Russian Capture German K98k Mauser 8mm Mauser Bolt Action Rifle C&R 1939
SOLD FOR: $860
WOA#: WY231113SM005
Make: Mauser-Werke AG, Oberndorf on the Neckar, Post-war Russian refurbishment
Model: K98k
Serial Number: 2118
Year of Manufacture: 1939
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, “2118”, “f”, and “Mod. 98”. The top of the receiver is marked “42”, “X”, and “1939”. The right side of the receiver is marked with three waffenamts. The left side of the barrel shank is marked with a reichsadler and “2118”. The top of the barrel shank is marked “7,91”. The right front side of the barrel shank, below the rear sight, is marked with three waffenamts. The bolt body, sleeve, and safety are all marked “2118” in electro-pencil. The bolt sleeve and underside of the bolt handle are marked with waffenamts. The underside of the rear sight is marked “3445” crossed out, “2118” in electro-pencil, and with multiple waffenamts. The top of the rear sight base is marked with a waffenamt. The top of the bolt stop is marked “97”. The bottom of the magazine floor plate and trigger guard assembly are marked with “2118” in electro-pencil. The left side of the buttstock is marked “2118”. The buttplate is marked with a faint waffenamt. The left side of the rear barrel band is marked “11 28”. The left side of the front barrel band is marked “5574” crossed out. The right side is marked with a waffenamt. The right side of the barrel is marked with a C.A.I. 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. There is a small crack in the wrist coming off of the rear of the receiver tang. There are multiple areas of loss of the shellacked finish throughout. There is heavy wear to the finish along 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 95% of its metal finish as refinished. There are light scuffs and scratches throughout the metal surfaces. There is wear to the finish at the rear of the trigger guard and on the top of the barrel exterior. There is light pitting underneath the new finish on both sides of the rear sight base. The screw heads show light 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 top of the receiver. 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 mostly good shape, with superficial wear to its finish, but there is a small crack at the wrist. This rifle retains a lot of its original German markings, with many ‘spooky pinwheels’ still being present. This is rather uncommon for Russian captured rifles. These markings are blurry though, due to the new finish the Russians put on the metal. 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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