Interesting Post War K98k “Mod 98 / swp 45″… (F 979) SOLD

Interesting Brno CZ Ethiopian Mauser

An interesting chapter in the extensive story of the appearance of the K98 around the world.  These K98k rifles were actually produced after the Second World War by CZ Brno on all the same tooling and equipment set up and left behind by the Germans at the end of the conflict.  Chambered in the same round (7.92 x 58) 8mm Mauser with a 5-shot internal magazine and Mauser bolt system.  Everything was the same as the directed German production, with the exception of the bulbous trigger guard.  These were modelled on the 03-A3 Remington item but with the edition of the large trigger guard ring for use with gloves. One doesn’t immediately associate cold conditions with the African country of Ethiopia but it does get really cold in the desert at night out there. So they developed this trigger guard to counter that problem.

Haile Selassie Emperor of Ethiopia managed to circumnavigate the pressures of the Imperialistic British who were keen to absorb his country into their Empire and source these weapons from the Czechs who were happy to supply anyone who wanted to send money for arms to boost their war torn economy. Many of the war time markings were used on these rifles with the exception in most cases of the Eagle and Swastikas of the Third Reich.  So this rifle has what appear to be war time codes on the receiver; ” Mod 98 / swp/45″  The serial number “215 H” also appears in all the normal places. However, with careful inspection, one can see the Rampant Lion proof mark of Czechoslovakia on the LHS of the receiver and barrel shank.  Also on the barrel shank (between the rear sight and the receiver ring) are the manufacturer barrel marks of the Brno factory.

All of the rest of the features on the rifle are late war type fittings.  The laminated stock.  The lack of strip-down dick in the butt but the use of the simple hole in the cupped butt-plate.  The normal through stock slot and relief cuts for the use of a side mounted sling.  The pressed and crudely welded barrel bands with the exception of the Czechs returning the use of the spring between bands.  The bayonet mounting point and hole for cleaning rod are in place.  The front sight ramp is also grooved for a sprung sight protector though this one is absent.  Rear sights as per normal ranging from 100 to 2000 meters.

Stock devoid of markings but with one interesting difference; the RHS of the butt stock has the addition of a metal disc, not unlike an ID disk but it is engraved with an image of Saint George and the dragon – the patron saint of Ethiopia as they were a Christian Orthodox country.  You will not find this on any other Mausers. In quantity they are quite few in comparison to all the other Mausers from around the world making this rifle quite unique and rare in collectors terms.  One other thing concerning this actual rifle, it has a brand new Lothar-Walther barrel – only been proof fired.  Markings from the original barrel which had a worn-out bore have been “lifted” and place upon this new barrel. The action was then re-head spaced  and submitted for proof which it passed.  Accuracy will not be a problem.

An interesting addition to any serious Mauser collectors collection and a serious contender now in any competition.

Stock No’ F 979

£ 1445.  (SOLD)

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