Description
In genuine excellent condition for a battle rifle which has definitely seen war service, this is a very desirable example of a hard to find pre-war 1937 production K98k Mauser German WW2 service rifle which is almost completely matching. The front & rear barrel bands, floor plate, barrel, receiver, bolt handle, rear sight & walnut stock are all matching numbered with only some bolt parts which have been swapped out during its service life & comes complete with correct 10” cleaning rod.
This Karabiner 98k (K98) was made by the actual Mauser factory in 1937 as identified by S/42 being stamped on the receiver ring with 1937 being the year of manufacture. It is covered in correct 63 & 359 Waffenamts & eagle firing proof in all the right places. Correctly, being pre-war it also has some Weimar Republic proofs, being the eagle with downward pointing wings (see photos of the side of the receiver). It displays the standard Waffenamt proofs & single firing proof on the barrel & receiver, with “Mod. 98” marked on the receiver wall. The top rear section of the barrel is missing the stamped calibre as later rifles had. Being pre-war, it is fitted with a correct solid walnut stock, instead of the standard laminated stock & is in original, unmolested condition. Although it has clearly seen service it has been restored well without being refinished. The stock is fitted with the correct style cupped buttplate which appears original & is marked 9854n in the correct place.
This is an excellent example of a pre-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.
According to records & as described by Richard Law on page 48 of ‘Backbone of the Wehrmacht’ only 256,312 were manufactured that year. Considering the wartime attrition rate & post war tombuggery, this a highly desirable & collectable rifle.
We would call it a mint condition display grade example & is definitely a good example of a collector grade pre-war rifle from the original manufacturer with real history. Pre-war Mauser produced K98’s have always been hard to find & all K98’s have become very desirable as they are getting harder & harder to find, let alone matching.
This rifle ticks the boxes…almost completely matching, truly original, in great original condition & not a Russian Capture.
View all of the photos carefully as these form the main description & override all others.
Being sold on consignment for a collector.
