German K98k Mauser Oberndorf S/42G 8mm Mauser Bolt Action Rifle C&R 1935
SOLD FOR: $715
WOA#: WY240117CB058
Make: Mauser in Oberndorf am Neckar (S/42G was the 1935 factory code for Mauser Oberndorf am Neckar)
Model: K98k
Serial Number: 2053
Year of Manufacture: 1935
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, “2053”, “a”, and “Mod.98.” The top of the receiver is marked “S/42G”. The right side of the receiver is marked with two proof marks. The left side of the barrel shank is marked with an upside down “891” and a “T” under a star mark. The top of the barrel shank is marked with three small proofs, one of which is a circled Cyrillic ‘Tse’ letter. The right side of the barrel below the rear sight is marked with two small “K155” marks. The bolt body has “7412” electro-penciled on it. The underside is marked with an waffenamt. The safety is marked “8442”. The top of the bolt sleeve has “5825” electro-penciled on it and “1940” crossed out. The right side of the bolt sleeve is marked with two waffenamts. The extractor is marked “63”. The top of the bolt stop is marked with a waffenamt and “92”. The magazine floor plate is marked with a waffenamt and “3366”. The trigger guard assembly is marked with “81679” crossed out. The top of the rear sight base is marked with a waffenamt and “2578”. The left side of the front barrel band is marked “3327”. The right side is marked “1”. The left side of the rear barrel band is marked “3609”. The left side of the front sight base is marked “B”.
Barrel Length: 24”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade post dovetailed into a 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 bar, through bolt, sling well, sling pass through, bolt disassembly disk, and a metal buttplate. The buttplate is lightly pitted with larger areas of light oxidation. There are compression marks, scuffs, and scratches throughout the wood. The stock has been heavily refinished. There are areas where the new finish is raised and flaking off. There is a very small crack in the scallop for the bolt handle. 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: Blue
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is gray and the rifling is sharp. 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 70% of its metal refinish. There are scuffs and scratches throughout the metal surfaces. The bolt handle, trigger guard assembly, magazine floor plate, and bolt stop are pitted. The finish is thinning on the receiver. There is surface rust on the receiver bridge. There is dried residue on the receiver tang and the rear of the receiver. The interior rim of the bolt disassembly disk has a few impact marks and the inside has a layer of surface rust. The bolt and action show usage wear. 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 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 example originally built by Mauser in Oberndorf am Neckar in 1935, which was the first full year of production. There are a few curious marks on the barrel shank, one of which is a circled Cyrillic ‘Tse’ letter, which along with the electo-penciled and blued bolt, may point to the rifle having been a Russian or Yugoslavian capture. The stock has been heavily refinished, to the point where the wood is shiny and smooth, taking on an almost plastic feel. The metal retains most of its new finish, but that has caused many of the smaller markings to become muddied around their edges, especially the Weimar eagles. The bore is gray with moderate erosion, but there is enough rifling left that it should be an adequate shooter. The rifle comes with a leather sling. This would fit into any German or Mauser collection. Please see our photos.
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