Description
Recently imported from the US & offered for sale is this nice very pre-war K98k made by JP Sauer & Sohn, one of Germany’s’ oldest firearms manufactures.
In 1938 the Sauer production code was still 147 before it was changed to a script “ce”. The top of the receiver ring is marked 147 over 1938, the right side is marked with Waffenamt proofs which were the acceptance codes for Sauer & the left side is marked with the Nazi firing proof (Nazi Eagle or ‘Reich Adler’) & the serial number.
It also has strange markings which we have never seen before & cannot confirm or positively identify which also appear on the barrel. This may be a rare rifle!
Not unusually, for a rifle that saw active service with the Wehrmacht & was kept in the field for 6 years, it is not fully matching although every visible number including the barrel, receiver, barrel bands, floor plate & butt plate all match, with only the bolt being different.
It looks all correct although the laminate stock with the cupped butt plate (which has the correct number in the right place) did not come out until later meaning this was an arsenal update, shown by the fact the number is not just correct, but in the correct place. It has the correct milled parts including barrel bands, floorplate & trigger guard plus it retains the cleaning rod & sling.
This is a very good example of an early war K98k rifle made when the Germans were still building high quality guns & before the Germans began to introduce changes to production techniques to save time, materials & money.
It presents as all original as can be seen in the photos. The wood is very good with minimal marks & it has much of the original blue still present (which is darker than appears in the photos).
The bore is excellent, shiny with lots of rifling clearly visible, so definitely a shooter! The muzzle will not accept a PPU ‘8mm Mauser’ round, as per photo which demonstrates the barrel is still tight but of course it shoots the original 7.92mm (now called 8×57 or 8mm Mauser).
This has all the hallmarks of being a war trophy, having been taken home after the war by a US GI.
Do your own research & you will see that this nice example of a non RC early war Kar98k would make an excellent addition to any Mauser collection or a great start to one.
Make your decision based on what you see, so please view the photos carefully as they form the main description & override all written information so ask for more if desired.
Whilst we check these out for serviceability, the warranty has expired & these are sold on an as is basis.
As with all used guns, we recommend you have this checked by a suitably qualified person prior to shooting.
Call for shipping cost to your dealer.
