Description
Mint, rare & all matching other than bolt, which completely matches itself.
This mostly matching numbered rifle is in impeccable condition as can be seen in the photos & has all the hallmarks of being a war trophy, having been taken home after the war by a US GI.
Visible matching numbers include barrel, receiver, floor plate, front sight, rear sight, both barrel bands, magazine follower, stock & even the capture screws on the floor plate are correctly numbered!
The complete bolt (including extractor & safety) are numbered 2353 & everything matches itself.
In 1941 the Mauser production code changed from “42” to “byf”. The top of the receiver ring is marked ‘42’ over 1938, the right side is marked with Waffenamt proofs which were the acceptance codes for Mauser Oberndorf & the left side is marked with the Nazi firing proof (Nazi Eagle or ‘Reich Adler’) & the serial number.
It looks all correct including the flat butt plate laminate stock which according to ‘Backbone of the Wehrmacht’ by Richard Law, began to be issued in 1938 although many were fitted with the solid walnut until these were used up, making this rifle one of the more scarce examples plus it retains the original 10” cleaning rod.
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 57 of ‘Backbone of the Wehrmacht’ only 241,606 were manufactured that year & most were fitted with the walnut stocks, making this a highly desirable & collectable rifle.
It presents as all original as can be seen in the photos. The wood is very good with minimal marks & it has plenty of the original blue still present as can be seen in the photos.
The bore is excellent, shiny with lots of rifling clearly visible, so definitely a shooter!
Do your own research & you will see that this great example of a hard to find mostly matching numbered Kar98k would make an excellent addition to any serious Mauser collection or a great start to one.
We are offering this rifle as a collectable piece of military history & acknowledge the grievous atrocities committed by the Nazi regime & some of its military, particularly toward the peoples of occupied territory & the Jewish population in Europe. In no way do we condone or glorify the Nazi regime which must be remembered for the vile stain on human history that it was.
We try hard to take high quality photos but condition is probably better than appears in the photos.
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.
