Mauser K98k “dou / 44” Russian Capture……….(F 1017) SOLD

Outstandingly Correct Mauser

This is almost the most certain way of purchasing what you know you are getting, in Mausers these days.  This unfortunate rifle fell into the hands of the Soviets in the late stages of the war.  All the signs are there to see and why would anybody wish to fake a rifle of this pedigree.  Receiver code indicates the rifle started life as a regular “dou” – Czechoslovakian  piece in 1944.  It was then unfortunate enough to be sent to the Eastern Front along with its unlucky user.  Somewhere after 1944 they parted company and the rifle ended up in a Russian military facility where it was unceremoniously stripped down, checked over then reassembled along with thousands of others in a very mixed fashion. The serial number from the main components “1010” electro-pencilled on other parts and reassembled, then thrown back into the desperate fight against the Nazis.  You can’t plot the progress of many military rifles as they were produced in such large numbers, but you can be fairly certain this was the way the war panned out for this particular K98. However, one further interesting conclusion we can draw from close inspection of this rifle is that, it was hardly used!  The bore is extremely fine.  Bright clear with no damage.

Built to standard Mauser military specification, chambered in 7.92 x 57mm with a five-shot internal magazine and Mauser turn-bolt system.  The bolt has the bent-down arm and flag safety to the rear.  Overall the rifle is 43.1/2″ long. The heavily blacked round barrel is a nominal 24″ in length.  The trigger pull is 13″ to centre.  The rifle itself feels quite weighty and is in a very full European Walnut.  Normally, by this stage of the war it should be in a laminated stock. Obviously the exchange has occurred with the Russians as they have also stamped into the LHS of the butt he rifles number as they see it “1010”.  The rifles actual number is “1010/aa” but they have ignored the suffix. On the RHS of the butt in the same position the original Army “H” for “Heer” and other inspection stamps have survived.  The stock is equipped with the stock bolt strip-down disk, sling slot and flat steel butt-plate.  The stock is in good used condition with a thick wrist.

The receiver is marked as original with “dou / 44” on the top. The Russians have added their simple deeply struck “X” to the receiver.   The outside of the action wall is marked “Mod.98”  The serial number in visible on the LHS of the breech end of the barrel.  And its at this point that German efficiency and regulations have been fairly and squarely booted out of the workshop; all the rest of the main components have had “1010” electro pencilled on to them.  The bolt and its components. The trigger plate and magazine floor plate and the underside of the rear sight.  Also there has been a lot of waffenamt removal, including upon the receiver above the “dou” mark.  Only Eagles remaining in really inaccessible places have been left alone.  Lastly the Soviets have treated the whole of the steel-work to a really strong black – this has effectively preserved the rifle to some degree.

Cleaning rod under barrel stowed through bayonet fitting-nose cap.  Hooded front sight.  Rear sight graduated from 100 to 2000 meters.  Milled mid-band and pressed front band.  This rifle may not look classically pretty but it does show some history, and hints of places where I don’t think I would want to go.  It is going to shoot well, if the bore is anything to go by.  This is a piece of history – not to have noses turned up at – In my humble opinion.

Stock No’ F 1017

£ 650. SOLD

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