K98k Scharfschützengewehr. How?

[P08]

I want a K98k sniper rifle. Originals are unobtainable for mortals. Then what? Even if I could afford a genuine I couldn't bring myself to actually use it. Instead I'd do my best to preserve it.

So now I'm thinking reproduction. I know that scope mounts are available as reproductions. What about the scopes? Are they available as reproductions? I don't want a modern scope that is "close to the original". I want one that is made to be exactly like the original. Does that exist?

I would install all this hardware on a genuine but not necessarily matching numbers very good condition K98k.

I want to do this entirely for fun. To experience something at the shooting range that would otherwise not be possible for me. Replicate the feel of the real thing.

So basically I'm looking for hints on; company names, prices, websites, general info, etc. Can anybody help?

[Josh Beckett]

What country are you from, I need to know so it wont get destroyed, and if you get a undrilled sniper rifle, dont put a scope on it that would ruin its history, as for a company I would say www.interordnance.com

Good luck

[P08]

I would never mess up a good collectible K98k for this purpose. Nor would I try to build something out of a scopeless but original sniper (if I had the luck of finding one).

That page seems to have mostly russian firearms on it. I have enough of such firearms

[Jeff V]

You might try
http://www.coledistributing.com/

Type "scope" in their search function and you will come up with a reproduction long side rail scope and mount for $650.00. I have never seen one in the flesh so to speak, but the price does not seem bad. Would probably work good on one of the K98k's that the russians already screwed up. best wishes,
jeff

[r.blue]

P08,
I understand where you are coming from...you simply want a representative piece.
This is what I would do. I would keep an eye out for an original scope...preferrably with original military mounts. After aquiring that I would find some bases. It will probably be easier to find reproduction bases or you could have some made.
Find a really good gunsmith and have him put the rilfe together for you. I would certainly try to mate the correct configuration to the correct rifle...for example, if you do a "LSR" don't make it up on a "byf" or "dot"... put it on a "bcd".
This being said...don't get carried away and try to pass something off that it is not. Make it obvious for future collectors that it is indeed a representative piece.
It can be a fun project and you'll have fun shooting it.
I had a friend that did this once and the job was fantastic...almost too good. But it will provide you with that "look" that you want for far less than the cost of an original.
W.A. member Jeff Diederichs is in the process of doing this now I believe...you may want to try to contact him for some pointers.
Good luck,
R.Blue

[Josh Beckett]

And if you do fire it dont worry about damaging it because the reciever is extra thick.

[Jeff Diederichs]

P08,
As r.blue mentioned, I am in fact well down the same road you are contemplating travelling down. It is a VERY long and detailed subject for one post, but here is a VERY basic view on the subject.

Here is my take:

First, research all the various types of German sniper variants which were fielded, and decide what appeals to you. This will include Short side rail, 2 turret types (High and low), various claw mount types, (single and double claw, with several variations of both), Long side rail, and even some less encountered oddballs like ultra-rare swept back and WWI holdovers. Each one has very specific scope types and rifle platforms which they were based on.

As the old "fast car" addage goes, "speed costs money, how fast do you want to spend?"

If one wanted to get away with the cheapest, most easily concocted type which would appear authentic, I would say the short side rail would be easiest. Many early war K98k rifles would be likely candidates, as the SSR type had the most variation in platform rifles and scope variations - everything from straight laced Mauser to J.P. Sauer, Gew98 WWI holdovers, and who knows what else - possibly any K98k pre 1943 (though there are obviously restrictions of observed LEGIT examples).

Next up is the High Turret - I would say find a byf44 (the single most common code of K98k by the numbers), and contact either Robert at k98k.com (absolutely accurate repro mounts, but pricey) or Iron Eliete for repro HT mounts. There are several scope options for these, but you are more limited.

I personally chose to build a Long Side Rail for one primary reason- I want to absolutely ensure that long after I am gone, I will not be responsible for creating a repro sniper that will be someday misrepresented as original, and muddying up the base of knowledge on German snipers any more than it already is by fakes. True LSR rifles had a specially machined reciever for the scope base mounting, to rectify issues the SSR mounts had, and a reproduction like I am building uses a standard K98k rifle and a shim plate to make the mount fit.

