German K98k Mauser Oberndorf S/42 8mm Mauser Bolt Action Rifle C&R 1936
SOLD FOR: $704
WOA#: WY240127MF002
Make: Mauser in Oberndorf am Neckar (S/42 was the pre-war factory code for Mauser Oberndorf am Neckar)
Model: K98k
Serial Number: 3409
Year of Manufacture: 1936
Caliber: 8mm Mauser (7.92x57mm)
Action Type: Bolt action, internal 5 round magazine.
Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked with a Weimar eagle, “3409”, “m”, and “Mod.98”. The top of the receiver is marked “S/42” and “1936”. The right side of the receiver is marked with three waffenamts. The left side of the barrel shank is marked with a Weimar eagle, “3409”, and “m”. The top of the barrel shank is marked “7,91”. The right side of the barrel below the rear sight is marked with two waffenamts. The top of the bolt handle is marked “8695 z”. The bolt body has “3409” electro-penciled on it. The safety is marked “4803”. The right side of the bolt sleeve has two waffenamts. The rear of the cocking piece is marked “e” and “266”. The top of the bolt stop is marked “20”. The right side of the barrel has a C.A.I. import mark. The front side of the front sight base is marked with a waffenamt and “K”. The magazine floor plate is marked with a waffenamt and “1273”. The trigger guard assembly is marked “a” and with “5902” crossed out. The bottom of the trigger guard has “3409” electro-penciled on it. The underside of the rear sight ladder is marked with two waffenamts and “63 69”. The left side of the front barrel band is marked “5009”. The left side is marked with a waffenamt. The left side of the buttstock is marked “3409”. The right side is marked with three faint waffenamts, one with an “H” below it. There are small waffenamts scattered throughout.
Barrel Length: 24”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade post dovetailed into a small barrel-mounted base. The rear sight is a v-notch sliding escalator assembly marked 1-20.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The wood stock has a semi-pistol grip, scallop for the bolt handle, barrel band with bayonet lug, hole for the included cleaning rod, barrel band with sling loop, through bolt, sling well, sling pass through, bolt disassembly disk, and a metal buttplate. The buttplate is lightly pitted. There are compression marks, scuffs, and scratches throughout the wood. The stock was refinished by an arsenal. There are areas of finish loss, mainly on the underside of the grip. There are spots of black paint on top of the forend, along the barrel. There is a long line of raised, dried finish at the rear of the receiver tang. There is a divot on the left side of the wrist. The LOP measures 13.1” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Good overall condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Black gun paint
Finish Originality: Original to arsenal refinish
Bore Condition: The bore is dark and the rifling is defined. There is moderate erosion in the bore.
In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 5 out of 10.
Many military and C&R eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide. For example, the U.S. used corrosive ammunition throughout WWII. The U.S. military did not begin to phase out corrosive-primed ammunition until the 1950s..
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 75% of its metal refinish. There are scuffs and scratches throughout the metal surfaces. The finish is thinning on the barrel shank. There is an impact mark on top of the barrel. There are impact marks along the outside edges of the trigger guard. The paint has been mostly stripped from the right side of the through bolt and the left side is rusted. The bolt and action show light operational wear. The extractor is a plum color. The screw heads show light use. The markings are mostly legible but many have been muddied because of the refinish. Overall, this rifle rates in about Good condition as arsenal refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with a leather sling.
Our Assessment: The K98k was the standard issue service rifle for the German military from its introduction in 1935 to the conclusion of the Second World War in 1945. Based on the previous Gewehr 98 and taking lessons learned from the Kar 98a, the K98k was chambered in the stout 7.92x57mm cartridge. The K98k would go on to have a long service life not only with Germany, but with many other countries in the form of military aid and via post-war refurbishment programs, such as with Norway and Israel.
This is an early example that was originally built by Mauser in Oberndorf am Neckar in 1936. This is a curious rifle, as it shows all the hallmarks of being a Russian capture; force-matched electro-penciled serial numbers, serial matched and refinished stock, and refinished metal. But, there is no distinctive “X” mark on the receiver. That could be for several reasons, but it is nearly impossible to say for certain. The stock has wear to it, with areas of finish loss at the bottom of the grip. The metal retains most of its new finish, but that has caused many of the markings to become muddied around their edges, especially the Weimar eagles. The bore is dark, but there is enough rifling left that it should be an adequate shooter. This rifle would fit into any German or Mauser collection. Please see our photos.
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