WW11 K98 Mauser

[Allan P.]

Please could anyone recommend a site that has some good photos of the K98 mauser?

Thanks,

Allan

[jlava]

not photos, but might be of interest..
http://www.radix.net/~bbrown/codes_full.html

http://home.thezone.net/~k98k/k98kframe.html
http://homepage.floodcity.net/users/nj3t/indxk98.html

http://www.alltel.net/~randyric/rmk98.htm

might also check at ... sites where people sell guns, but allot have phots of item in question
http://www.auctionarms.com
http://www.gunsamerica.com

there is also a forum at
http://www.gunboards.com/forums

[Matt Weber]

If you are seriously interested in K98s, do yourself a favor, and buy the Backbone book!

Matt

[Charles_Rempe]

Matt,
Where could I find this book ? I am very interested in
purchasing a collectable and a shooter. Any Dealer
recomendations ? Thanks.

Charles

[Gene]

Collector Grade Publications:

http://www.collectorgrade.com/bookshelf1.html

[Matt Weber]

k98

Charles,

I'm not sure where you can get the book, but I'm sure you've heard of it. Its titled "Backbone of the Wehrmacht" by Richard D. Law. He also has another book on the sniper variants which I would highly recommend as well.

As for getting a K98, you can find them at just about any gun show. If you just want a shooter, then I would recommend getting a mismatched import from an importer like Interordanance. They have a web site at- www.interordnance.com.

As far as a collector grade K98. You want it to be all matching, original wood, and complete with accesories (like cleaning rod, sling, and site hood if applicable.) These are becoming hard to find, and are also being faked quit often. I just got back from the SOS show in Louisville, and I couldn't believe how many fakes I saw there!



I remember one in particular that had me puzzled for a few minutes. I looked at the gun it was a byf43 I believe. The serial number on the reciever was 8202d. I looked at the bolt and it was 8202d. I looked at the floorplate, and it was 8202d, but the first "2" looked funny on it? I then looked at the reciever again, and found that the first "2" also looked funny. I then looked under the rear site, and found the truth! It was marked 8102!!! I then looked at the bolt again. It was very clearly marked 8202. This gun was all original with S/n- 8102d. The bolt was mismatched, and someone had stamped a number "2" over the number "1" on the other parts of the gun, but forgot to do the rear site!!!!
I asked the dealer how much he was asking for it. He said $950! I then showed him that it was a mismatch. He quickly changed his offer to $600!!!

You have to be very careful with K98s. Many dealer will actually grind off the numbers, and put new ones on it to match. Also the stocks are greatly faked as well.
You should be able to get a good mismatched shooter for about $300. For an all matching original, your looking at about $650-$800 (depending on condition, year, and maker).

I have a dealer friend of mine who just got in two K98s. One is all matching, but the stock is mismatched to the gun. The other one is an original sniper (ZF41), but has a mismatched bolt! That's what we call a poor mans' sniper!
His web site is- www.checkpointcharlies.com. If your interested in any of these, I can personally inspect them for you, and give you my opinion on them.

Matt

[Charles_Rempe]

Gene ,
Thanks for the link for the book. I just ordered my copy.
Charles

[Charles_Rempe]

Matt,
Many Thanks for all the tips !! I just ordered a copy of
"Backbone of the Wehrmacht" which I plan on reading
cover to cover. The fake stocks, are they obvious to
identify ? Are all the original stocks proofed marked in
any way ? You mention " mismatched " stock, Is it a common
practice that dealers will swap the stocks on the K98's ?
I am sure my new book will educate me on all the SN locations
ect. But the stock thing concerns me. Thanks again.
I will check your friends website.

Charles

[Greg S]

Thanks Gene I ordered one as well. I have a K98, can anyone tell me anything it has a number 147 where I would normally see letters like byf above where the bolt locks and 1940 below that? Does that say anything or is it one of those not-enough-info or have to see it? I feel like I'm describing a noise to mechanics.

Thanks

[Gene]

Greg,

According to "Backbone of the Wehrmacht" your rifle codes out to being made by J.P. Sauer und Sohn (147) and 1940 being the date of production. Total number of rifles made by them in 1940 was 215,188. Is it all matching? On the right side of the stock, below the metal "takedown disc" there should be two Waffenamt eagles along with either an H (Heer), L (Luftwaffe) or M (Kriegsmarine). Let us know it's condition and such, and if possible, post pics. Good luck--

[Greg S]

Gene, its all matching 8871. If your talking about the metal circular disk in the buttstock with the hole that goes all the way through then there is only one waffenamt eagle about 1/2 inch high but no L, M, or H. Condition isn't great but is good, no pitting and smooth bolt action. Loose and removable front top forearm (that piece of wood in front of the front sight).

I have pictures of it under SOS (South of the Sabine) in the Kneipe forum. No detail though to far away.

[Gene]

Does the stock's serial number match the rest of the rifle? It should be found on the bottom of the stock, between the grip and butt.

[Greg S]

Yes it does.

[Matt Weber]

stocks!

Charles,

Mismatched stocks are quite common now. A dealer may have an all matching gun with a damaged or broken stock. He will buy a mismatched gun (or shooter) that has a good stock, and switch them! He can also buy stocks seperately.
Spotting mismatched stocks can be as hard as spotting an original panzer badge, in a sea of fakes!

The book you ordered will tell you exactly what type of stock was used for any particular maker, and year. Also it will give you the markings to look for. As previously mentioned, most stock will be serialized with to match the numbers on the gun. I have a K98, it is a "bcd 43" S/n-2812b. The stock also has this number "2812b" stamped on the left side between the grip and the buttplate. The nazi eagle proof is stamped on the left side in the same location. Most fakes will be sanded (thus removing the old S/N and the nazi eagle marks as well), and refinished.

Stocks come in a variety of finishes as well. Mine has a laminated stock, that is stained, but not varnished. Some stocks will be both stained and varnised, some will be not stained but varnished, and others will have no stain and no varnish at all!!

If you read that book carefully, then you should be able to understand the varieties of K98s and thier stocks. That book is the best referance out there on the K98!! You made a wise investment in purchasing it!

Matt

[Charles_Rempe]

Thanks again Matt for the pointers, Im really looking forward
to reading that book. Best regards.
Charles