Very Strange Gew98 Rework

[Bigdibbs88]

Very Strange Gew98-k98k Rework

Been meaning to post this one for a while. My friend got this from a vet at a hotel buy in the 80's. It took me a while to get comfortable with its originality, its so atypical and basically brand new. I'm still unsure as to who did it, when, or why. A few points:

• Every single part on this rifle is from the original gew98 except the bandspring/lower band and rear sight assembly/sleeve

• Even the handguard is the shortened gew98 handguard

• No commercial proofing

• The stock disc, lower band, and some rear sight parts are e/280 marked. By the style of marking this must be at least 1939?

• Note the circle S on bottom receiver flat.

• 6 marking on left receiver below woodline and 6 marked in stock channel

• Stock was heavily period sanded (note sharpness of external stock serial). But they left the original finish in the grasping grooves and along the top of the stock.

Hoping this one sparks some thoughts/theories

 

[Bigdibbs88]

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[Bigdibbs88]

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[Bigdibbs88]

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[Bigdibbs88]

last photos...............

 

[moconfed]

Unbelievable condition, first and foremost. The e4 sight base stands out to me, in regards to the rework, and the profile of the bolt recess is unique- can't say I've seen another like it. Any way to place a date as to when it was refitted?

 

[RyanE]

Police conversion maybe? That wood work looks quite sloppy for an Army or even SS depot.

Also, would this technically be a restored sporter since the rear sight parts don't match?

 

[bnz41john]

My initial thoughts were that the stock had to have been sanded post war. But after looking the photos over several times and noting the sharpness of the markings, the lack of sanding the finger groove, I think you are correct. I also agree with moconfed about the bolt knob cutout. Its unusual. Though I guess that could be said for the whole rifle. That thing is neat!

John.

 

[flynaked]

They’re hand chiseled Eric, same with part of the sling cutouts on these conversions, a really cool detail that is repetitious when you start studying them. They obviously didn’t have the tooling for all the same type of factory cuts we’re used to seeing, obviously the “box” of the sling cuts were routed or milled however.

One question though, don’t these Mitchell’s usually have their bolts in the white?

 

[Dave Roberts]

The stock and hand guard numbers inside and out also the blued butt plate and numbering on butt plate says to me its an SS Rifle . Compare those stock number fonts to an SSZZA4 Rifle and the bolt cutout is reminiscent of the SSZZA4 rifles . Forgot to mention the blued cross bolt .

 

[bruce98k]

Gew98 Conversion

Clay, good point. Some of the Standard-Modell to K98k conversions also have a very crude sling well cutout, obviously hand done.
Again, possible police link as well.

B.

 

[mrfarb]

Very odd rifle. I do agree any of the work could be done today, but I see some things that would be difficult to copy. That’s the whole problem with reworks, no guarantees so you just have to feel comfortable and have other affirmations. I like it, like Bruce says maybe police.


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[mauser99]

I once owned a flat new re-worked 98az done by or for the police.. Stock was new all the rest of the rifle super dark re-blue like this.. Only thing this rifle is lacking is the police property mark..I really think if it was police issued it would be marked as such.. They typically always marked their weapons..


There are some re-works that defy reason the the amount of work put into them... This is one. I like it though

 

[Bigdibbs88]

Also, would this technically be a restored sporter since the rear sight parts don't match?

lol. Yes, oh definitely. all i can say is thank god theres no waffenfett around the action.

My initial thoughts were that the stock had to have been sanded post war. But after looking the photos over several times and noting the sharpness of the markings, the lack of sanding the finger groove, I think you are correct.

Thanks John. when i first saw the stock I had to shield my eyes as well. I almost didnt even get far enough to look at the serial.

Sorry guys,
I just can't look at any of these parts as if they've been touched by the hands of time. I'm sorry but I don't see anything here that can't be reproduced. I'd be so very happy to be proven wrong.

There are a couple things, one of them being the external stock number, that i dont think you could reproduce. There are also several things on the rifle that make me think why? Why would a faker do that? Also, if you had a matching gew98 why do this at all? That and I know the provenance on it (which I suppose means nothing to the next guy).

Police I think could be an option... but why? They were being supplied by the SS at this point no? Like Wayne I would expect a prop mark but could just as easily have missed it i guess. My thought was possibly just a late conversion for Volkssturm or some kind of local unit?

 

[mrfarb]

I’ve never seen a Police attributed K98k rifle with a property marking. Let me rephrase, a legitimate one. I have a friend who collects police everything and he’s never seen one. He has hundreds of police pistols, bayonets, etc. police attributed vz24 reworks don’t. The SS style numbering without the SS depot attributes is what makes me think police. The main police depot was Sachsenhausen camp, where the main SS depot was.


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[Bigdibbs88]

I agree, I’ve never seen one either. I guess I was thinking more along the lines of their trainers or unit marked 98a’s (though I suppose those are probably pre wwii). Could definitely just as easily be police as some other local unit.

Any idea on the circle s on receiver flat? Looks just like the ones observed on Lugers. I can’t remember if this is attributed to simson rework or?

 

[ugafx4]

Any idea on the circle s on receiver flat? Looks just like the ones observed on Lugers. I can’t remember if this is attributed to simson rework or?

You may be on to something with the "circle s". Problem is, research is going to send you down the luger theory rabbit hole. I spent 5 minutes looking into it (online and in my vast library of Luger lore) and see two different theories immediately. 1. post 1925 Simson rework and 2. Most likely a Police property marking having nothing to do with Simson. The good thing is, both theories have a police link.

 

[Warrior1354]

That might be for an unfinished receiver by Spandau sent to Amberg but I highly doubt that. The bavarians were pretty tight with their receiver manufacturing and control process. But even so there are very few 1918 Amberg rifles to go by to verify that. Plus not many folks have taken the time to break the rifles down for good photographs to compare receivers too.

But it does make sense that a 1918 rifle was converted anyway though. These were the primary rifles left in the depots anyway. They were the first ones that were either updated during the Weimer period. Plus stolen in this time period during the insurrection in Germany. And the first ones destroyed after the armistice.

But what's interesting about this one it's a true conversion. The stock was modified, original barrel kept, and the original Amberg proof bolt bent.

I'll have to go see my records on Gew98 receiver markings. I've been documenting these for about five years for the book project. Be also interesting to see what Paul says as well.

 

[Bigdibbs88]

You may be on to something with the "circle s". Problem is, research is going to send you down the luger theory rabbit hole. I spent 5 minutes looking into it (online and in my vast library of Luger lore) and see two different theories immediately. 1. post 1925 Simson rework and 2. Most likely a Police property marking having nothing to do with Simson. The good thing is, both theories have a police link.

I thought the exact same thing about the mile wide and inch deep luger theories. Didnt want to slide down that slope so figured I’d ask here. I just knew they’re present on Lugers and oddly enough seem to be about the same size as this marking.

 

[flynaked]

The specific numbering Dave points out kills the commercial theory IMO as well as the use of army inspected parts. Commercial builds go to great lengths, both grinding and preening to obliterate these markings when they are used from salvaged weapons. It is an odd rifle and while it defies the odds, well stored freaks of nature do exist, some much older than this too.

The fact that it is built out of a 1918 Amberg that was actually completed as opposed to a left over spare receiver could provide some kind of clue. I love all the subtle clues to read on this one.