Russian Capture German K98k bcd 43 8mm Mauser Bolt Action Rifle C&R
SOLD FOR: $755
WOA#: WY231109DS002
Make: Gustloff-Werke Weimar, Russian refurbishment
Model: K98k
Serial Number: 2451VX
Year of Manufacture: 1943
Caliber: 8mm Mauser (7.92x57mm)
Action Type: Bolt action, internal 5 round magazine
Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked with a reichsadler, “2451VX”, and “Mod. 98”. The top of the receiver is marked with a waffenamt, and “bcd 43”. The left side of the barrel shank is marked with a reichsadler, “YS”, and with a waffenamt. The underside of the rear sight is marked “562”, “2451”, “98 87”, and with multiple waffenamts. The top of the rear sight base is marked “7516” and with a waffenamt. The top of the bolt stop is marked “14” and with a waffenamt. The top of the bolt is marked “2451”. The top of the bolt handle is marked “9463 dd”. The top of the bolt sleeve is marked “7870” and “2451”. The right side of the bolt sleeve is marked with two faint waffenamts. The cocking piece is marked “2676”. The safety is marked “4953”. The bottom of the magazine floor plate is marked with a crossed out “488” and “2451”. The trigger guard assembly is marked with two crossed out numbers, “2888” and “1227”. The front action screw is marked “85”. The bottom of the trigger guard is marked “2451”. The left side of the buttstock is marked “2451”. The buttplate is marked “brg 41” and with a waffenamt. The left side of the rear barrel band is marked “23 84”. The right side is marked “K167”. The left side of the front barrel band is marked “2323”. The right side is marked with a waffenamt. The right side of the barrel is marked with an import mark.
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 missing cleaning rod, barrel band with sling loop, through bolt, sling well, sling pass through, bolt disassembly disk, and a metal buttplate. The stock was forcematched by the Russians. The buttplate has been refinished and there is wear along the edges. There are compression marks, scuffs, and scratches throughout the wood. The finish is heavily worn along the sides of the wood under the receiver. The LOP measures 13” 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: Parkerized, blue, & black paint
Finish Originality: Original to Russian refurbishment
Bore Condition: The bore is dark and the rifling is defined. There is heavy erosion in the bore.
In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 2 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 finish as refinished. There are light scuffs and scratches throughout the metal surfaces. There is thinning to the finish on the front barrel band and receiver. The finish is worn along the edges of the magazine floor plate and action assembly, as well as on the bottom of the trigger guard. There are also impact marks along the edges of the trigger guard. There are areas of pitting on the rear barrel band. The screw heads show moderate use. The markings are well defined. 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: None
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 example was captured by the Russians during the war or upon its conclusion, which is evidenced by the electro-penciled serial number, force-matched stock, refinished and shellacked stock, and the “X” added to the end of the serial number. The Russians refurbished the K98ks that they had in their inventory and eventually surplused them out. When refurbishing the rifles, the Russians did not pay much attention to serial numbers or stocks, which explains why this one was force-matched. The stock is in good shape, with only superficial wear to its finish. Oddly enough, this rifle retains nearly all of its original German markings, with many ‘spooky pinwheels’ still being present.This is rather uncommon for Russian captured rifles. The bore is very poor with a lot of corrosion, but there is still rifling left so it might be salvageable if you put enough work into cleaning it. This would fit in well to any Mauser, German, or even Russian collection. Please see our photos.
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