K98k Mauser “S/243” from the Weimar to Russia……..( f 717) SOLD
Created on September 17th 2018
An interesting K98k with a multiple personality
This solidly built Mauser K98k is a perfect example of how a rifle has provided service to more than one master during its existence. This K is dated 1938. It shows all the inspection and acceptance stamps of the German, pre-war Weimar republic. It was then pressed into service by the Third Reich. Finally, it fell into the hands of the Russians, where it was used against its original makers. Still chambered in its original calibre of 7.92mm x 57 (8mm Mauser). Stocked in a hardwood stock with handguard over the barrel. The stock is fitted with a blued, flat steel butt-plate. The butt is fitted with a bolt-strip-down disc and cut for the side mounted leather sling. Under the action is the standard steel cross bolt, waffenamt marked. An extra transverse cross bolt is fitted through the wrist, though, there is no sign of any damage in that area. There is a single small “H” stamped into the underside of the butt which, is the early Weimar indication that the rifle was used by the army.
The rifle is 43.5/8″ in overall length. The round blued barrel is a nominal 24″ in length and the trigger pull to centre is 13″ exactly. Markings on the crest of the receiver are “S/243” which is the early manufacturers’ code for Mauser Werke AG, Borsigwalde. Later that year the “S” was dropped. Below is the date of manufacture, “1938”. Below to the LHS of the receiver is a superbly clear down-winged eagle of the Weimar republic. Adjacent to that eagle is the serial number; “1534 g”. The model designation is on the outside of the action wall, reading; “Mod.98”. The obverse, (RHS) of the receiver ring, has three clear Nazi eagle/Swastiks waffenamts over the number “280”. There are three, equally clean “280” waffenamts at the forward end of the rear sight collar, on the RHS of the rifle.
On the LHS of the barrel, around the breech area and behind the rear sight, there are, one of all the above markings. This includes the matching serial number. However, the marking on the breech, that gives us the blatant sign that the Russian had their hands on this weapon, is the crudely stamped single letter “X.” On close inspection it easy to see that the X has been blued as has the rest of the rifle, so this was done in Armoury then refinished. The actual X itself is as deep as the original marking. From this we can deduce that it has to be applied mechanically with enough bracing and mechanical jigging to prevent the receiver from being damaged in any way. Any other way would have deformed or damaged the receiver.
The stock has early Weimar cartouches on the butt and the pistol grip. Interestingly, as is a norm with the Russian captured rifles, similar cartouches have been removed from the LHS of the butt. These would have been Nazi acceptance marks which the Russians wanted obliterated from their weapons, as that single symbol had cost their country so much. In their place a simple number has been applied; “9508” purpose of which unknown. More clues to the Russian connection are the electro-pencilled number which appears on other parts of the rifle. This would occur as standard practice within the Russian armouries. They would strip the captured weapons right down, inspect and test everything, then reassemble. In the process they applied their own numbering system. Unusually, now, at this stage in this rifles existence, the numbers match; the number that they marked upon this rifle was “1534”. This appears on the bolt body and shroud. The trigger bow, the magazine floor plate. However, the original Wehrmacht numbers they have replaced, did not match – as they were probably accessed straight out of a parts bin.
Stock fittings which complete the rifle include; bayonet fitting nose-cap, mid-band with side mount for sling but not cleaning rod. It should be a short 10″ type. Rear sights are graduated from 100 to 2000 meters with no windage adjustment. The front inverted “V” sight is mounted on a plain-sided ramp with no relief for a sprung sight cover. Pre-Russian numbering on the bolt does not match the rifle – as expected. The bolt face is in good condition. Non-marked sprung muzzle protector with rifle. The bore is strong and clean with good rifling. Action is mechanically fine and rifle is 2018 UK proofed. Undoubtedly, a rifle with some considerable history attached to it.
Please ask for stock No’ f 717
£ 845. SOLD
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