German Built K98 Mauser Captured by Russians……..( f 565 )SOLD

K98 Mauser Rifle made at Erma in 1941

This is the classic K98 Mauser which was made by the Germans and supplied to the Wehrmacht but fell into the hands of the Russians and was used against its makers.  The most probable scenario is that this rifle was sent to the Russian front and somehow fell into the hands of the Soviet Army, it was then sent to an armoury and then reissued to the Russian troops.

In the classic tradition the bolt does not match the rifle, in fact most of the parts are mismatched but this does tally with accounts of what happened to the rifles in the Russian armouries.  All parts were stripped down then checked and reassembled after refinishing.  The main components were then electro-pencilled with the receiver number and kept together from then onwards.  So the bolt body has the serial number on it, as does the trigger guard.  One thing that has not happened to the rifle is that it has not had its Swasstica’s punched out.  That particular symbol had cost the Russian nation a horrific amount of wasted life and generally Russian captured rifles have had it removed.  As this one has not, it is possible that time was of more value than sentiment, when this particular weapon passed through the system.

This rifle however, originated in Germany in 1941.  It was built at Feinmechanische Werke Erfurt (ERMA).  It is still in its original 7.92mm calibre.  It has the internal 5-shot magazine and Mauser bolt system with flag safety to the rear.  The serial number both on the receiver and the barrel is “3324 g”  As mentioned above it still bears the spread eagle and swasticca of the Wehrmacht.  Right beside the number on the receiver is a crude cross, this represents two rifles, the mark of the Russian armouries.  The LHS outer wall of the action has the model designation in gothic script of “Mod. 98.”  The top of the receiver is clearly marked “ax  /  41”  The ax was the production code for ERMA.  On the RHS of the receiver are three waffenamts.  They clearly show an eagle over 280.  These are Erfurt assembly marks.  The action and barrel have a dull matt black finish applied in the Russian arsenals.

The trigger guard has its keeper screws in position but is also a collection of mixed parts.  The stock is one of the correct later laminated stocks with the cupped butt-plate which is unmarked.  It also still has the strip-down washer, used to take the bolt apart in the field.  Although the barrel bands are the correct milled types and there is a bayonet lug and a hole for the cleaning rod, there is in fact no clearance hole in the end of the stock for the rod to go into.  The stock is in very good condition with only one fairly minor dent on the top of the wrist.  Also, it shows no signs of delamination, something that does occasionally happen to these robust stocks.

The rear sights are grooved for a sight hood but this is absent.  The rear sights are graduated from 100 to 2000 meters.  All in all this rifle is in very good condition for a 75 year old weapon  and the most impressive feature is the bore.  It looks to be in absolutely excellent condition.  Strong deep rifling, no pitting or misting, lands sharp.  Freshly London proofed in 2016.  If you have a WWII collection of German rifles or arms then you have to have a Russian capture K98 to complete the collection.

Stock No’  f 565

£ 630.(SOLD)

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