SS Geew98 to K98 conversion

Here is a rifle I picked up at a gunshow a few years back.

Converted Gewehr 98 to K98 configuration based on a scrubbed DWM receiver (the edges of both Ds on the first line are visible). The barrel markings under the wood indicate conversion in July of 1939 (7 39). There are no military proofs on the rifle (the bolt, barrel & receiver are all crown-n proofed). There are two death's heads on the barrel indicate multiple overhauls.

The bolt is a turned down Gew98 bolt whose original sn appears to have been 07. The matching SN (6167) is die stamped over the original sn on the root only).

Couple of more shots...not the placement of the "35" inspection stamps in the places one would expect military proofs on the site leaf, etc.

There is also a starburst stamp on top of the wood just in front of the receiver.

Well, since you posted it I am assuming you want opinions? In my opinion, the barreled receiver is the only part that is positively 100% original and correct.

I am undecided about the stock. I have to wonder why the DH and serial number are sanded when the bolt cutout looks so crisp. Normally when someone sands a stock they do the whole thing, thus it leads me to believe that this may have been done to conceal the markings' details, knowing that a knowledgeable collector would spot them as incorrect. The stock does not have the finger grasps, but it could converted from a be a pre-1916 stock. The repair to the stock sling swivel looks good to me.

The bolt should have been fully re-numbered to match the serial number on the receiver, so those mis-matched pieces are absolutely not original to the rifle’s rework. The numbering on the bolt is rather deep. This is a hardened part of the rifle, and whoever stamped those numbers did not have any regard for the lifespan of his number dies. There should be commercial proofing on the underside of the bolt as well.

The font on the butt plate looks like American WWII era numbering and not German.

There was an infamous collector who recently passed away in PA who would "restore" such barreled actions and sell them as original.

Thank you for your opinion. I am quite sure that the stock has not been sanded, the imperial markings are still present (faintly) on the right side of the but below takedown disk. The death's head in the pistol grip is unevenly worn right to left from hands grasping the grip.

This rifle is well worn and the bolt does have a crown-n proof on the underside.

Here are a few pictures of the stock.

Are the barrel bands matching? The stock cutout looks consistant with other original examples I've seen, so that is good. Also, the Imperial markings look like they have been steamed out, which is also correct. I really don't like the butt plate though. There are two different sets of number stamps used, and this would not be in line with how we know these guns were reworked.

I guess it is good that the crown/N is under the bolt, but I am still unconvinced about the numbering. When these things got scrubbed, they really scrubbed them and removed all traces of the previous number (similar to how the reciever got scrubbed). The Germans bent the bolts without removing the heat temper of the steel, and your bolt looks like it was re-stamped with the metal soft, indicating the temper had been removed.

One way or the other, even a "restored" Gew98 rework is a rare bird and difficult to obtain! I'll let others chime in, but those are my thoughts.

Mauser, definetly value your perspective and your insights into the bolt bending process are great. I took a couple of wider shots of the buttplate. Defintely agree that the 61 on the buttplate was stamped after the suffix (67) with a different set of dies. There are also a couple of marking above the bottom screw that I am not familiar with..a large 4 with a capital H underneath (pictured).

Both bands are matching, I included a shot of that as well.

I'm not a big SS rifle guy, but it certainly looks right to me. I'd defer to Farb and Bruce on it, but it looks like it has all the indicia of correctness. The numbers look right for a reworked piece.

SS conversion

stock looks good IMO as well as the remainder. This is not a waffenwerke-PA job as the patina and
wear are consistent with the age of this rifle.

Waffen-werk PA?

Here is a decent example of a Steyr rework. (also not from PA)

SS conversion

Denny do you have the conversion date logged for this gun?

denny.......

bruce98k said:

Denny do you have the conversion date logged for this gun?

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Bruce, I thought I had taken a shot of it but can't find it. The barrel is marked 660 20 38 Bö for Böhler. Underside of barrel marked 11 39 39 and WaA625. Sling is dated 1940.

That's a nice one Denny!

SS Conversion

I don't understand the serial number, date code and bottom number on the bbl. code relationship? I used to own serial number 5368, with date code 11.39. The bottom number was 167. This one is 799 numbers higher, but date coded 7.39. The bnz one is 414 numbers higher and date coded 11.39 also. What is the bottom number? Bill

Here's a pic of one I just purchased from Empire Arms. I don't have it yet...it's in shipment. It's a Russian capture so I don't expect 100% correctness.
This is how it was advertised. Dennis Kroh at Empire isn't one to rip people off. I've bought other rifles from him and been 100% satisfied.


GERMAN Model 98k (reconfigured in June 1939 from scrubbed WWI Gewehr 98) bolt-action 8mm rifle # 7693 having SS DEATH-HEAD marking (seagull above) on left barrel-shank and commercial proofs on left side of the receiver. A rearsenaled Russian-capture in excellent condition with electropenciled parts and a laminated stock with cupped buttplate. Bore is excellent and mirror-bright. Authenticity of SS markings absolutely guaranteed.

from the photos it is real gew to kar98k conversion. As far as anything else its an R.C. with a major premium price. Not sure what gets for them and don't care. It is what it is..

mauser99 said:

from the photos it is real gew to kar98k conversion. As far as anything else its an R.C. with a major premium price. Not sure what gets for them and don't care. It is what it is..

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I'm happy with it and I think the price was reasonable. It will be a shooter anyway.

just curious...what does the seagull represent? I have seen them before.

not sure what you mean ? Some of them have what collectors call a lazy S over the skull.

mauser99 said:

not sure what you mean ? Some of them have what collectors call a lazy S over the skull.

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Looks more like a seagull. Or my eyes are going bad. Click on the pic I posted. You can see it above the skull. What does it represent?

What's with the star on the barrel?

denny gaither said:

Bruce, I thought I had taken a shot of it but can't find it. The barrel is marked 660 20 38 Bö for Böhler. Underside of barrel marked 11 39 39 and WaA625. Sling is dated 1940.

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I have a k98 that i recently found a skull on it also has a star on the barrel halfway down and // ~ markings were these ss proofings?