1944 commercial resto

I wanted to post some photos of a 1944 commercial 98k that I recently (finally) finished finding parts for. It's a 1944 A.Seeber commercial. I used examples previously posted on the net to search out specific parts for this resto, namely bands and stock. The ones I have found seem to have mixed unnumbered components, so I looked for the most typically seen items for the bands and stock. When I bought this one on Gunbroker the stock was junk, but the bolt/triggerguard assy were original. I found a good E/359 armorers stock and a set of bands (the rear band I found is actually from a commercial rifle- it has the milling error in the ring as shown in pics). Check out the original rear sight leaf- it's missing the top few numbers in the scale, most likley a factory reject part. Many of the parts on these are armorers parts or rejects. Anyway, one of the best resto's I've been able to finish off. I like to post them to document for future generations.

It's a nice one mrfarb! How many of these were built? Approximately.

Very nicely done Mike, any barrel codes under the stock line? Any idea on where the receiver was produced? One of these days I've got to post some photos... I have come to really like the commercial's as they are such a puzzle. Great job!

I'll have to pull it apart to get the barrel code, but you can see they stamped a U over the exposed waffenamt on the barrel. As to numbers made, it had to be small- I have another one dated 8 44 that is #1555, so that might give an indication of production. The big issue is I think each maker had his own serial number scheme, and included sporter rifles as well. This maker, A. Seeber, has plenty of hunting type rifles made during the war, and the serial numbers seem like they may be linear.

Thanks Mike, mine are struck with the "U" reject markings in many areas. I was wondering if there was any way to trace back the receiver to a source to kind of connect the dots on where the major components like the barrel receiver and bolt were sourced from??

So with the commercial rifles from A.Seeber, you could order it with a sporter type hunting stock or a military style stock? Nice looking rifle.

Winchester Cowboy said:

So with the commercial rifles from A.Seeber, you could order it with a sporter type hunting stock or a military style stock? Nice looking rifle.

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Not really. Earlier rifles from this maker (I have pics of a 40) are sporter rifles. This maker was building K98k style rifles at the end of 44, with all the other gunmakers in the area. These gunsmiths were plentiful in Suhl and Zella-Mehlis, I think they were pressed into making K98k rifles for home defense contract? Just a guess as you see a spike in them at the end of 44 and into 45. Pics of the 44 dated one attached for comparison, and photos of a 1940 sporter from an auction a few years back.

gergnotwen said:

Thanks Mike, mine are struck with the "U" reject markings in many areas. I was wondering if there was any way to trace back the receiver to a source to kind of connect the dots on we're the major components like the barrel receiver and bolt were sourced from??

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Not sure if there is, I have seen some reclaimed receivers and other new receivers. I suspect Walther could have supplied them to local builders, they made them for JP Sauer. They supplied the sight parts on the few I have seen, at least the Suhl / Zella-Mehlis built rifles.

This one was built in 43.

that turned out really nice!!!




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