"New" Simson Karab98b

Hi All,

It's always interesting how things work out. Years ago I purchased a "d" block Simson e/6 bolt on eBay hoping I could one day use it.

I was very happy to purchase this rifle from another forum member. It ended up being a perfect home for the bolt I'd been holding. (Actually reinforces my habit of hording parts) While it's been discussed previously, I wanted to share a few more detail pictures that might be of interest.

As noted previously, it's an "e" block Simson built with a spare receiver with the "Karab98b" siderail and no roll marks on the receiver ring. Bolt, buttplate and cleaning rod are mismatched, but everything else is matching or depot matched.

The Floorplate looks to be a depot-replaced Sauer and on the ball of the stock is a very faint apparent "Kg" depot stamp. I can't really capture it fully, but it's there. This is the first 98b I've seen with a Konigsburg marking.

The other pics speak for themselves, but really pleased with the rifle. This is my first Simson, but it goes pretty well with my S28 98bs.

More pics



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Awesome collection Chris! Glad to see you were able to get this rifle for your collection!

I am glad this has come together also, very nice that you had the right bolt (finish, time frame) to make it right.

The rifle is pretty nice that you discovered the E/Kg at the wrist, the earlier pictures I didn't see the marking, but the eagle is clear in your picture (though some glare blots out finer detail..); as you know there were three official ordnance depots for the three primary commands during the Republican era, Cassel (later Kassel), Berlin-Spandau and Königsberg due to its isolation from central Germany (it was really a separate command in every meaningful way, it had a lot of autonomy and there fewer political struggles here, pro-Republican paramilitary and far right paramilitary collaborated for the defense of this "outpost", something that didn't occur so smoothly in the rest of Germany... Seeckt's replacement was the former commander of this command and typically the General that held this command was headed for greater responsibility).

I am glad to get the BC, didn't get this the prior occasion, I still have to trend this rifle though I see little that seems noteworthy, - can you identify the wrist acceptance, is it e/33, e/43 or e/46? Looks almost like e/33, but i would like to record it accurately. Actually if you can confirm all the stock acceptance, I see E/43 under the E/H but the rest I would be guessing and that I do often enough... that I have a reliable interpreter i think I should take advantage of the opportunity!

Thanks Paul, not the first time I've bought a rifle to go with a bolt and I doubt it'll be my last!

Acceptance on the right side are e/43 and a very small what appears to be e/33 any idea what the "F" at 7:00 on the stock disc denotes?

The wrist is e/33 and the small stamp is illegible.

As might be expected, the stamps on the underside didn't fare as well as the side. It's a shame. I can see the Kg depot mark, but it simply eludes photography. Very faint.





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Thanks for the extra effort, - starting with a worthy bolt and finding the appropriate rifle is not a bad methodology, especially with the more elusive makers or variation like the 98b... I mean really, finding a c-f 98b that needs a quality bolt is not unusual... More often than not bolt mismatchers are to be expected in the vast majority of discoveries, most that have a fully factory-matcher won't part with it!

No idea on the "F", though not factory, probably related to Königsberg or a subsequent repair, possibly the armorers initial? (any work or alteration noticeable on the TD?) That seems the most likely scenario, most ordnance work is identified to facility and the armorer, or possibly shop in the NS period. Being the only known work is Königsberg and they are remote and rarely seen even in the WW2 era means that they are more likely to retained a more "primitive" or unique pattern of work acceptance. I think they are the ones behind the Lithuanian reworks also, so they seem to have taken their relative isolation to advantage (though I am sure in proper German fashion, regulations, orders and all... meaning I am sure everything they were involved in came from higher authority, just that their isolation gave them a little latitude)

chrisftk said:

Thanks Paul, not the first time I've bought a rifle to go with a bolt and I doubt it'll be my last!

Acceptance on the right side are e/43 and a very small what appears to be e/33 any idea what the "F" at 7:00 on the stock disc denotes?




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Click to expand...

There isn't any work on the TD that I can see. It is completely devoid of any markings, so could be a replacement.

It's the first Konigsburg I've come across. I've always been interested in the city. Going from the heart of the Teutonic order to a heavily occupied Russian non-contiguous oblast is a pretty drastic turnaround, but makes sense given the post WWII desire to destroy the old Prussian order root and stem. Regardless of the German NS era sins, the destruction of the east Prussian culture and the unique dialects and communities therein is tragic.

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I don't know whether I have seen a TD with a e/6 before (on a 98b), I haven't trended an example, but most people don't take pictures of unmarked metal...