

An Example of a French Capture

French Capture, Mod 98, SVW MB 1945

These are the attributes commonly seen on a French Capture. This one sold recently, see the source link and a few pictures taken in order to document the attributes of a French CaptureK98k . The source of all pictures is the K98 link shown below. Pictures are reposted so they are fixed if the link disappears. 

Source:

https://pre98.com/shop/very-rare-post-war-french-svw-mb-98k-mauser-rifle/

The description from pre 98

QUOTE

“A VERY RARE AND SELDOM EVER SEEN 1945 PRODUCTION POST WAR FRENCH 98K RIFLE WITH THE RARE SVW MB CODE  THE RIFLE IS WAFFENAMTED AND STAR PROOFED AS WELL. THESE RIFLES WERE MADE TO THE FRENCH TASTE IN SERVICE RIFLES WITH THE FRENCH STACKING ROD AND SLING ARRANGEMENT WHICH GIVES  THESE RIFLES A VERY DISTINCTIVE LOOK FOR A 98K. THESE RIFLES WERE ACTUALLY COMBAT USED IN INDO CHINA BY UNITS INCLUDING THE FRENCH FOREIGN LEGION. THEY WERE ALSO USED BY THE WEST GERMAN BORDER GUARDS AS WELL, SO THEY HAVE A GOOD HISTORY OF COLD WAR SERVICE.”

END OF QUOTE

 

 

 

French Capture K98k bnz 1944, Serial Number 4561 ,All Matching

 

WW I fan on Gunboards posted a all matching example of a French Capture re work (with many great close ups-a well documented specimen) :The source is from the Gunboards Reference Library. This is a  must see Source:

https://www.gunboards.com/threads/post-war-k98-of-the-week-22-ww1-fan-bnz4-french-rework.234274/?id=234274

See the Wayback Machine Archive for intact photos:

https://web.archive.org/web/20160508081058/http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?234274

Please note this above specimen is also missing two attributes. The rifle has no French Star proof stamp, nor the French added hex stacking rod. The only French modification to this French capture K98k was the stock sling cut and sling bar addition.

 

 

 

ofd291's  French Capture K98k ,  svw MB 1945, Serial Number 4797

Here is a nice addition that is well photo documented by its owner (ofd291). Oddly most of the French Capture specimens fail to have import marks. These are mostly all matching K98k rifles except for maybe one or two replacement parts added to bring the rifle into serviceable condition during the French Rebuild. Sometimes the complete bolt or the bolt body matches, other times it may have a missmatched bolt on the rifle.  Miss matched bolts are common on k98k German WWII bring backs in the US. Generally the bolt matches itself.

Source:

https://www.gunboards.com/threads/wts-french-svw-mb-k98.1178861/#post-10591555

 As a form of a summary of the main attributes that identify a French Capture K98k, please note the attributes on the ofd291 specimen:
1) A mostly still German K98k with most numbers all matching, oddly a German sling instead of a French Mas 36 sling

 

2) French altered stock for Mas 36 French sling, note, added sling bar & U shaped cut

 

3) French Star stamped on the left side of the receiver

4) French added, hex shaped, stacking rod

Many more pictures are viewable at the source link.

[Fritz]

After 1950 the West German government purchased a quantity of K98s from France at a very high cost, these were for the Bundesgrenzschutz, etc. They are now used by the Wachbataillon of the Bundeswehr in Berlin for ceremonial and representative purposes. They were also used by the Betriebskampfgruppen and Kasernierte Volkspolizei in the DDR for many years, these were from Russian sources.

The Bundeswehr trying to be what they are not.

[72 usmc]

 

Norwegian K98k in 30-06

 

These are really hard to find and the price is sky high. I saw one of these at a gun show about 15 years ago. I do not own an example so no fine details will be discussed. There is a nice review of the Norwegian K98 in the Milsurps.com Knowledge Library by Badger with photos by Claven2. Badger’s reviews direct search look for: 1943 Norwegian K98k (.30-06) Mauser Rifle (Mfg by J.P. Sauer und Sohn)by Badger;

Source:

https://www.milsurps.com/content.php?r=251-1943-Norwegian-K98k-(.30-06)-Mauser-Rifle-(Mfg-by-J.P.-Sauer-und-Sohn)

The Wayback Machine Archive link:

https://web.archive.org/web/20201021222528/https://www.milsurps.com/content.php?r=251-1943-Norwegian-K98k-(.30-06)-Mauser-Rifle-(Mfg-by-J.P.-Sauer-und-Sohn)

Here is the major portion of the Badger article for those with older computers where the link does not work.

QUOTE

“The K98k was the primary infantry rifle for the German Wehrmacht during World War II. The "k" is for Kurz, which means "short" in German. Norway was occupied by German forces throughout the bulk of the war and when the Reich surrendered to allied forces in 1945, General Franz Böhme announced the unconditional surrender of German troops in Norway on May 7, the same day as Jodl signed the unconditional surrender document on behalf of the Third Reich, Hitler having committed suicide several days earlier. When the surrender came there were no fewer than 400,000 German troops in Norway, which at that time had a population of barely 4 million. It has been estimated that on the order of 300,000 to 350,000 K98k rifles were turned in to Norwegian authorities.

When the war concluded, the Norwegian government had no organized armed forces to speak of, and even fewer arms than men, mostly outdated Krag Jorgensen rifles. On the other hand, vast quantities of Wehrmacht equipment was readily available and Norway wisely chose to adopt most of it for its own use. In fact, there were far more K98k rifles available than there were men in the Norwegian armed forces, so a number of rifles were broken down for spares. Serial number and maker code observations tend to support the theory that approximately 200,000 to 250,000 rifles were made serviceable, while the remainder were scrapped for spare parts. The latest codes one are likely to encounter date to 1943, and as such, it can be safely assumed that the late-war production rifles in Norway were among the first rifles to be parted out, the production quality of the barrels and receivers having been sacrificed to the exigencies of war. Additionally, when one encounters replaced parts on earlier vintage rifles refurbished in Norway, the liklihood of finding late-war parts used as replacement is exceedingly high.

Initially, Norway issued the rifles in the original 8mm Mauser chambering. At the close of the 1940's, however, Norway found itself increasingly under the US-dominated western sphere of political influence. A byproduct of this political reality was that the United States was ready to make available quantities of military materiel to it's Norwegian allies, including huge quantities of .30-06 ammunition. As the stocks of captured German ammunition were rapidly being depleted, it made sense to adopt the .30-06 cartridge as a new standard. Beginning in 1953, as rifles were returned to the Kongsberg arms depot, re-barrelled eaxamples in .30-06 were issued to replace them in service. By the end of 1954, all the K98k rifles in service with the Army (HÆR) and Air Force (FLY) would have been issued in .30-06, while the Navy (KNM) retained the original 8x57JS chambering to completely deplete existing stores of ammunition. Other groups within Norway also received .30-06 converted K98k with their own branch markings, but these are exceedingly rare today.

 

Here is a complete list:

HÆR....... Hæren (Army)

HV......... Heimevernet (rough equivalent of the National Guard)

FLY......... Flyvåpenet (Air Force)

KNM....... Kongelige Norske Marine (Navy)

K.ART..... Kistartilleriet (Coastal Artillery)

NSB....... Norges Statsbaner (Norwegian State Railway Police)

POLITI.... Polizia (Department of Justice & Police)

 

Changes made during the .30-06 conversion entailed:

- Re-barrelling in 7.62mm (.30-06),

- Altering the rear sight ladder to a "U" notch,

- Altering the front sight to a square post instead of an inverted V and altering its height to correspond to .30-06 balistics,

- Lengthening the trigger guard magazine well to accommodate the .30-06 round,

- Milling a half-moon cut into the rear of the receiver ring to accommodate .30-06 spitzer ammunition,

- Milling a flat into the side of the receiver ring to accommodate branch of service markings and a new serial number,

- Canceling out of the old German serial number and adding Norwegian firing proofs,

- Extending the mag well mill cut in the stock,

- Re-seriallizing the bolt handle root and the butt-plate to match the new serial number,

- Installing a dowel through the dish cut are of the stock to re-inforce the trigger mill cut web of the stock due to increased recoil,

- Reblueing the rifle and adding a thin coat of varnish to the stock wood. Wood was also lightly sanded if deemed necessary.

