Description
Recently imported from the US & offered for sale is this very nice early-mid war K98k made by JP Sauer & Sohn, one of Germany’s’ oldest firearms manufactures.
This has all the hallmarks of being a war trophy, having been taken home after the war by a US GI.
In 1941 the Sauer production code changed from “147” to a script “ce”. The top of the receiver ring is marked ‘ce’ over 41, 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 which shows it was made in early 1941. Interestingly, the ‘Mod. 98’ is missing.
Serial numbers were issued in batches of 10,000 with a letter suffix meaning this was made very early in 1941, in fact it looks like it was the 12,505th made that year.
It looks all correct including the laminate stock with the correct cupped butt plate, milled barrel bands, floorplate & trigger guard plus it retains the original cleaning rod.
This is a very good example of an early-mid 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 some of the original blue still present (which is darker than appears in the photos), although the barrel bands & butt plate have almost no blueing left at all.
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).
Not unusually, for a rifle that saw active service with the Wehrmacht & was kept in the field for four years, it is not matching numbered.
Do your own research & you will see that this nice example of a non RC 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.
