Early Type J.P.Sauer & Sohn K98 for 1942………………..(F 1212)

An Interesting mid-war K98 by J.P.Sauer & Sohn

Built to standard specification by J.P.Sauer und Sohn Gewehrfabrik, Suhl in 1942.  The slanted script code of “c.e.” on the crest of the receiver, tells us it an early 1942 type, if the letters were lower case but not slanted then the rifle would have been made in late 1942. The simplified “42” just confirms that fact.  As a German rifle it will always be chambered in 8mm Mauser (7.92 x 57mm) as this one is.  Five-shot internal magazine.  Mauser bolt system with three position flag safey to the rear.

However “standard” this rifle started out in it’s military career, evidence suggests it has passed from side to side at least once!  In short, it would be simply described as a “Russian capture”.  If you think about it though, such a description gives alot away.  Namely, that this rifle left Germany sometime after its production date and was fed into the meat grinder of the Eastern Front, maybe in time for Starlingrad in 1943?  At some point its’ user fell or was wounded, or even worse, taken prisiner.  The weapon would have been collected by the Russians after the action and policed up to the rear of battle field.  It then would have been sent to a weapons plant and that is where it became completely mixed up. During the process everything was stripped from the weapon and then individually inspected or tested – such was the distrust the Russians had for the Germans.  Once tested, the rifles were then reassembled, however, keeping sets of numbered parts together was just not a practicle option.  What the Russians wanted were complete, usable weapons. Not matching numbered examples that collectors of the future would love and cherrish! In the end, when completed, the weapons inspectors took the number on the receiver and electro-penciled that number on to other parts of the rifle.

Some factories struck a large “X” into the receiver.  Some were instructed to strike out the swastica below the waffenamts, but all were electro-penciled with that receiver number.  These script numerals are usually found on numerous parts; mainly the bolt body, the floor-plate of the magazine, the trigger guard, the underside of the rear sight and sometimes on other parts of the metal furniture.  In most plants that same number would be struck into the LHS of the butt-stock in plain numerals.  This particular example has an almost complete “X” struck just under the “42”.  The small swasticas beneath the eagle waffenamts have not been struck out but all electro-pencilled marks are there as listed above.

Actual markings upon the receiver ring are as follows; (top/front) “Nazi-style Eagle with the number “37” underneath. “ c.e. / 42 /X.”  RHS of receiver ring; “single waffenamt over 359.”  LHS of receiver ring:”Nazi eagle /  5134  / o”  On the outside of the action wall it is simply marked “Mod.98.”  The barrel is marked on the LHS with a single waffenamt with no number.  The bolt has the correct bent down handle with a set of non-matching numbers and the electro-pencilled numbers.  All other components have mixed numbers.

Interesting stock as a Kriegsmarine stock.  What was a Kriegsmarine rifle doing in Russia? Even if it wasn’t this rifle?  One remembers stories of various unfortunates being sent to the Russian Front for rediculous reasons. Perhaps this unfortunate also got sent there for some minor offence. The markings for the Kriegsmarine are clearly impressed into the RH face of the butt-stock.  It may not be the right stock but, by chance it is actually the correct type, with a cupped butt-plate and a bolt strip down disc.  The number showing on the underside of the butt-stock is “772 / g.”   The rear sights are graduated from 100 to 2000 meters and the rifle has the correct milled front band and mid-band retaining the barrel.  There is no cleaning rod but correct bayonet fitting with drilled hole is in place.  The stock is the correct laminated type in good condition and a matt finish. This rifle is offered with a reproduction new leather sling and a reproductionBakerlite-type handled bayonet.

One of the stranger aspects of these rifles which bears out when you have seen a few is the condition of the bores.  They are mostly very good (as this one is)  As the story that follows them around is that they were seldom actually put back into service, instead being hidden away in storage after all the inspecting and rebuilding !  Bluing is consumate with a rifle of this age and history.  Action is fine. BNP proofed.  Genuine war time German Mausers are becoming very difficult to find so one should not be so quick to turn the proverbrial snout up at such a rifle, just because it had a colourful past.  It was built in the Third Reich and thus will perform as was expected of it at the time.  OAL 43.1/2″  Round stepped barrel 24.1/2″.  Trigger Pull 13″ to center.

Stock No’ F 1212 – FAC Required

£ 845.

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