After the United States adopted the 7.62x51mm (7.62 NATO) Nato standard round, Norway experimented with converting their Mauser K98k stocks to 7.62 NATO as well. Many of the barrels were manufactured, but only a few thousand rifles were ever converted before Norway decided (in 1966) to relegate the K98k to war reserve and adopt the AG-3, a version of the H&K G3 battle rifle in 7.62 NATO. 7.62 NATO K98k Mausers from Norway are not commonly encountered today, though several retail outlets in the US have sold batches of the 7.62mm NATO barrels manufactured for the planned and subsequently cancelled conversion effort.

After the 7.62 NATO version was officially patterned and adopted in limited numbers, the nomenclature changed to K98kF2 for the 7.62 NATO version of the rifle and K98kF1 for the .30-06 version. The last of these mausers was relegated to war reserve in approximately 1973 and sold off stocks began to appear on the North American surplus markets in the early 1980's. No Norwegian Mauser rifles are likely to appear on the primary retail market again, as all remaining rifles are being destroyed as part of Norway's participation in a United Nations arms non-proliferation treaty."

END OF QUOTE

A photo overview by Claaven 2 ’s Norwegian rifle is shown here direct search title: 1943 Norwegian K98k Mauser Rifle

1943 Norwegian K98k (.30-06) Mauser Rifle (Mfg by J.P. Sauer und Sohn)

https://imageevent.com/badgerdog/cgnmilsurpknowledgebase/1943norwegiank98k3006mauserrifl

 

Around 1952 Norway switched to the 30-06 caliber and the Nazi K98 rifles left in Norway were rebuilt and rechambered to 30-06. Specific details are mentioned by Badger in the above reference. The key attribute is that the rifle was rebarrelled with modifications to other parts of the rifle to accommodate the use of the 30-06 cartridge. It should be noted that stock modifications occurred due to the lengthening the trigger guard mag well for a longer cartridge and placement of a dowel to reenforce stock. Hence, it is easy to spot a Norwegian stock utilized as a replacement stock on a German k98. Stewarts Military Antiques sells some Norwegian Mauser parts and stocks are generally offered.

 

The best trait to identify a Norwegian K98k is the difference in the receiver shape and barrel markings on the left side of the rifle. On a rebuilt 30-06, K98, the barrel is marked "KAL 7.62 M/M" , below this in slightly smaller font is "30 - 06". This is seen on the left side with the 30-06 marking at the wood line. On the round receiver on the left side above the original German serial number there is a milled flat spot continuing the length of the receiver. On this flat is stamped the Norwegian branch of service (1 of 7 possible branches) that the rifle belongs to and a new Norwegian serial number. For example "HAER-- 565". There are two serial numbers present on the rifle: the original German # and the new Norwegian serial number. In addition, the original German receiver codes remain intact on the top of the receiver. The bolt is ground and restamped to force match the rebuilt rifle to the new Norwegian serial number found on the receiver's flat. This Norwegian serial number is also applied to the back of the butt plate. However, the floor plate and trigger guard still retain the original German serial number on the receiver. They do not match the new Norwegian serial number found on the receiver flat. Likewise, most of the other parts as well as the barrel bands will match the original German serial number including the stock. You do not see line outs or electropencil marks on 30-06 Norwegian K98ks. Slings on these rifles are WW II German. See a fine example of a Norwegian K98k with excellent photo documentation at the Libertytreecollectors Reference Library:

https://www.libertytreecollectors.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=728

 

So in summary, the receiver markings are the best attribute to identify a rare Norwegian K98k. It's the only K98k with a flat ground onto the left side of the receiver. If you actually see one, you best buy it, I still regret not buying the one I saw at a WI show. For finer points and a discussion of additional attributes, I refer you to Badger's excellent article. Link is here, a direct search title is: 1943 Norwegian K98k (.30-06) Mauser Rifle (Mfg by J.P. Sauer und Sohn) by Badger

https://www.milsurps.com/content.php?r=251-1943-Norwegian-K98k-(.30-06)-Mauser-Rifle-(Mfg-by-J.P.-Sauer-und-Sohn)

This reference is also saved on the Wayback Machine Archive.

Source:

https://web.archive.org/web/20201021222528/https://www.milsurps.com/content.php?r=251-1943-Norwegian-K98k-(.30-06)-Mauser-Rifle-(Mfg-by-J.P.-Sauer-und-Sohn)

---------------

For additional discussion and photos there is a post on SRF, its title is  Norwegian k98s and can be found on the Wayback Archive. The forum is gone and original link dead. viewtopic.php?f=13&t=252 

The Wayback Machine Archive link  for the above SRF source is:

https://web.archive.org/web/20200811035515/http://surplusrifleforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=252

 

A second forum post is also lost, but was saved to the Wayback Archive, Norwegian capture k98s on the AK forum now has a dead link: http://www.theakforum.net/forums/49-eas ... k98-s.html   However, this post was saved on the Wayback Archive.

The Wayback Machine Archive source is
https://web.archive.org/web/20170515042659/http://www.theakforum.net/forums/49-eastern-bloc-curio-relics/118574-norwegian-capture-k98-s.html

Quotes from above  AK link have been provided below.  See Dan parts 1 & 2. This is a rather lengthy discussion about Norwegian rifles with some interesting facts reproduced in part here.

Norwegian Capture K98’s

QUOTE

“I have two of them, both in excellent condition. My 7,62x63/.30-06 appeared to never have been fired after it got the new barrel sometime in the 50s, and my 7,92x57 one has an excellent original barrel. One is made in 1938, and the other in 1939 and are made from the steel quality the Germans liked to refer to as 'Krupp Steel'. Both guns have Norwegian stamps on the left-hand side of the receiver. They can be had for 200-250 USD over here.

In Norwegian service, the standard German K98k with original barrel in 7,92x57 was called 'M98k' and was issued to the Norwegian Navy. 'M98k' is short for 'Modell 1898, Karabin', which an be translated as 'Model of 1898, Carbine'. The K98ks which were converted to 7,62x63/.30-06, were called 'M98k F1'. 'F1' is short for 'Forandring #1', which can be translated to English as 'Alternation #1', refering to the barrel/caliber change. These guns were issued to the Army Land Forces, Air Force, Coastal Artillery and Home Guards. They were used by the Home Guards Youth division up until about fifteen years ago. That was pretty cool really, at age 16, one could sign up for volunteer service in the Home Guards, receive military training, and were given a WW2 Mauser to keep at home. Nowadays the Home Guards Youth division uses AG-3 [HK G3A3/'A5'] assault rifles which have a blocked selector, so that the gun can fire in semi only, and I don't think that they can actually store the guns at home anymore.

