All Matching K98 but....

[shinerb]

it doesn't have a serial number on the stock. Rather it has a single letter (think it's an H) cartouche. Should this concern me?

Thanks.

[Nick_C]

Hello,

To be sure the rifle is 100% matching, you should take out the upperstock above the barrel. There is a number stamped in the wood, so you can check if it matches the rest.

Good luck!

Kind regards,
Nick

[hochadler]

All matching K98

Usually, an eagle over an "H" stamped on the stock would indicate issue to the Heer, or German Army. A solitary H could be something entirely different.

[Ben R]

factory issued rifles were serial numbered on the heel of the stock as well as in the barrel channel. if the H is underneath an eagle below the stock takedown disc, then it is a Heer issue rifle. if it is somewhere else, like on the grip swell, it could be something else entirely (another member said this also)
still, the French burned all the mauser records they could find after the war, and still others disappeared in bombings, soviet lootings, etc, so despite what others say, there are alot of holes in the actual knowledge of 98k rifles and their markings. for example, I own a completely unnumbered stock with the acceptance stamps (yes, its authentic, not a boyds), so I know that anomalies are out there - most likely as an armorers replacement?
anyway, unless you paid a huge amout of money for it, I wouldnt be overly concerned if there is no serial number on your stock. If you like the rifle, that is what counts. Most of them are not perfect, and many of the perfect ones are fake. It went through a war, which is more than you can say for most of the hyper critical mauser collectors you might run into.
Ben

[Bob in OH]

Wrong! Not all matched guns are numbered on the keel.

Early and midwar stocks were numbered on the keel and the barrrel channel. In general, 1941 and earlier were numbered on the keel. After 1941, I would not anticipate those serials in the wood.

Post pics or send them them over to me if interested, for more info...

rmarqu255*aol.com

[shinerb]

I'll try to get my hands on it this weekend. It is a late war model thus the questions. I have an all matching 1937 that has the serial # on the stock thus my initial question.

Here's the H stamp with I suppose waffenampts above it???

[shinerb]

and the area above the barrel. I'm supposing the area under the handguard is where some of you believe there might be a stamp?

[dag001]

and the area above the barrel. I'm supposing the area under the handguard is where some of you believe there might be a stamp?

Also in the internal barrel channel of the stock itself.
The eagle over H is what Ben was referring to when he stated the rifle was Heer issue.
If you could tell us the maker code and year on the receiver, we could tell you exactly where it would or would not be numbered.

OK, now your last three replies have been from Pennsylvania, Ohio & Indiana!! Come on Illinois - it's your turn...

[shinerb]

O.K. Illinois, here's your chance!

BCD Code. only one "4" on the receiver below that.