Israeli K98 Mauser Sniper by Fabric National…………SOLD

A Very Interesting Sniping Rifle produced for the Israelis in 1958

At first glance, a German K98 Sniper, but not so.  This rifle was produced in December of 1958 for the Israeli Army.  They then added their own choice of scope and mounts to further improve on what they knew was an effective and proven battlefield sniping system.

This Mauser is chambered in the 7.62mm NATO round.  It still has the five shot internal magazine and classic Mauser bolt system with flag safety.  Overall the rifle is 45″ in length.  The round parkerised barrel is 23.1/4″ long with standard right hand twist rifling.  The conventional Mauser bolt with “bent” handle has an extended safety and the digits “0680” stamped crudely onto a rough patch on the bolt stem.  The full serial number is stamped onto the side of the breech “200,680”.  Adjacent to the numbers, but on the side wall of the action is the following: “FAB.NAT. D’ARMES de GUERRE / HERSTAL  BELGIQUE.”  The bolt release catch is situated to the rear on the same side.

On top round of the barrel, just behind the rear sights is the date of production; “12 – 58.”  The conventional K98 rear sights have no identifying markings, and are graduated from 100 to 2000 meters.  The front sight is hooded and pinned to protect the blade.  Conventional Mauser trigger guard and magazine floor plate fixed by screws with  locking screws intact.  Normal nose cap and bayonet fitting but, the mid-band has no provision to take the front end of the sling.  The sling instead, is attached by two additional swiveling mounts fixed into the stock – the front half way up the for-end, the rear in the conventional place on the butt.  Attached to the two sling swivels is a wide webbing military-type adjustable sling.

The butt stock has been modified.  K98s never really had provision to lift the users face from the stock , to scope height.  This Israeli version has attended to that problem by equipping the rifle with just such a cheek piece.  The butt has also been extended by the adding approximately 1.3/4″ of  timber to the stock, so extending it.    They have also seen fit to add recoil pads to both extensions.  In total they have added 2.3/4″ to the pull length.  In a word, “It aint’ pretty…”  but it does the job.  Affixed to the rear of the stock is a blue and white sticker which apparently means Israeli Coastal Police Force.  On the same side of the stock is a name carved in to the stock which has been translated as “Danny _ _ _ _ _ ”  There are two distinct carved straight lines on the LHS of the wrist which look purposely applied and do not look like “falling over” damage.

 The scope mounting system is fixed to the same points as the original turret mounting system used in WW2.    The mounts are “see-through” to allow the use of the open sights if required. They allow quick easy mounting of the scope as they hook into the rear mount and when engaged, the front mount, which is powerfully sprung, pulls the scope forwards, thus locking it into position. Mounted on these sturdy bases is a “Wild” built scope, which once in position is actually held off center of the main axis of the rifle.  It is specified as a 4 x 30mm unit.  The optics are very good with a clear post and rail reticle.  The whole of the scope is painted in its original drab green paint finish.  The paint is heavily chipped and scratched showing some considerable usage.  The unit has staggered windage and elevation drums mounted halfway along its length.  The “object” end has  the specifications and a serial number towards the top of the external surface;  “4 x 30  /  200700” once highlighted in white.  Towards the rear are the star symbol and another unknown shape.

This rugged rifle has survived fifty-five years and when produced, was as far as the development of its type went, yet it still has a lot of life left in it.  It is ironic that the Israeli nation chose this weapon to defend their fledgling nation considering its lineage.  As a collectible it is to its advantage that nobody has tried to tidy it up, make it look better – it is as it should be.  Many 7.62 conversions are on the market but, there are precious few genuine sniper variants that appear for sale to the general shooting community, it is a rare opportunity.

Stock No’  f 359

£ 2650. 

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