 

For those who have one, or are thinking about a purchase, here is what the receiver markings mean;

HÆR = Army Land Forces

FLY [short for 'Flyvåpen'] = Air Force

KNM [short for 'Kongelige Norske Marine'] = Royal Norwegian Navy

K.ART [short for 'Kystartilleri'] = Coastal Artillery

HV [short for 'Heimevern'] = Home Guards

POLITI = Police [G33/40 only]

 

I'm currently in the process of obtaining a quite rare 1940 G33/40 'Gebirgsjägerkarabiner' in the original caliber. This rifle is quite interesting, since it does not have any Norwegian stamps on it, i.e. it has not been used by the Norwegian Armed Forces or Police after the war. [People could buy these rifles dirt cheap in the years after the war.] The Norwegian police actually also used the G33/40 up until [if remember correctly] sometime in the in the late 60/early 70s. These guns are marked with a stamping with the Norwegian coat of arms [lion in a shield] and the word 'Politi'. They have the original German barrels in 7,92x57, and are often referred to as 'Police Mauser', or even 'Elephant Mauser' because of the strong recoil and the huge muzzle flash.

For the last few months of my army service, I carried a NM-149 F1 DMR rifle. These rifles were custom made for the army by a Norwegian gunsmithing business, and were heavily converted G33/40s with a slightly redsigned safety catch, a Schmidt & Bender 6x42 scope, long heavy barrel in 7,62x51 NATO, custom laminate stock, and had a front sight and a flash hider not unlike that of the AG-3 assault rifle. It was a good and very accurate rifle, but rather heavy to drag around in the field with. Funny thing about the NM-149s were that the rifles were serialized after the serial number on the scope. -Dan-“

END OF QUOTE

 Reply Originally Posted by INFANTRY

QUOTE

“Not sure if the Norwegians just refurbed captured 98's or if the srarted building all parts including receivers.

No, no major parts were made domestically for our Armed Forces' Mausers, with the exception of laminate stocks. If a rifle became so badly damaged during its Norwegian army service that the stock was considered to be beyond repair, it would simply receive either a good used German take-off stock or a new Norwegian-made laminate stock. The Norwegian replacement stocks were identical to the German ones with the exception of the markings. German butt plates etc were still being used with the new stocks. Some civilian enterprises made custom aftermarket parts for the civilian Mauser market though, such as safety catches, mag well covers, scope mounts, hunting-type stock sets and trigger systems and so on.”

END OF QUOTE

Reply Originally Posted by Norinco QBZ-95

QUOTE

“How many K98's do you think the Norwegians got?

Not as many as the Russian did. Depending on sources, there was 300K-400K German troops in Norway when they capitulated on May 8th 1945. I would speculate that maybe 150K K98's would be a rough guess as not all of these troops would have been line infantry as it was mainly a administrative occupation force.

I once read in a Norwegian weapons magazine that there were about 220.000 German Mauser rifles left in Norway when the war ended. All of these became the property of the Norwegian Government. Huge amounts of these rifles were dumped out at sea, together with vast quantities of other stuff from the many German coastal fortresses, even the coastal artillery cannons and such things as the Biber one-man submarines. After the Armed Forces had taken their share of the leftovers of the Mausers, the remaining stocks were sold off to the public. Considering that a great number of the said 220.000 Mausers were dumped out at sea, I think it is reasonable to assume, like Hootbro suggested, that something like 150.000 guns would be left for the Norwegian Armed Forces to pick from. The Norwegian Armed Forces picked only guns from the best production years, which means that the chances of finding Norwegian-stamped ex-German Mausers made in 1944 and 45 are pretty slim [probably the same thing with 1943 Mausers, too.

In addition to German-manufactured weapons of all different makes, the German occupation forces also used great quantities of captured Norwegian Krag-Jørgensen rifles, Belgian, Czech and Yugo Mausers and even some French rifles, together with great numbers of Norwegian-made Madsen MGs and a number of Czech and Yugo MGs. A bizarre footnote here, is that after the German Wehrmacht carried out the huge October, 1941 massacre in Kragujevac, Serbia, where, among many others, a great portion of the workers of the Crvena Zastava weapons factory [today's Zastava Arms; manufacturer of the 'Yugo AK'] was executed, a great number of the plant workers were sent to Northern Norway to work as slave laborers. A document from the German Reichskommisar in Norway, Josef Terboven, ordered the camp commandants to make the Serbs live under [quote;] 'the worst possible living conditions', as part of an experiment in human endurance under critical circumstances. These death camps, where the Crvena Zastava weapons plant workers and Yugoslavian partisans were literally worked, beaten, shot, starved and tortured to death, were guarded by SS-Totenkopfverbände troops armed with weapons manufactured at the Crvena Zastava plant.

As for pistols, the German occupation forces used both captured ex-Norwegian Army Nagant revolvers [of both Belgian and Swedish manufacture] and Colt M1914 [Norwegian-made licenced copy of the M1911, pre-A1 type], together with a whole variety of Polish Radoms, Belgium High-Powers etc and even captured American Colts along with the standard German models.

One elderly gent I spoke to, told me about the time when he took part in cleaning out German depots and coastal fortresses in the autumn/winter of 1945. They went out with boats to a nearby 2000-feet deep fjord and dumped huge amounts of Mauser rifles overboard. Ten rifles bound together with a sling, and *splash*, into the deep they went. They did the same thing with enormous amounts of steel helmets, boxes of hand grenades and ammunition, artillery powder charges and shells, land mines, FLAK anti-aircraft guns and everything else you can imagine. Bayonets were dumped by the thousands, and 'impractical' model MGs, like Maxims and so on that had been used as stationary MGs on coastal fortresses, received the same treatment. [Some of these Maxims were weapons captured on the Eastern Front, and was chambered for 7,62x54R.]

Another gent I once spoke to, told me how they bulldozed plenty of German fighter and bomber planes out on the runway of an airstrip a bit North of where I live. The planes, mostly JU-88, Me-109 and FW-190s, were then used as landfill in the end of the runway.

A third gent I spoke with, told me how he took part in burning everything they could find inside the Norwegian Waffen-SS training camp outside Holmestrand, south-eastern Norway. They spent two days during the summer of 1945 hauling uniforms and camoflage equipment, boxes full of insignia etc, and tossed them on to huge bonfires.

[My greatest hobby is what happened in my country during WW2; I have spent a great deal of time over the past almost twenty years travelling around the country and interviewing people about their WW2 experiences.”

END OF QUOTE

 Reply Originally Posted by Norinco QBZ-95

QUOTE

“Are the Norwegian barrels good?

Excellent. Not saying that because I'm Norwegian, but out of experience. The steel quality in the Norwegian barrels together with the worksmanship of the Kongsberg workers, made the Norwegian barrels equal on all points to the brilliant Swedish Mauser barrels. [As a side note; just check out the machining qualities and steel quality of the Norwegian Krag-Jørgensen rifles. Nothing sounds smoother than a Norwegian Krag mechanism. ]”

END OF QUOTE

Reply Originally Posted by INFANTRY

Quote

“I agree with Hoobro's Numbers on the amount of k98's in country during the German occupation, but they receiver many more after the war to help build up their military. Remember, they used M1's post war also.

To my knowledge, we didn't receive any further Mauser 98s from abroad after the end of WW2. I would think that there were already enough Mausers in-country at the time. [I'm not 100% sure though, so I am by no means claiming that you are wrong. ] We did however, like you said, receive a substantional amount of US weaponry, like M1 Carbines, M1 Garands, Browning BARs, .50 BMGs and even some Thompsons and folding-stock M1 Carbines. The fixed-stock US Carbine was also used by the Norwegian Police, together with the above mentioned Mauser G33/40.”

END OF QUOTE

reply Originally Posted by Norinco QBZ-95

QUOTE

“Nice info. It's amazing that you can get a K98 for so cheap there. Here in the US, we can barely get a Russian capture for that price if even. Then again, you guys have your own K98's lying around. Ours have to be shipped over from Russia and Yugoslavia.

