Help w/K98 Stock Markings and value range

[LeeM]

Hello All,
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I have this K98 stock and was curious about some of the markings and also wanted to know an approximate value range. I have someone interested, but have no clue how much. Any and all help would be appreciated.
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Regards,
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Lee
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1<SUP>st</SUP> photo. It is marked with 2 acceptance stamps. Was this common?

[LeeM]

What do the "P" and "9" mean?

[LeeM]

Stock

[LeeM]

Other side

[LeeM]

Re-numbered part

[LeeM]

Os

[LeeM]

What does the "S" mean?

[LeeM]

Does not show up well in the photo (eagle with a “H” under it), but I believe that this is an army acceptance stamp?<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o></o>

[bodes]

Lee, I believe 'p' is designation for it being a replacement stock or rifle using salvaged/re-used parts......The crossed out number on the band would verify this.....As for value, I'd say in $150-200 range.....Bodes

[James Purnell]

You have a 98k armorers stock. It was made as a spare part by Mauser Oberndorf and the large 42 stamped into the stocks spine identifes it as such. The two E/655 markings are Mauser Oberndorf inspection markings. The meaning of the P marking hasn't been identified, but it is commonly found on stocks originating from Oberndorf, Borsigwalde, and a few others around the 38-42 timeframe. It is by no means an indicator of replacement. Your rear band with Gothic S and E/37 markings is a JP Sauer manufactured armorers part. Your stock was fitted to a rifle at one time and serial numbered to that rifle. I would also think that the facility responsible for the work was under Heer control and placed the E/H branch marking under the takedown disk. It's not the type of branch marking Oberndorf would have used at this stocks time of manufacture. The flat buttplate on your stock, 42, and E/655 inspection markings allow for a late 1939-mid 1941 production timeframe.

Value is subjective, but the stock wears a different rifles serial number, which is a detractor, and for me I would say 75.00-150.00. Ebay may say different. Unserialed 98k armorers stocks will bring big money.

Jim

[bodes]

James, It having a Weimar eagle H in the side of the buttstock, would be my guess closer to the '39 timeline......I agree the 'P' designation is something that hasn't been 100% decyphered, but I believe I heard from a fellow advanced collector that it does indeed have something to do with it being a replacement stock or "recycled" parts (?).....Probably one of those things we'll never know for sure....Bodes

[James Purnell]

I'd completly disagree with your friend regarding the P marking. I own correct matching original rifles with this marking and have seen many others. As I mentioned it's a common marking on Oberndorf, Borsigwalde, and Erma rifles from the time period. No relation to replacement at all. The branch marking really doesn't offer any help with this stocks production date. I'ts not of a type that would have been used by Mauser Oberndorf in the time period we're talking about or even before. I would suspect it was stamped after the stock was made by the facility that fitted the wood. Although I didn't mention it in my first post the stock does use a large takedown disk. A feature seen in the 40-41 timeframe by Mauser Oberndorf, so I would place the manufacture time in that area.

Jim

[bodes]

I'd completly disagree with your friend regarding the P marking. I own correct matching original rifles with this marking and have seen many others. As I mentioned it's a common marking on Oberndorf, Borsigwalde, and Erma rifles from the time period. No relation to replacement at all. The branch marking really doesn't offer any help with this stocks production date. I'ts not of a type that would have been used by Mauser Oberndorf in the time period we're talking about or even before. I would suspect it was stamped after the stock was made by the facility that fitted the wood. Although I didn't mention it in my first post the stock does use a large takedown disk. A feature seen in the 40-41 timeframe by Mauser Oberndorf, so I would place the manufacture time in that area.

Jim

Jim, I did have an all original '37 Boriswalde that was lacking any such 'P' designation.....It did however have the 'k' which I believe is the designation for the stock being for use on a K98k configuration only.....Bodes

[James Purnell]

I agree on the "K" marking. With foreign long rifles contracts still being manufactured and sporting rifles, this was probably a quick identifier for 98k specific parts. The only observation that I can make regarding the "P" marking is that it does seem to appear around the same time as laminated wood. I can't recall seeing this marking on a walnut stock, even though walnut was still used well after the P mark shows up. I have 39,40,and 41 Borsigwalde rifles in laminated beech and all three are P marked. Maybe others can comment on "P" marked walnut stocks.

Jim

[bodes]

I agree on the "K" marking. With foreign long rifles contracts still being manufactured and sporting rifles, this was probably a quick identifier for 98k specific parts. The only observation that I can make regarding the "P" marking is that it does seem to appear around the same time as laminated wood. I can't recall seeing this marking on a walnut stock, even though walnut was still used well after the P mark shows up. I have 39,40,and 41 Borsigwalde rifles in laminated beech and all three are P marked. Maybe others can comment on "P" marked walnut stocks.

Jim

Jim, Strange enough my Boriswalde was a laminated stock as well.....Bodes