This rifle showed up at a local auction of all places and was worth the drive out.
These conversions have always been of interest and this one and a 2nd rifle observed are unusual and different than most
observed Standard-Modell to K98k conversions. It is my belief that this group of rifles are factory issued Standard-Modells
in K98k configuration. The first rifle, SN. B 82714 has been previously documented. This rifle being SN. B 82977 is in the same narrow
serial number range of most of the converted Standard-Modells.
On discussion with Jon, we are assuming that some completed actions were in inventory from the late 1930s (1937-1938).
We believe that a limited run of half-completed rifles were finished off in late 1941-early 1942. We know that some of the rifles
released by Mauser retained the original stocks with the only modification being the bent bolt and dished stock relief. Given the
presence of those rifles, Mauser obviously found the easiest way to update these late Standard-Modells was a simple modification
keeping the original hardware and stock. These rifles are normally found with Heer acceptance(E/H and E/655), indicating issue to the German army.
These rifles are not military accepted, but were converted to full K98k configuration with new stocks, with new front and rear bands. The rear sight
ramp has also been changed and is serialized to the rifle. The stock and handguard bear serial 82377 which I am assuming is a factory numbering
error.
Last, it appears the GI that captured this was stopped in mid-cut between the bands. He must have realized that he could have cut it behind the rear
band, which this rifle has.
As usual, look forward to comments and discussion!
These conversions have always been of interest and this one and a 2nd rifle observed are unusual and different than most
observed Standard-Modell to K98k conversions. It is my belief that this group of rifles are factory issued Standard-Modells
in K98k configuration. The first rifle, SN. B 82714 has been previously documented. This rifle being SN. B 82977 is in the same narrow
serial number range of most of the converted Standard-Modells.
On discussion with Jon, we are assuming that some completed actions were in inventory from the late 1930s (1937-1938).
We believe that a limited run of half-completed rifles were finished off in late 1941-early 1942. We know that some of the rifles
released by Mauser retained the original stocks with the only modification being the bent bolt and dished stock relief. Given the
presence of those rifles, Mauser obviously found the easiest way to update these late Standard-Modells was a simple modification
keeping the original hardware and stock. These rifles are normally found with Heer acceptance(E/H and E/655), indicating issue to the German army.
These rifles are not military accepted, but were converted to full K98k configuration with new stocks, with new front and rear bands. The rear sight
ramp has also been changed and is serialized to the rifle. The stock and handguard bear serial 82377 which I am assuming is a factory numbering
error.
Last, it appears the GI that captured this was stopped in mid-cut between the bands. He must have realized that he could have cut it behind the rear
band, which this rifle has.
As usual, look forward to comments and discussion!
…. Nice rifle
……no badass rifle..