Funny thing about that, is that over here, you have to pay almost twice the cost of a Mauser to get a good collectors-grade Mosin. And what may come as an even bigger surprise, is that used WASR-type Romanian semi AKs used to go for a lot over 1000 dollars. Even more strange, is that for about the same price, you could get a milled semi Valmet, and for the equivalent of 2000 US dollars, you can [if you're lucky to find one] get an original Zastava M76 with the mil-spec third pin receiver. “

END OF QUOTE

Reply Originally Posted by Stottman

QUOTE

I visited Norway to train in 2000; Earned my Norwegian Parachute badge.

As someone mentioned, the Norwegians allow firearms, to include full auto. From what I understand, Norwegians can actually bring stuff back from Afghanistan.

I seem to recall hearing that the K98s were recently sold off, but that TransArms in Germany bid out American firms. Not sure how true that it..

Nice to hear that you have been to Norway, I hope you liked it here.

I am one of the 'lucky few' with the full-auto collector's licence that you mentioned. This is a thing that is very hard to get. Clean record and documentation of purpose for collecting and all that. You have to be recommended by more than one long-time collector's licence holder, and you have to be on a waiting list for 24 months before you are eventually accepted and much more, too much to list. A DUI, for example, is enough to lose the licence, since it is considered 'irresponsible behaviour and lack of proper judgement made under the influence of alcohol'.

You are probably right about some of our Mausers being sold to Germany. A German friend of mine told me that they can now buy both live and de-activated ex-Norwegian Mausers down there, for prices that are a lot higher than what they cost here in Norway. [As a side note, while de-activated WW2 bolt guns are still legal to sell in Norway, de-activated modern machine weapons, such as the AK and the M-16 etc, are not, and to my knowledge has never been, legal in Norway. They are legal to some extent in most of the EU countries including Germany and the UK, but Norway is not part of the EU. In addition, further imports and sales, even private sales from one citizen to another, of semi-automatic 'assault weapons' are also banned now, unless the recipient has the state-approved collector's license. It's absolutely crazy; a private citizen without the collector's license can't buy Romanian PSLs because they look 'evil', but he can still buy the much more accurate 'cozy-looking' 9,3x62 or .30-06 Valmet Hunter, which is basically an even more powerful AK/PSL, only with a hunting stock. Saigas aren't sold any longer except for types with really long barrels, due to the whole 'concealment' issue, and opening mag wells for high-cap mags is a serious offense. In any case, there has never really been a lot of semi-automatic 'assault rifles' on the Norwegian market in the first place. There are even fewer full-autos.]-Dan-“

END OF QUOTE

 

——————

Here is a nice reference link with some nice examples with great photos for NORWEGIAN CAPTURE K98ks, Well worth a look at  this gunboard's post: Norwegian K98kF1

https://www.gunboards.com/threads/norwegian-k98kf1.1005194/

 

 

Also see the Forgotten Weapons video

Norwegian K98kF1 Repurposed Mauser

Video source:    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cDEUyxrdO0

June 4, 2017, Ian McCollum Bolt Action Rifles Conversion, Video 2,  This was also saved on the Wayback Machine Archive:

Source:

https://web.archive.org/web/20190831104117/https://www.forgottenweapons.com/norwegian-k98kf1-repurposed-mauser/

McCollum states:

QUOTE

“At the end of When Germany capitulated in 1945, there were nearly 400,000 German soldiers in Norway (largely thanks to the efforts of the Norwegian Resistance to prevent them from being transferred south). This provided Norway with a massive supply of K98k Mauser rifles to reequip their armed forces, and they picked about 250,000 of the best condition guns (mostly early war production, naturally) to take into service. These rifles were repaired and refurbished as necessary, and given new Norwegian serial numbers on the receivers, bolts, and buttplates. They were also modified to have “U”-notch rear sights and square post front sights.

In 1953 and 54, the a program was undertaken to rebarrel the rifles from 8x57mm to .30-06 (7.62x63mm) in order to be able to use supplies of .30-06 ammunition made available by the United States. While the Norwegian Navy retained its 8mm chambering, all the other service branches had their rifles modified to use the new cartridge, and these rifles were given the new designation m/K98kF1. A second rebarreling was begun years later to convert rifles to the new 7.62mm NATO cartridge, but this was quickly abandoned and the G3 rifle adopted instead, with the Mauser going into war reserve by 1973.”

END OF QUOTE

 

————-

 

Two Fantastic Specimens

source:

https://www.gunboards.com/threads/norwegian-k98kf1.1005194/

In this above link are two fantastic rifles: a BYF 42 owned by dragnov18 and the BSW 38 owned by hanselhd2. Both members are excellent photographers. Just in case the link goes away or the photos disappear, I posted some highlights of each individual’s rifle. These photos are taken from the above source. Each author provides many more fine photos in the above link. It seems both fellows are experts at taking photos. These are select examples well worth looking at. What dreams are made of.   Around 1952 Norway switched to the 30-06 caliber and the Nazi K98 rifles left in Norway were rebuilt and rechambered to 30-06. Maybe before I am dead, I’ll see one in person at a gun show in WI     

Picture highlights of the Norwegian BYF 42 owned by dragnov18. The Norwegian Capture BYF 42 has most of its original parts & serial numbers. His ten photos are selected from above source:

  

 

 

 

Can it get even better?  The next example is a Norwegian BSW 38 owned by Gunboards member hansellhd2.    See this old post from February 2014.

Thread: Going rate for a Norwegian K98 .30-06 conversion?

https://www.gunboards.com/threads/going-rate-for-a-norwegian-k98-30-06-conversion.359167/

 

I selected seven of hanselnd2’s photos in order to provide one more example.

---------------

History video

There is some interesting history found on this video about Norway and can be viewed here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTbyrTr45Ak

The author is riflechair,  April 2014,  Norwegian K98k Mauser

  The below summary pictures are from screen shots from the two referenced video sources (Riflechair and McCollum).

 

 

SUMMARY REVIEW OF ATTRIBUTES

The attributes used to identify a Norwegian Capture k98k are reviewed below as the modifications done to a Norwegian 30-06 K98k rifles. There are photos documenting each modification.

 

First, the rifle is Rebarreled to 30-06 and marked “KAL 7.62 m/m”.  p14

 

Second,  Work is done to the sights. Both front & rear sight modifications, a V to U and larger front sight.  p15-18

 

Third, on the round receiver on the left side above the original German serial number they mill a flat spot continuing the length of the receiver. On this flat is stamped the Norwegian branch of service and a new Norwegian serial number. p19

 

Fourth, the bolt and butt plate are also marked/reserialized with a Norwegian serial number. p20-23

 

Fifth, there is the mechanical lengthening of the magazine box and modification to the stock inlet. p21

 

Sixth, the receiver is notched at the the top  front of the receiver for longer 30-06 cartridge. p24-25

 

Seventh, some have a stock reenforcement pin added. p26

 

Other attributes found on 30-06 converted Norwegian K98ks;

The Nazi markings and serial numbers remain on the small parts. Some match, others have mixed parts. On the receiver, the original German serial number is lined out and the new Norwegian number is restamped on the flat, the bolt, and the butt plate.

 

Eight, on the bolt only the last 3 numbers of the new Norwegian serial number are restamped on the ground surface. The German serial number is ground off, a new surface polished then the new Norwegian last three numbers of the serial number are restamped. No other markings are ground off or lined out. Only the original German serial number on the receiver is lined out. p27

[72 usmc]

 

Portuguese Contract K98k Rifle

 

Portuguese m/937B Kar98k: Back to the Standard Pattern Forgotten Weapons Video 

Sep 22, 2021

 

This video is a great overview of the three varieties encountered of the Portuguese Mauser k98k rifles; McCollum covers both contracts for the Portuguese German made K98k. The first contract is dated 1937 with the first 50,000 arriving as a standard German proofed K98ks referred to as a m937 variety. The second batch of m937 rifles (50,000) of this first 1937 dated contract have modifications to the sling attachments at the front and rear and had added sight wings rather than the German sight hood. These are slightly different from a standard German K98k and are referred to as the (m1937A) variety. The second contract of Portuguese K98ks  in 1941 is referred to as the 937B variety. These rifles are standard proofed German K98k rifles with all standard German markings except for an added Portuguese Crest on the receiver, a 1941 date, and a Portuguese stock cartouche on the stock. All of the attributes found on these rifles are clearly reviewed in an excellent short video description by Forgotten Weapons. This is a must view. I have never seen one of these rifles in person.  I do not own one.  The link to the video is below.

