I am looking for some help with a k98. I would like to know everything I can about this rifle. The markings in front of the chamber are 1920 Erfurt 1918. The front sight is a open sight not a hooded sight. The forend of the stock does not extend to the end of the muzzle like all the other k98s I have looked at. ( possibly cut down?) There is no sling mount through the butt stock, the sling mount is a metal bracket mounted on the bottom of the stock. The rifle was brought home by a freinds grandfather. Any help or direction would be greatly appreciated thanks.
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Hi Jason,
I don't know if I can help you, especially without pictures, but according to the date you mentioned and the description you did, I would say you don't own a K98k, but a WWI G98 produced in Erfurt in 1918, then reissued to the new born Reichswehr, as date 1920 tells it. If I remember well, 1920 is the acceptation mark for guns not destroyed at the end of WWI and reissued to Reichswehr troops. Production of WWII K98k started in 1934/1935. All the features you described lead to a late WWI G98 which is taller than the K98k. I wish you all the possible luck to find an original sling for this one !
If it helps
ciao! -
JPhilip, thank you for for your help. I will post some pics when I figure out how. I failed to mention that it is stamped kar 98 on the left side of the action. I do not know if that makes a difference. I would like to know some what of a value if it is a WWI G98. It is in extraordinary condition but I am not sure of the caliber it is not stamped anywhere.Comment
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Hi Jason,
the caliber is the same for K98k or G98 : 7.92 mm (I think this is 8 x 57)
I guess the new info about marking Kar98 is important. It is hard to tell without pictures, but during WWI the germans also used a shortened version of G98 called Kar98a, intented for cavalry (if I remember well) and some other troops. I think late WWI Stromtruppen used it a lot. Main differences between two weapons is of course the length, but also the shape of rearming piece on bolt action (don't remember english name) : it's straight on a G98, and bent down along the stock on a Kar98 (plus more differents details). I'm in hurry to see some pics as you said it was in perfect condition. I can't tell you about prices in the USA because France and your country have differents laws. It is easier and cheaper for you to get firing weapons. It is not allowed in France to own such guns without being a sport shooter or something like that. No way. But I can tell you something about prices in France. A G98 in very good condition unmessed, with original sling will be around 400 euro ($531). For a Kar98a in the same condition, I think you can ask for mucho dinero. Six years ago, a friend of mine sold one deactivated for a very good price. I don't want to tell you wrong things, but it was something like the triple or more of the G98 price I told you. I think they are quite rare now...post some pics and we'll know for sure
ciao!
this is a G98Last edited by JPhilip; 12-09-2006, 07:35 PM.Comment
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and this is a Kar98aComment
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Hi JPhilip, For some reason I cannot post the pics, Ill have to get my computer guru ( my wife) to help. The pic of the k98a looks about right except the forend. I did find that after WWI and the Treaty of Versailles German citizens were not able to have military weapons so the G98s that were not destroyed were rechambered to 8x60 spitz also fitted with a turned down bolt and a shorter stock cut back behind the bayonet mount. It sounds like a sporter version for hunting. The description matches everything about my rifle. It also may explain why it was brought home in the early years of WWII. I will try to get the pictures up tonight. Thanks again Jason D.Comment
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Hi again Jason,
So we have a problem here because your gun has the double date 1918/1920. It means that this specific weapon was reissued after the war to Reichswehr troops and not kept by any civilian as sporting weapon. So the caliber should be the same as war one : 8 x 57, IMO.
The date "1920" is a military acceptation/reception marking and a proof of property of german army concerning this weapon.
ciao!Comment
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The kar98a - even if post WW1 reworked , if it is not in military configuration and in the german 7,92 military caliber has been sporterized by someone somewhere.
Some kar98a's in the hands of the SS were rebuilt as a 98k pattern rifle as the SS was in dire straights to get more modern rifles for most of it's life. The kar98a to 98k reworks are fairly scarce - especially if matching in original trim. But these too will be military configuration with bayonet lug , cleaning rod and side mounted sling - just like the 98k.
By 1940 the kar98a was pretty much taken from the armed forces and redistributed to the Polizei in general. The polizei got large numbers of captured polish K98's ( polish version of the german Kar98a ) as well and this is evidenced in many pictures of them so armed.
In the US the kar98a is not an uncommon rifle - many were souvenired in both wars. Just as with anything collectable it's all about condition. Some of these still have some collector value if they can be rstored by finding oriignal period military parts to put them right...they just won't match and hence value does decline when compared to a matching unboinkered with example.
German stosstroops did use the kar98a in large numbers when available - earlier than "late in WW1". The germans took the ball from the french and ran with this concept in early 1916.By 1918 it was a common application to the german infantry attack schemes.Comment
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Hi gew98,
thanks for the infos
ciao!Comment
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