S/147 Sauer K98K Converted to .308 with no identifiable conversion marks

[The Mil-Surplus Collector]

First time post from me and this rifle is giving me a headache.

I have acquired a 1937 S/147 code K98K...That's been converted to 7.62/.308. At first I thought it was a Israeli conversion but their are no Israeli marks on the rifle anywhere. The second issue I'm having is the barrel serial number matches the receiver number and all the other parts on the rifle. So was this a post war conversion done by JP Sauer themselves or is this some elaborate bubba job?

 

[WallyG.]

Original bore 7.92... supposed conversion bore 7.62... bored out and relined and a new chamber cut?

 

[The Mil-Surplus Collector]

Original bore 7.92... supposed conversion bore 7.62... bored out and relined and a new chamber cut?

I took the rifle to a trusted gunsmith before I went into work today and he tore into it. He just called me half an hour ago and confirmed your theory. Someone a long time ago sleeved the barrel and cut a .308 chamber. By what the smith said, whoever did it did a very good job on the conversion.

Only thing that upsets me is I have 3 .50 cal cans full of 8mm Mauser I wanted to shoot. Oh well, I guess I go back on the hunt for an 8mm.

 

[Muncher 1953]

well, it IS sorta marked, if you look closely @ pic 2, on the barrel shoulder above ‘S/147’ it would normally be marked ‘7.91’, ‘7.92’ etc. if you look closely, it’s been over stamped ‘7.62’. not well marked for a conversion, but as much as the original rifle.

 

[WallyG.]

I had two of these 7.62 NATO guns created... but I started with orphaned Russian capture receivers (from parted out rifles back in the day) and mated them with NOS Norwegian 7.62 X 51 barrels. Similar process to what the Israelis did with many of their guns - rebarreled them. Does your mag well have a spacer to shorten the box cavity for the shorter rounds? Again, I used Israeli converted trigger guards that had the spacer added already. No Mauser parts injured in the process (well at least by me).

 

[The Mil-Surplus Collector]

well, it IS sorta marked, if you look closely @ pic 2, on the barrel shoulder above ‘S/147’ it would normally be marked ‘7.91’, ‘7.92’ etc. if you look closely, it’s been over stamped ‘7.62’. not well marked for a conversion, but as much as the original rifle.

Yeah, it's poorly marked. I'm thinking about getting my smith to stamp a larger 7.62 on the receiver so people don't try and ram an 8mm into it.

 

[The Mil-Surplus Collector]

I had two of these 7.62 NATO guns created... but I started with orphaned Russian capture receivers (from parted out rifles back in the day) and mated them with NOS Norwegian 7.62 X 51 barrels. Similar process to what the Israelis did with many of their guns - rebarreled them. Does your mag well have a spacer to shorten the box cavity for the shorter rounds? Again, I used Israeli converted trigger guards that had the spacer added already. No Mauser parts injured in the process (well at least by me).

Mine does not. I can still load 8mm into the rifle without any issues.

 

[Muncher 1953]

When you came by the rifle, was it represented as original caliber? If not, you have a good reason to return it, if it wasn’t too long ago. Otherwise, as long as you own it & have control of it, a tag on the trigger guard or bolt handle should keep it safe. Or a snap cap (dummy practice round) marked w/sharpie & left in chamber. From the limited pix, its a nice looking example, IMO it would be a shame to mark it, but its yours to do with as you wish.

 

[The Mil-Surplus Collector]

When you came by the rifle, was it represented as original caliber? If not, you have a good reason to return it, if it wasn’t too long ago. Otherwise, as long as you own it & have control of it, a tag on the trigger guard or bolt handle should keep it safe. Or a snap cap (dummy practice round) marked w/sharpie & left in chamber. From the limited pix, its a nice looking example, IMO it would be a shame to mark it, but its yours to do with as you wish.

When the rifle was sold to me, I was informed that it was rechambered for .308/7.62. Here's a better photo of the rifle.

The snap cap idea seems smart to me. I'll have to get one.