SOURCE of Forgotten Weapons Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9dA8hjjs64

Some attributes found on Portuguese rifles taken as screen shots from the McCollum video.

Screen shots FW  1-7

 

 

The most obvious attribute utilized to identify a Portuguese k98 is the Portuguese Crest. Rifles are dated 1937 (m937, m937A) or 1941 (937B).  Generally, they are a standard German K98ks. Here is some additional information found on Gunboards by author ryg: Portuguese M937, M937A, M937B; Trials Rifles

The link is rather detailed, but the author states:

QUOTE

“There has been some difference of opinion about whether the Portuguese Mausers dated 1941 is an M937B or an M941. Perhaps there are other uncertainties. These tables are from the book, ESPINGARDA MAUSER M/904, M/904-39, M/937 E M/943 by Jaime Ferreira Regalado.

The book is in Portuguese. I have a little background in French and Spanish, and with the help of Google Translate have attempted to make sense of the tables and appropriate parts of the book. I invite someone with better understanding to correct any errors in interpretation.

In 1937, the Portuguese army ordered 100,000 Mauser 98 action rifles from the Mauser company with 50,000 to be delivered immediately. This resulted in Kar98k rifles being taken off the assembly line with German markings intact until rifles with the special Portuguese modifications were available. Most of the first 50,000 were straight Kar98k's. The Portuguese called these M/937's. The balance of the 100,000 were those with the Portuguese front sight wings and swivels; these were called M/937A's. They were series A through E with 20,000 in each series. They were delivered in 1937-38 but were all dated 1937. In July 1941, they contracted for another 50,000 M/937 types, series F to H. They turned out to be Kar98k pattern rifles of the period. The Germans apparently appropriated a large number of rifles from the middle of the production; so, production continued to the end of series H. These were delivered in 1941-42 but were all dated 1941. They were called M/937B.

 

TABLE m/937 1st Series

S/42 - 1937 ......................on receiver ring

Mod.98 ......................on left receiver.

Portuguese crest - 1937 .... on butt stock

Other German markings on the regular places.

(Comment: should have a Portuguese serial number on the left butt stock.)

 

TABLE m/937 2nd Series

Same as 1st Series except MAUSERWERKE, A.G. Oberndorf a/N on left receiver

Portuguese serial numbers 00001-19999 on some of the same places at the same time as the German serial numbers (comment1: doubtful that a no letter series was made), A00001-E19999 (comment2: should be on the left butt stock below the takedown disc)(comment3: these serial numbers encompass M/937A as well).

 

TABLE m/937A

MAUSERWERKE A.G. Oberndorf a/N on the left receiver.

Portuguese crest - 1937 on the receiver ring and left butt stock

German markings (WaffenAmts, final proof) on the usual places.

Portuguese serial numbers instead of German numbers in the usual places. (Comment: Serial numbers are included in the series A though E mentioned above.)

Bore diameter indicated on the barrel.

 

TABLE m/937B

MAUSERWERKE A.G. Oberndorf a/N on left receiver

Portuguese crest - 1941 on the receiver ring and left butt stock

German markings (WaffenAmts, final proof) on usual places.

Portuguese serial numbers in the usual places. Series F00001-F19999, G00001-G19999, H00001-H19999. 10,000 series G rifles were diverted to German service.

Bore diameter indicated on the breech.

 

I believe some F series with obvious German service are known, so things are not as nice and neat as shown. The M/937B's were apparently made some with flat butt plates and some with cupped butt plates.

In April 1952, in metropolitan Portugal, inventory showed: M/904(-39) - 52,206, M/937 - 40,381, M/937A - 53,384, M/937B - 49,998.

Another Mauser was in Portuguese service, ESPINGARDA MAUSER-G, 6mm M/943. This was a Gustloffwerke KKW in 22LR. The photo in the book does not show any Portuguese markings such as the crest. The book says only a few were obtained.”

END OF QUOTE

SOURCE:

https://www.gunboards.com/threads/portuguese-m937-m937a-m937b-trials-rifles.1082635/

-----------

 

937A  Example Photos

 

Here is a link to an example of a m937A Portuguese rifle found on the K98 forum: the author is bruce 98 and title is M937A Portuguese with original sling  ,  May 13, 2011

Source:

https://www.k98kforum.com/threads/m937a-portuguese-with-original-sling.2382/

 

If you are not a K98 member the pictures will not enlarge. Hence, I am providing some pictures of the sling modifications and and the sight wings to more clearly define these primary attributes found on the 1937, 937A variety.

 

insert  ( GB photos 8-16

 

 

The Portuguese Crest 

 

Portuguese m937B K98k

For a review of a Portuguese m937B K98k see Badger’s 2007 addition to the Milsurp Knowledge Library at this link, a direct search title is: 1941 Portuguese Contract K98k Rifle (Mfg by Mauser Werke AG, Oberndorf a/N) by Badger

Source:

https://www.milsurps.com/content.php?r=229-1941-Portuguese-Contract-K98k-Rifle-(Mfg-by-Mauser-Werke-AG-Oberndorf-a-N)

This reference was saved on the Wayback machine archive as a secondary way to access the reference:

https://web.archive.org/web/20220809023428/https://www.milsurps.com/content.php?r=229-1941-Portuguese-Contract-K98k-Rifle-(Mfg-by-Mauser-Werke-AG-Oberndorf-a-N)

 

Here is a view of a portion of the article for those with old computers where the link does not work, but many other informational video links are shown in the  Milsurps Reference Library .

QUOTE

“The K98k was the primary infantry rifle for the German Wehrmacht during World War II. The "k" is for Kurz, which means "short" in German. The post WW1 sale of German rifles to Portugal began as early as 1931, with the delivery of a number of pre-K98k Standard Gewehr rifles (not to be confused with the Standard Model). These early commercial contract Mausers were beautifully blued with deep, clear markings. The Portuguese crest was stamped on top of the receiver above the date of manufacture and the proofs and waffenampts were all standard German markings of the period, but the legend "MAUSER WERKE A.G. OBERNDORF A.N." replaced the usual "Mod.98" model designation on the left side of the receiver.

By the 1940's, the K98k Mausers being produced for Portugal had changed from the earlier Standard Gewehr to virtually exact copies of a circa 1941 Nazi K98k complete with cupped butt-plate, but retaining the marking scheme of the earlier Portuguese contract Mausers with a crested receiver and the Oberndorf receiver roll-stamp. Large numbers of these later K98k rifles, however, were never delivered to Portugal. Losses by the Whermacht forced the Germans to commandeer the rifles for the Reich. The above example is of this second type of Portuguese Contract Mauser which copies the K98k, though it is now impossible to say if it was delivered to Portugal or diverted to German service. To compensate the Portuguese for the loss of these rifles, in 1942 and 1943 The Reich reclaimed a number of issued random K98k rifles from the Wehrmacht and delivered them to Portugal. The Portuguese later stamped their national crest into the butt-stocks of these rifles.

Aside from the Portuguese crest and commercial style receiver side-wall roll stamp, these rifles are materially identical to 1941 Mauser Oberndorf K98k Wehrmacht issue rifles, including Nazi WaA markings and Eagles clutching Swastikas for firing and inspection proofs.”

