runner
Senior Member
I know this forum is for German weapons, so my apologies to Paul.
I recently purchased a 1937 dated Polish Wz98a barreled action from a forum member, (thanks Bruce) I picked it up at my FFL yesterday and did a very quick and dirty
"restoration" from stuff I had in my parts bin. As I get time to research this rifle I hope to do a more through and correct restoration.
The second rifle in the photos is a 1924 dated Polish W98. This rifle is correct and matching except for the cleaning rod. It is interesting to note that contrary to most countries
that progressed from long Infantry rifles to short rifles, the Poles went back. For those not familiar with the Polish rifles of this era. After being re-established as an independent country after WWl,
Poland was armed with a large variety of weapons from their former WWI allies and enemies. Having received the rifle making equipment from the former Danzig arsenal, they decided to standardize on the Mauser 98 design.
Their first rifles were copies (or even just remarked former German Gew.98s) one from John Walls collection just sold on Gunbroker. They eventually tooled up to make their own version, which they called the W98. My 1924 dated one is an example. Then going with the current trend they went to shorter rifles. First the k98, a copy of the German Kar98a, then a short rifle the K-29, later marked WZ-29, and to further confuse things, they updated some K98s to WZ-29 configuration and made a hybrid marked K98-29. Then for reasons to complicated for this post, they decided the infantry really did need a long rifle and introduced a new version of the W98, now designated WZ98a. Other than markings, the only significant difference is the lange sight replaced by the tangent sight.
Both versions of the long rifle had relatively short production runs, the W98 being soon replaced by the K-29, and Wz98a production being halted by the German invasion.
Other than the sights, some other subtle differences, the firing proofs moved from the left side of the receiver to the right, and this example of the Wz98a seems to have fewer inspection marks. Sidewall markings being another obvious difference.
I am currently trying to determine what parts of the WZ98a should be in the white, as I think the entire barreled assembly and bolt have been reblued, I do not know how these were finished at the factory as any I have seen first hand have been were used and/or modified post war. I am finding it very difficult to find any decent information on Polish weapons of this period, I have one book, but it is in Polish so it is of limited use to me. If anyone can suggest references or has photos of a period example I would love to see them.
I recently purchased a 1937 dated Polish Wz98a barreled action from a forum member, (thanks Bruce) I picked it up at my FFL yesterday and did a very quick and dirty
"restoration" from stuff I had in my parts bin. As I get time to research this rifle I hope to do a more through and correct restoration.
The second rifle in the photos is a 1924 dated Polish W98. This rifle is correct and matching except for the cleaning rod. It is interesting to note that contrary to most countries
that progressed from long Infantry rifles to short rifles, the Poles went back. For those not familiar with the Polish rifles of this era. After being re-established as an independent country after WWl,
Poland was armed with a large variety of weapons from their former WWI allies and enemies. Having received the rifle making equipment from the former Danzig arsenal, they decided to standardize on the Mauser 98 design.
Their first rifles were copies (or even just remarked former German Gew.98s) one from John Walls collection just sold on Gunbroker. They eventually tooled up to make their own version, which they called the W98. My 1924 dated one is an example. Then going with the current trend they went to shorter rifles. First the k98, a copy of the German Kar98a, then a short rifle the K-29, later marked WZ-29, and to further confuse things, they updated some K98s to WZ-29 configuration and made a hybrid marked K98-29. Then for reasons to complicated for this post, they decided the infantry really did need a long rifle and introduced a new version of the W98, now designated WZ98a. Other than markings, the only significant difference is the lange sight replaced by the tangent sight.
Both versions of the long rifle had relatively short production runs, the W98 being soon replaced by the K-29, and Wz98a production being halted by the German invasion.
Other than the sights, some other subtle differences, the firing proofs moved from the left side of the receiver to the right, and this example of the Wz98a seems to have fewer inspection marks. Sidewall markings being another obvious difference.
I am currently trying to determine what parts of the WZ98a should be in the white, as I think the entire barreled assembly and bolt have been reblued, I do not know how these were finished at the factory as any I have seen first hand have been were used and/or modified post war. I am finding it very difficult to find any decent information on Polish weapons of this period, I have one book, but it is in Polish so it is of limited use to me. If anyone can suggest references or has photos of a period example I would love to see them.
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