Description
Genuine SS ‘Totenkopf’ Death Head stamped 1943 Mauser Kar98k with post war GDR (East German) provenance!
Awaiting import from the US & available for pre-sale is this rare example of a Wehrmacht issued Kar98k which was supplied to the SS, as indicated by the 2 x Totenkopf ‘Deaths Head’ stamps which are confirmed correct on page 303 of Richard D Law’s renowned book on the Kar98k, ‘Backbone of the Wehrmacht’ in the chapter on SS marked Kar98’s.
The subject of SS marked K98k’s is controversial on many levels due to malevolent background of the SS. These are highly collectable rifles & have been known to be faked for obvious reasons so caution is always advised when purchasing one of these extremely rare rifles. We obtained this from a reputable dealer we have done business with before so, along with the research we have conducted we are confident this is what it appears to be, an extremely rare & highly desirable piece of WW2 military history.
According to research, SS marked K98’s fall into 5 categories with the first being the Kar98a & Gew98 reworks which, as the title indicates, were rifles which were obtained by the SS & reworked to K98k specs with SS markings placed onto them.
The second variant was marked SSZZA4 which were also reworks.
The third variant were issued K98’s with additional SS markings which is what this example is.
The fourth variant was the ‘Single Rune’ BNZ K98’s (often faked) & the final variant was the K98 sniper rifles.
Marked byf 1943 on the receiver, this fits into the 3rd variant as it sports all typical Nazi markings including the Reich Adler (winged nazi eagle) & other waffenamts along with SS2 over a Totenkopf alongside another ‘deaths head’. To add to this rifles rarity, the Waffenamt on the receiver has been overstamped with the sunburst of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) indicating this rifle was pressed into service with the East German military post war, probably explaining the late war stock (which is numbered to the rifle, likely by the East Germans).
This rifle has the floor plate missing but as it is not all matching, fitting an appropriate replacement floor plate is not a big deal which we will do when it when it arrives. According to the Backbone of the Wehrmacht, rifles in this 3rd category were usually associated with the SS guards in the concentration camps rather than frontline Waffen SS units & the noted American collector of K98’s, Robert Jensen (also an author) has written there are only 6 known to exist in private collections in the US.
This is your chance to add this highly collectable Kar98k to your collection!
Do your own research & you will know if this is for you. Please view the photos carefully as these are the only ones we have at this point & make your decision based on what you see as they form the main description & override all written information.
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 think we have described it accurately & in good faith but do not claim to be infallible so if we have got anything wrong, it is unintentional & are happy for feedback from people who know more than we do.
Whilst we check these out for serviceability, the warranty has expired & this is 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.
We have a pretty unique refund policy on our collectable guns whereby we will refund your money if it is not as described or in the condition as described when you receive it. Just let us know before you send it back.
Call for shipping cost to your dealer.