END OF QUOTE

 

And for an excellent pictoral overview ( 182 photos) of this 1941 Portuguese Mauser Werke AG K98k please view this link, a direct search for the pictorial overview title is: 1941 Portuguese Mauser Werke AG K98k

K98k (7.92 x 57mm) 1941 Portuguese Contract Serial # H5243 (Mfg by Mauser Werke AG, Oberndorf a/N)

A view of just the photos for the example a 1941 Portuguese Mauser Werke AG K98k; K98k (7.92 x 57mm) 1941 Portuguese Contract Serial # H5243(Mfg by Mauser Werke AG, Oberndorf a/N)  is found below:

SOURCE:

https://imageevent.com/badgerdog/germanservicerifles/1941portuguesemauserwerkeagk98k

These 182 documentary photos have also been saved to the Wayback Machine Archive:

https://web.archive.org/web/20220808205355/https://imageevent.com/badgerdog/germanservicerifles/1941portuguesemauserwerkeagk98k?n=0&z=9&c=4&x=1&m=24&w=0&p=0

-----------

 

A Russian capture (RC) 1941 Portuguese K98k

 

Calfed of SRF posted his Portuguese specimen on Sun Mar 31, 2019.  This SRF post was not saved to the Wayback by members and is lost.

He states,  “I've got an RC 1941 Portuguese K98.”  Here are the eight pictures Calfed posted on 2019.  This is a rather nice example and its source is a Russian captured rifle that was rebuilt with RC traits/attributes. In the documented photos the viewer can see on the receiver the RC "X" and visible on the top of the bolt is the electro penciled RC force matched serial number on the bolt; both stereotypic RC attributes.

 Calfed's  photos 

 

My Question to Calfed,  Here is a question...

Does the RC 1941 Portuguese K98 have a stock serial number stamped into the left side of the stock, parallel to the barrel and perpendicular to the butt plate (Like most RC's)? SECOND question, do the smaller parts consist of mixed serial numbers or mostly matching parts on the rifle. Very nice examples. Maybe you can show the butt stamping. Thank You

Calfed’s reply:

Thanks, 72usmc. Both (the author got two rifles) of my rifles have the serial numbers stamped into the butt stock. I got both of these at Proxibid auctions about 10 years ago...

Due to age calfed's source is no longer active;   https://www.proxibid.com/German-Portugu ... 285601#Top

The smaller parts are mixed serial numbers. I do not have the Banner RC anymore...sold it a few years back. I'll look and see if I can find any more pictures of it.

Here is the description pf that rifle from the old inactive source:

QUOTE

“This rare Portuguese contract, German produced and later used 98k Mauser bolt action rifle was used by German troops and subsequently captured by the Soviet in WWII. Caliber: 8mm (8x57). Stock finish: 85% metal finish: 95%, but light pitting as soviet refinished. Bore condition: good, but with a dark bore. Matching: yes, except they are Soviet electro-penciling. Markings: German WWII, good Waffenampts, good 1941 Portuguese crest, and no visible import marks”

END OF QUOTE

It is rather interesting that this rifle did not have the import mark. They must have come out of the shipping box so fast this one failed to get an import mark. I have seen a few of these that did not get import marks at the barrels end. Calfed indicated this is a very early Russian Capture that was imported into the US, Calfed states:  “Most RC came in prior to the mark being on the receiver. Of note, My 1941 Portuguese RC also lacks the red shellac of most RC K98’s".

 

----------

Early 2019 was an interesting year. While I have never observed a Portuguese K98k at a gun show or shop in Wisconsin, about the same time this SRF post was written in 2019, another example mysteriously surfaced at Libertytreecollectors on April of 2019. This specimen was also a Russian Capture import.

 

LIBERTYTREECOLLECTORS  RC PORTUGUESE 1941 K98k

 

The Libertreecollecto’s K98k is not the typical RC.  Very few Russian capture seem to actually be Portuguese K98K rifles. It does not have the normal RC serial number deeply stamped into the left side of the stock. Very odd, Ivan must have been sleeping or had too much Vodka that day during the rebuild. Unfortunately due to its age the source of the information and photos is no longer active.

see : https://www.libertytreecollectors.com/p ... dcategory=       Libertytreecollector’s description is as follows:

QUOTE

“Serial number #G7302 This offering is for the pictured Portuguese K98 Mauser WW2 Rifle. Maker marked from the Mauser Werek AG Oberndorf factory on military contract to Portugal, dated 1941 it was likely never delivered as it was among the Russian captured Mauser rifles from WW2.

Russian refurbished and put into storage thru the cold war years. No matching serial numbers, full blue/black refinish on the metal, over a few frost or pitting spots. Mechanically appears fine. Neat Portuguese crest atop the receiver. Sound laminated stock and hand guard set.

Chambered in 8mm Mauser the bore has very good rifling, slight frost, counter bored. Import marked.”

END OF QUOTE

After it is sold, the above link with its excellent photos goes dead. Therefore, I reposted some of the more interesting photos of this fine specimen for a fixed documentation. Here are eleven photos:

 Here are some of my comments about this Libertytreecollector’s specimen the day it was posted.

QUOTE

“ I bet this will sell in a week.   ( update: it sold in 6 hours of this posting) IN ONE DAY! RCs must be holding values. Note the electro-written numbers on all the mismatched parts. Line outs are seen striking out the original German serial numbers. In addition, someone added the cleaning rod, sight hood, and capture screws. A nice Russian X is on the receiver. The stock does not exhibit the normal Russian, thickly applied red shellac, I do not see any evidence of thick shellac in the crevices?  There is no evidence of its removal by a former owner. The odd thing about this specimen is the lack of an application of the RC serial number to the stock. Maybe this is restocked into a more German looking stock and the original RC stock was discarded? The stock washer is also in the white and not the RC black color generally observed. However this is speculation because RCs have so much variation in their rebuild applications, it is difficult to know what was the rifles original state. It is also counterbored and import marked. The last of the RC batches from 10 years ago did have some counter bores. Most RC K98ks lacked this modification to the barrel.  if the bore was bad it was generally melted down, likewise if the stock was damaged it was discarded and used as firewood to heat the building. The import mark is located on the bottom of the barrel, but there is no mention of who's it is. The last picture shows a wee bit of the import mark. Click on the photo to enlarge so you can make it out. Value of this is at approximately $625. Thank You Liberty for posting such a nice specimen. I hope this one goes into their reference library.”

END OF QUOTE

Too bad the specimen was not saved in the Reference Library. At least it is still documented here.  So there are very few Portuguese K98ks in the US.  Some may be intact specimens, although, the two I could document came into the US with the huge flood of Russian Capture rifles around 2001-2002. Now the trick is to try and find an example to add to the collection.

[Gildwiller1918]

Great stuff! I especially like the Portuguese information. I have one of those, 1941 model, all matching parts, however it was deactivated in Europe. 

[72 usmc]

   

K98k Bring Backs : A CAUTION

 

 

There were many sources of surplus military equipment in the United States. The first was the rise of Francis Bannerman at the turn of the 20th Century. He purchased surplus American Civil War and Spanish American military items from cannons to screws. He also sold many pre WW I European surplus goodies. His military surplus catalogs were as thick as a Sears catalog. Around the late 1930s, during the U. S.  Depression, his business declined. Then came WW II.

 

Wayne Hackert letter

Here is an interesting first hand oral history of post WW II scrap piles in the U. S. in the early 1950s that provides the reader with an idea of the amount of surplus that was actually present after the war in the late 1940s. In a letter to the editor; Confessions of a pint-sized Entrepreneur in GUN COLLECTOR magazine, Dec 2014, Vol. 36 No. 6, as a kid in the early 1950s the author, Wayne Hackert, tells of escapades of plunder. I wonder how many such scrap piles and depots were in Europe where post war GIs could get goodies and send them home? I found this magazine article fascinating. I assume such mounds of surplus equipment must have been present in Europe after the war clean ups, but I do not know of any oral history from European kid’s plunder and if they got to keep or even wanted to keep WW II souvenirs. I am reproducing the letter here as photo shots so it can be read. It’s too good not to read. This one letter is worth the price of the back issue of Gun Collector magazine.