I am pulling out all the stops on my repro, the base rifle is a RC bcd4 in the correct LSR serial range, phosphate, all parts of correct configuration from correct subcontractors for the serial range of the rifle, corect scope and mount for the serial range, correct stock, etc...but it will never be mistaken for original, because of the shim plate. Yes, I mean it, I do not feel I can morally create a bigger problem for future collectors in good conscience...(but I do admit I like late war stuff a little more, hence the LSR). It is for fun, for me, as a shooter, and a project.

Mind you, I have been heavily researching snipers for years, and spent a lot of time learning what is right and what is not, and I am (like all of us) still learning, and that is no exaggeration. It is a very complex subject, once you delve into the details.

Buy the books, learn what you are doing, and go for it, it will be rewarding!

Jeff

[P08]

Thanks for the replies. At least now I know it can be done. But as Jeff D. hints it's still no easy job. I kind of knew that already. What really got me started was a fantastic condition (but NOT matching numbers) 1941 K98k with a ZF41. Prior to that I had never fired at scoped rifle. Needless to say it was fun and since then I really want a scoped K98k.

I love the turmmontage rifles with ZF39, but always considered them out of reach. The ZF41 appeals to me but isn't really a sniper rifle.

Due to my limited funds - and the fact that the rifle will be a home made bastard - prevents me from being demanding. So I aim for function, feel and looks without necessarily to be as correct as Jeff D. and opt for maker codes that fit in with eachother. Anyway the rifle will be non matching numbers and perhaps even a mixed parts gun. That way I won't create a potential "fake sniper" as Jeff D. also wants to avoid (A pad on the shoulder to you Jeff for such a galant opinion, good that there are honest enthusiasts out there). However price also matters of course

I found out that German gun stores sell complete K98k snipers in excellent condition. But at 1800 Euro far too expensive for me (and also too expensive for something that is basically a put together parts gun). I also found an auction for one (side rail with Ajack) that was indeed original but unfortunately reblued. 2500 Euro, out of reach.

[vaughn99]

might have to pass then

well if 3000 USD is out of your reach via financial situations you might have to hold on to your dream a little longer as repro's unless you walk into a super deal will run you 2000-3000 USD depending what you want.

of the 7 different varients many repros are out there average price is about 450 USD just for the mounts.

real deal scope/geniune war time scopes will run 1200-1800 USD WITH OUT ANY MOUNTS ATTACHED. if mounts are attached and missing the base or bases will be 2500-3800 USD depending on the scope.

now if you get a zeiss pre 1945 manufacture will run you 350-800 USD depending on power and what mounting system that you use as some mounts restrict your power selection to a max of 6x.

rifles are all over the place a NON russian capture with 50% matching woudl be a good candidate will run 350-600 USD depending on who you run into and the code your are desired.

if you have a gunsmith do all the work it will run you about 350-400 USD for all the work. hope this helps

repro mounts with repro scopes are running 600-800 depending who sells them. some ppl are just selling repro BMJ and BEK and ZEISS Zielvier scopes is 500 each. so its a good thing is you can get a package deal is the way to go here

50% rifle 425 USD
repro mount and repro scope 650 USD
gunsmith fees 350 USD
TOTAL!!= 1425.00 USD

thanks
vaughn

[SheikAlStranghi]

So where are all these repro mounts and scopes for sale then? anyone selling repro ZF41's? I've been looking for them for ages, but cannot find them...

[GWA]

They're for sale monted on rifles and being passed off as originals at damn near every gun show I go to along with camo and WSS helmets.

[Cincylance]

I built one about 4 years ago. I bought a nice original, non-import BYF K98k (stock is correct, but not serial numbered) and then bought a complete turret mount set-up from Robert in Germany complete with a pre-war original scope which he marked with "cad" just like the wartime scopes. His mounts have a discreet marking which distinguishes them from the originals. A fellow here in the States installed the bases.

Now I have a completely correct copy of a turret sniper for about 1/5th the cost. AND I can shoot it without worrying about hurting an original. I've compared it to a few originals and it is spot-on.

Good luck,
Cincylance

[History]

That is beautiful

[SheikAlStranghi]

Could you -please- give me detailed information on how to do this myself? I'm getting so desperate I'm almost down to buying a Mosin Nagant...

[Gimpy117]

you could always go Zf-41 style...that's all removable

but the scope is a problem...

mount $200

scope $500??

ouch.....too much for a 17 year old kid or you can bet I would have done this...