K98 sniper variations

[Thomas Schwend]

Hi, Could anyone help me out with the various k98 sniper variations? How are the telescopes mounted onto the rifles? Are there any clamp on models? Were there special sniper recievers built for the k98?
Thanks for your help.
Thomas

[bodes]

Hi, Could anyone help me out with the various k98 sniper variations? How are the telescopes mounted onto the rifles? Are there any clamp on models? Were there special sniper recievers built for the k98?
Thanks for your help.
Thomas

Thomas, There's a book called "The German Sniper 1914-1945" by Peter Senich....It should tell you everything you need to know....Bodes

[Ostmark]

Thats a good book ... i would also recommend to buy it, but its not cheap in europa

[Ben]

Also recommended is the book "Backbone of the Wehrmacht volume II, Sniper Variations of the German K98k Rifle" by Richard D. Law.
Has some mistakes in it (as does the Sennich book) but is still a good guide.

[sszza2]

If you want to study original WWI and WWII German sniping rifles - buy Senich. If you want to see what a lot of fakes and fantasy pieces look like buy 'Sniper Variations' by Law. No comparison between the two books. Unless you are really familiar with original specimens run screaming from Law.

Scott B

[Ben]

Scott,

I agree that there are quite a few "questionable" pieces in Law. It is an endless discussion that has been going on now for many years.
Specially in the SS-SSR and Double claw sections. However, the descriptions are clear and there are also plenty of original rifles pictured in there. The pictures are clearer than the ones in Sennich. As to Sennich, there are also questionable pieces in there. If one wants to gain some generic knowledge on German sniper rifles I would advice to simply buy both as the ultimate book on German sniper rifles has not been written yet. I doubt it ever will.

[Willi Z.]

I agree with Ben, both books have some odd pieces. Especially when you deal with the double claw and short side rail rifles. That is also why most sniper collectors don't focus on those styles. Too many "it could be unit level made" issues.

The Law book has some great information. So, does Senich......and my first copy of his book is rather worn from turning the pages!

[petermac]

I agree with the above, both books are useful when read together but even then you don't get the whole story. I tend to prefer the Senich but I wish the pictures were reproduced a bit better.

I recently bought a new copy of the Senich for a present and I found a cheap(ish) source at www.Paperbackshop.co.uk where I was charged just over 45 Euros, a snip compared to the 80 Euros a copy was going for in central London. Delivery took a while because it was sent direct from the US but it was in perfect condition.

Peter

[Alan Smith]

Mr. Law - deceased?

Just wondering: shortly after Law's 98k books came out several years ago (heck, I guess it's been 8-10 years or so), someone told me that Mr. Law had passed away.

Any word on Mr. Law's status? If still alive, is he planning to update/revise his books?

[Willi Z.]

Mr. Law passed away several years ago. He did revise his K98k book before his sniper book came out.

[Thomas Schwend]

Thanks for the references everyone!
Thomas

[sszza2]

Couldnt disagree more. My primary collecting focus is SS rifles including sniping variations. The quality of information and specimens is especially disparate in the SS double claw and SSR sections. The bnz single claws depicted in 'BBOTW Sniper Variations' are also quite hideous. Law is at his best when translating period documents and at his worst when interpreting the "genuine article". I buy every book I can on German martial arms. Good or bad there is always some value. However, I would hesitate advising a beginner to buy a book filled with fakes as a source to begin a study of snipers.

Scott B

[bodes]

Couldnt disagree more. My primary collecting focus is SS rifles including sniping variations. The quality of information and specimens is especially disparate in the SS double claw and SSR sections. The bnz single claws depicted in 'BBOTW Sniper Variations' are also quite hideous. Law is at his best when translating period documents and at his worst when interpreting the "genuine article". I buy every book I can on German martial arms. Good or bad there is always some value. However, I would hesitate advising a beginner to buy a book filled with fakes as a source to begin a study of snipers.

Scott B

My thoughts are these books are just "stepping stones" in the learning process....The reason I recomended Senich's book was because Thomas wanted some information of the various types of German snipers and how they are assembled.....Senich's book has its flaws and so does Law's....No reference book is perfect, this is true.....Is it possible information to write a good book is often lacking because of problem finding people who will allow their items to be used?.....That coupled with the fact that it's hard to get advanced collectors to agree on all aspects of a topic?.....A book would never be written if the author waited to get everybody to agree on opinions in a book.....Bodes

[airbiscuit]

Both books contain fakes. I know for a fact the Law books do. Listen to SSZZ, he knows what he speaks.

[gew98]

I would recommend Senich's book .As for Law's book on snippers...er snipers....it's not even good toiletry paper !!!. As such the latter book would not even merit for a stepping stone reference as it is simply too flawed and can only confuse and disorientate .