 

 

 

 

 

After WW II there was a ton of surplus military items some sold in Army-Navy Surplus stores and some sold thru magazine ads. Firearms could be purchases from companies posting newspaper and magazine advertisements. The buyer could have an old military surplus rifle sent to the house. Hardware stores, farm equipment stores, military surplus stores, general stores, even department stores sold out dated, vintage military surplus rifles. Most were tossed into 50 gallon drums to display and the customer just pulled out what he or she wanted to buy in order to hang the rifle on a wall for display, utilized for parts, or to make a lamp out of it. When I was a ten year old kid dad let me buy a M1895 Mannlicher rifle from the basement of a Sears store because I wanted the longest rifle in the barrel to hang on the wall in my room. The early 50s was a great time to be a kid. This time period from 1950 into the 1960s is generally called the First Golden Age of Military Surplus rifles.

At this time, there was also the go-to-place for anything military surplus. Found in most towns in the U. S. , the Army Surplus stores had tons of WW II equipment and later it had our Vietnam surplus. However, the assassination of Kennedy and the U. S. Gun Control Act of 1968 changed the sale of surplus firearms. This was the end of the First Golden Age. Surplus military firearms could not be imported, or sold mail order. It was not until 1986 with the Firearm Owners Protection Act and the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989 that the second great flood of military surplus rifles entered the United States from non U. S. armories clearing out unwanted, outdated firearms. Hence, began the Second Golden Age of Military Surplus dating from approximately (1986-2016). In the late 1980s, it was an exciting time for collectors in the United States because of a liberalization in post Kennedy assassination import regulations. Odd ball military surplus rifles and pistols from foreign lands were flowing into gun stores at great prices. It was a fun time, a new collector's bonanza of bargain foreign military arms. For example Turk Mausers at $49, K31s at $79, Mosins at $50 or $79, and No.4 Enfield mostly Savages also at $99.

In the U. S. there was always a way to purchase out dated American made military rifles. The Office of the Director of Civilian Marksmanship (DCM) was created by the Congress as part of the 1903 War Department Appropriations Act. The original purpose was to provide individuals an opportunity to buy a rifle and practice marksmanship skills so city boys knew how to shoot should they later be drafted into the military. While a U.  S. Army controlled organization, Democrats felt the need to eliminate the DCM as a cost saving measure after Vietnam, they did not favor the tax payers subsidizing marksmanship training and the sale of surplus rifles. Short on funding, the US Army also no longer favored supporting the DCM. As a result, a civilian program called the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) was formed in 1996. Federal law transferred the responsibilities of the DCM to the CMP. All WW II lead lease returned firearms, excess outdated ammunition, surplus US military rifles, ceremonial rifles loaned by the government to (VFW & American Legion posts) are returned to the to the CMP. Since 1996, the CMP is dedicated to selling surplus U. S. rifles for the use in training and educating U. S. citizens in responsible uses of firearms. While this organization continued operations through both ages of surplus military firearms, the DCM or CMP did not sell non U. S.  military surplus.

After the war a good number of vets sent home or brought back WW II souvenirs. The Army guys in Europe had plenty of Nazi items, a good number favored the K98k rifles. In general, the American soldier recognized the K98k Mausers as great “shooters" and many were shipped back home because the rifle is just such a great design, with inherent quality of workmanship, and durability. Guys in Italy shipped back Carcanos, while the Marines and Navy boys brought an Arasaka back. At gun shows in the 1970s and 1980s you could not give away a Carcano or Arisaka- they were considered junk. However, the K98k always had respect and was always worth a buck. All to many K98k rifles were modified into deer or big game hunting rifles, they were cut down, restocked, rechambered. Then all to many were forgotten souvenirs left to rust and deteriorate in attics, basements and barns. Some were used as toy guns with the WW II hats, web gear, helmets and uniforms that kids beat to hell as they played combat. Time took its heavy toll. Today, only a few treasures are found left intact sitting in a gun case or cabinet. These are the jewels of collectors. There is nothing better than an “as found K98k” with bring back papers and historical provenience. In the 1970s the old vet would be seen selling his K98k for some much need cash at the shows. We would wait around the doors of the gun show to intercept and purchase such intact jewels. Pickings became slim in the early 1990s and now it is a rare occurrence to find one offered for sale by some family member getting rid of excess guns. Few hunt or target shoot. But more than a few seem to be collectors since demand has increased, while the supply of surplus firearms has experienced a declined.

Today the Army/Navy Surplus store has all but vanished. For some reasons  of its decline see, The Rise and Fall of the Army Surplus Store,  by Brett and Kate McKay. It provides an interesting prospective on the current market.

SOURCE: https://www.artofmanliness.com/character/military/rise-fall-army-surplus-store/

Brett and Kate McKay • October 24, 2021

 

I do not plan to provide a review of “All” correct German K98k rifles. Such information is found on the k98kforum.com forum. The K98 forum has a Photographic Reference Library that is dedicated to the study of military Mauser rifles from WW I through WW II. You can join to view their archives of all correct K98k rifle examples. Their members live to study this rifle. The best set of K98k reference books include the Karabiner 98K, a three volume set by 3rd Party Press.

Millions of K98k rifles were captured at wars end, and a good number have been distributed world wide by Military Surplus Arms dealers. Some have import marks, others do not. Specimens imported into the U. S. prior to 1968 did not get import marks. Not all K98k rifles are veteran bring backs. The strongest indication of a vet bring back is the copy of the military issued “Bring Back Papers” or the presence of a 'duffle cut' at the forend of the rifle so it would fit into a sea bag.

Papers from a Carcano

 

 

Duffle cut.  The action, the stock sections, the cleaning rod--- all fit nicely in a sea bag.

 

The bring back firearms that are valued higher, are the ones that still have the military declaration papers as proof or are almost all matching with and unrestored duffle cut, lacking these attributes most collectors would not classify a K98k as a true “bring back. ”

There are a ton of faked, parts switched to be all correct, refurbished ones with over cleaned or refinished stocks.  I have been lucky because my purchases have been either from non collector family member WW II vets  (found in uncle’s closest) or from a trusted dealers. If you are into obtaining a so called intact surplus rifle, do your research, know its attributes. If one thinks they have an intact German K98k, one must have a true scholar, a seasoned collector, review the rifle in order to get a valid assessment. There are just too many faked K98ks made to look like intact German bring backs. And the fakers are experts at their art of forgery.

 

milprileb on Gunboards

Here are some expert comments about K98ks coming into the United States from a guy a wee bit younger than me.  (He states point better than I could):

Source:  gunboards   milprileb old post source lost over the years

QUOTE

I lived through the era of unchecked surplus rifles imported into the USA. The K98K was always the problem child because nearly all imported were sold with mis matched bolts. This was before internet so the only communications were ShotGun News to find any K98K for sale or some gun magazines. To find one off a vet or actually find one all matching, it was gun shows and they were usually very small, not well advertised . You could find all matching anything else but the K98K was an illusive specie. A few gun shows and constant hunting at gun shop, very few all matching K98K surfaced. Now during this era, the faking of K98K grew to the point there was high risk when buying an "all matching" K98k. That situation has not changed...its the constant danger to this very day.

