K98 S/42 1937 Portuguese contract

[argan]

Hallo all.

I would like to start a discussion about K98 Mauser production, Portuguese contract.

In the Backbone of the Wehrmacht, Coll.Grade Pubbl., there are 2 K98 Portuguese contract shown:

- 1937 S/42 with all characteristics all we know (crest on the receiver, sling swivels lateral and under the stock, walnut stock without crest)
- 1941 with Crest on the receiver but all characteristics of a typical K98 german productions, with the laminated stock with Portuguese crest at its right.

I know but, there was a "1st" production for Portugal in 1937 that had "S/42 1937" on the receiver, and the Portuguese crest only on the right of the stock. This was perhaps because Mauser didn't already have the stamps of the crest for the receiver.
This model, toghether with the standard Portuguese model of 1937, were sold by Portugal about 15 years ago, and widespread in many countries.
Both models were perfectly "one serial number" on all components and quite unissued.

But there are no pictures known about this model I say!!
all know the portuguese models with the crest on the receiver, but only few know there was also another.. so S/42 1937 mausers are sold as texbook models German production, only with little cleaning of the stock!

I hope someone will be able to find pitures of this..so we can show without doubts what I'm saying..!!

What do you think about??
I hope experts of this field will be able to open a great interesting research!

Thank you very much for your time!
All the best,

Argan

[argan]

[phild]

I don't know a lot about these contracts and rifles. I think that I am aware of the S/42 marked ones that you described and I will check my resources for more information.

I can tell you that a large lot of both the 37 contract and the 41 contract rifles were sold to importers (Waffen Franconia??) a least 32 years and probably several years earlier. These were widely available in Germany by 1980 at least.

I can also tell you that the 1941 contract generally (and I suspect fully) had soild Walnut stocks with cupped buttplates and that many in this 1941 series were retained by the Wehrmacht and never shipped to Portugal.

[Mike Steves]

You are correct, the very first Portuguese contract rifles were simply S/42 1937 marked rifles (very early examples are S/42 1936, very rare) from standard German production. These rifles used the original German serial numbering on the rifle, with a Portuguese crest added to the stock. Below the crest is a unique serial number related to the Portuguese contract which does not match the rifle serial number. We have 1 1937 dated example pictured in our upcoming book, and a nice list of known examples by serial number.

[AndyB]

Yes this is confirmed, the configuration is K98k and not the later delivered Mo937.

[argan]

You are correct, the very first Portuguese contract rifles were simply S/42 1937 marked rifles (very early examples are S/42 1936, very rare) from standard German production. These rifles used the original German serial numbering on the rifle, with a Portuguese crest added to the stock. Below the crest is a unique serial number related to the Portuguese contract which does not match the rifle serial number. We have 1 1937 dated example pictured in our upcoming book, and a nice list of known examples by serial number.

Hallo Mike!
Thank you very much for your great help! You put a final confirm of this theory!

Now, I have an addictional question. I had a look at a S/42 1937 K89k, all matching serial number, with solid walnut stock WITHOUT ANY MARKING, nor WaA neither portuguese crest: appearentely the stock had never been stamped.
This also is visible in "Backbone of the Wehermacht", where S/42 1937 example german production (not portuguese contract) appears not to have any marking on the stock.
Is this correct? because in the written details the author describes that the stock has the WaA stamp, weimar style.

So, should S/42 1937 german production be marked with WaA or might it also be unmarked?

Because this means that when we see S/42 1937 with unmarked stock it might be a portuguese contract with "portuguese crest-cleaned" stock..!!

Your opinion?

thank you!

[Mike Steves]

The problem is the crest is stamped on the right side of the stock. The left side of the stock will have E/63 inspection and Eagle inspection like Army issue K98k rifles. If you can, post some photos of your stock. At the least it will have the serial number on the bottom with inspections.

[AndyB]

Mike probably means a right side of stockend where E/63 is marked, when there is no portugal crest on left side and serial it was probably not delivery to Portugal. or the stock was sanded and the markings are gone.I believe the S/42 for Portugal have not H under NS eagle , but the additional double proofs WaA63 are there.

[argan]

Hallo!

thank you for the replies!

I have not yet the rifle in my hands, so what I say to you is referred from the owner. I think he'll send me some pictures next week.

He says that the stock has a little eagle marked on the right side of the stock, and he doesn't see any "H" under the eagle. the stock is used, so the eagle is very faint.
Appearentely there are no other markings.

The serial number of the rifle is "420x r". all components with same sn.
Do you know also the list of serial numbers belonging to S/42 1937 contract for portugal? In this case we can be sure if this rifle is included in the contract or not..!

Thank you very much!

[AndyB]

I dont know the serial letters but the r could be real, i believe there should be remains of portugal crest on left buttstock or the serial near buttplate. You will see when the gun arrives.

[argan]

I dont know the serial letters but the r could be real, i believe there should be remains of portugal crest on left buttstock or the serial near buttplate. You will see when the gun arrives.

hi Andy!

Surely; I will have a great examination of the stock..!!

Anyway, considering that all components have the same sn, so quite unissued, my opinion is that it is a "camouflaged" portuguese rifle!!

I'll keep all you informed!

All the best

[AndrewH]

Portugese S/42

Hi All

I understand that this is an old thread,and I am also new to this,but I thought you might be interested in the serial number of another one of these rifles I have in Australia Mike.Is a standard early Kar98k.Closer inspection revealed the Portugese crest and number on left buttstock.Has all wiemar waffenamts and S/Ns except one Nazi waffenamt on right of butt stock.This rifles woodwork is pretty well beaten up as though it has seen some action but I believe this never happened with these rifles.German S/N is n6767,for your records if you wish.

Cheers Andrew

[AndyB]

Thanks for serials, and what is the portugal serial number?

[AndrewH]

Portugese S/N

Hi Andy

The Portugese serial can be seen clearly,unfortunatly the numbers are hard to decipher,but I shall give you what I think it is B 5964 mind you the 6 could also be 8.

Cheers Andrew

[olliecw]

Hi there,

I have a S/42 1937 k98, all matching. It does not have the Portuguese crest onthe receiver or the stock, however it has been stamped with a Portuguese serial number on the stock. I would post photos but I can't on this forum.

Ollie