Since my old man had a gun business and would make viking raids to cherry pick surplus rifles at Zero Prince St, Interarms warehouse location, I got to tag along and see what Interarms had. We had no problem finding great condition K98K but zero luck finding all matching number K98K in all our purchase trips to Interarms. Talking to Interarms sales people over the years the old man was told that two reasons for mis matched K98K:

a. As stated, bolts taken out of weapons after capture. That happened at some point once in allied hands as they wanted to render captured weapons inoperative. There are pictures of weapons being run over by tanks to destroy them but that was found inefficient . Easy to toss bolts in a pile and make rifles inoperative.

b. K98K imported over here were bought in Europe and with bolts out of weapons, they could be imported as scrap and less tax. Container of boltless rifles , Container of just bolts.... all considered scrap. Importer bought pallets of boltless rifles and boxes of bolts in Europe as parts.

Thus, when all the pieces got to the USA, any bolt was slapped into a rifle and sold dirt cheap fast. The volume of such importing was such importers could care less about matching numbers, they wanted inventory sold and they flat moved huge numbers of surplus weapons ...including K98K.

One can take any rationale for the fact that one rifle specie is plagued by mismatched bolts more than any other surplus rifle ... the K98K to this very day is almost entirely found without its original bolt. There was a program of taking bolts out of K98K in WWII / post WWII in Europe and if that were not the case, matching K98K would be as easy to find as a matching No.4 Enfield.

To a lesser extent is the destruction of matching K98K during the 50's/60's craze of sporterizing surplus rifles. Granted this happened to some matching K98K but majority of K98K so altered were mismatched K98K as they were the most available. The K98K was the rifle to sporterize...the focus of all desire to build a sporter, that was just a human dynamic of those times. The pin up girl to find was a all matching K98K and make a sporter...that was hot stuff.

With Model 70's and Rem 700's pushing $300, which was huge huge money in 50's / 60's, hunters sought to sporterize military rifles and have a equal quality sporter for under $100. Depending on how much "sporterizing" one did, a nice sporter could be had by simply putting on a Bishop stock. A great many hunters had the rifles drilled and tapped for scope , bolt handle bent and there was a cottage industry (like Flaigs of Pa.) that did this dirt cheap. Easily in the 50"s, one could build a K98K into a awesome sporter for $75 w/o optics.

For a lot of reasons ...the K98K was prostituted. Few exist here in original all matching status and sadly many of those sold today are faked up to be all matching numbers. Ask around in the K98K collector mafia and many will admit they've been skunked when buying what they thought was a all matching K98K...even the experts sometimes get fooled by a faked up K98K.

K98K: minefield, careful where you walk ! Safest to buy (in my view) if you simply want a real WWII bonifide K98K is Russian Capture. These rifles were refurbed by Soviets after capture on Eastern Front, All of them have mismatched bolts and a RC Capture is "correct" for what it is ..all had mismatch bolts. These are safe : provenance is 100% and all are mismatched.

How bad was fakery ? On the used gun trade, my old man would not bother with any "all matching K98K" or any "all correct" sniper rifle. Many were brought in to sell in his store or applied for trade onto another firearm. He never accepted any such rifles for two reasons. He could not validate what was real or not. Secondly, if someone bought a rifle from him, and then found out it was a faked up rifle, our shop would suffer in reputation and that was avoidable. This was a business decision that we found was smart. We traded and sold rifles that we knew and could validate.

END OF QUOTE

 

 

Here is a nice link to show the average collector how close the fakes are.  Take the test, can you ID the restamped rifle??             

Detecting the Fakes

link:       http://www.latewar.com/html/fake1.htm

 

SRF  PennsylvaniaRifleman's K98k   

Here is an example of a rifle that a dealer or individual may all to easily modify.  PennsylvaniaRifleman on SRF shows an import marked, really nice K98k that is all matching except the bolt. This rifle would be a forgers dream foundation to modify into a not so real bring back. Fakers love to buy cheep, modify, and then sell at an outrageous price.

PennsylvaniaRifleman  posted on SRF Mon Jan 15, 2018 on old edition of Military Surplus K98ks Commonly Found at Gun Shows   

QUOTE

Great resource--thanks 72USMC! You inspired me to pull out my Kar98k, which I have always presumed to be a Romanian capture. It is a duv 42, and I see that I paid $145 for it in August of 1994--that was full retail price at the Blue Sky Gun Shop in King of Prussia PA (now long gone unfortunately). It was paying that kind of "high" price that inspired me shortly thereafter to get my first C&R license...

Anyway, it has the Century Import Mark (faintly stamped) on the barrel: CAI ST. ALB VT., K98 GERMANY 8MM. It is all-matching except for the bolt, which matches itself. The finish is thin, but appears to be original. The stock has no markings other than the original (but very faint) German serial number stamped on the underside of buttstock below the wrist (the handguard has the matching serial number stamped inside the channel). I added a repro sling, sight hood and cleaning rod. Curiously, as opposed to the apparently standard practice for Eastern European (non-Russian) captures, all of the German proofs, including birds and swastikas, are intact. There are no peen marks or punch strikes to be found on it anywhere. The bore is about average, and it is a great shooter. Here's some pics…

END OF QUOTE

  

72 usmc wrote:  Mon Jan 15, 2018

PennsylvaniaRifleman does the bolt match or is it a miss match but the bolt matches itself?? Looks like a matching rifle except the bolt? Do the bands match? One fine K98k. Thanks for the detailed photos.

Reply Yes--everything but the bolt matches, and the bolt does match itself. You're welcome for the photos--it's the least I can do to help build on the knowledge base you've created with this great thread! 

 

72 usmc wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 15, 2018

PennsylvaniaRifleman, so the the bolt matches itself?? Looks like a matching rifle except the bolt???? Do the bands match? One fine K98k. Thanks for the detailed photos. Except for that import mark, that would be a high price item for a faker to remove the import mark. Fantastic rifle. Worthy of an original rod, sling and hood

PennsylvaniaRifleman thanks for all the pictures Thank You for showing the import mark and its location. This is an example of a TRUE GERMAN UNMOLESTED K98k seen in the mid 1980s. ONE FINE RIFLE. Back then there were many bring backs and it was considered bad news because it had the import mark. How things have changed…

Currently, this is a great example of early K98ks sold in the United States around the mid 1980s to 1990s that were in Europe and were basically all German capture/arsenal rifles that are basically similar to bring backs except the they were reimported by sellers and have an import mark on the barrel. I have seen matching Lugers in this condition, but have an import mark. It gets no better for a German K98k specimen because it's a true all German K98k that was in some arsenal after the war. Perfect unmolested condition- better then some actual bring backs except for the import mark. Such a rifle in this condition with the import mark at $800 would be a deal of the show. It would be a lucky day indeed to have an old guy walk into a show and want to sell such a beauty he picked up in the early 90s. A true German K98k, just with an import mark. You do not see these any more because most have been purchased and modified into a "BRING BACK".

 

 

 

HERE IS A CAUTION IN TODAYs MARKET...

Now, this is a prime rifle that a faker would buy at top buck and then remove the lightly stamped import mark on the barrel. He would then add an original cleaning rod, sight hood, and sling on it and sell it for $1800 plus. So you really have to look at the barrel. imspect it closly. With top dollar bring backs at gun shows be sure there is no evidence of import mark removal. Pay close attention to the surface of the barrel-- does the scratches/wear & milling marks match all around the barrel? Does the blue match or is there discoloration? Is the metal too smooth from a polish job? Is there evidence of a flat or lower surface? Is the patina similar around the barrel? Are milling lines going in two directions? And this is just one point to consider, a true collector knows what marks, parts, and colors are correct for each maker the K98k. This is a rifle that most fakers would easily return to a supposed "bring back" condition. Hence, always have an expert K98k collector experienced with expensive bring backs look at a K98 if you are paying big bucks. Heck, a real collector of K98ks would consider the K98k rifles I review as common junk.