Batteriechef
Active member
Hello from Norway!
I'm a new member on the forum. I was referred here from another militaria collecting forum, where a member suggested that you might be the experts who could provide me with some
answers, information, or expert opinions on this mysterious K98k rifle.
RIFLE DETAILS
- Manufacturer: Mauser-Werke Oberndorf (byf)
- Production Year: 1942 (1941)
- Serial Number: 8225 (z block)
- Waffenamt: WaA 135
- Finish: Original dark blued finish
- Stock: Walnut (matching serial number)
- Buttplate: Cupped (gqm 41)
- Matching Numbers: Near 100%
- Other Notes: Possibly originally part of the Portuguese contract?
So, I recently picked up this beautiful 1942-dated German K98k made by Mauser Oberndorf (byf) for a steal (like $400). But when I took a closer look at it, I thought my mind was playing tricks on me...
I was certain I could see the Portuguese crest on the front receiver ring! And it turned out it wasn’t just my imagination. Under the right lighting and at a certain angle, the crest is clearly
visible—along with the date 1941. The front receiver ring has clearly been turned down, or the markings sanded off, but what's left is the “heat signature” etched deep into the metal from
when these markings were originally roll-stamped or engraved.
My personal opinion is that this rifle was originally part of the second Portuguese contract for 50,000 standard German military-configuration M/937B rifles placed in 1941. Some sources state
that a total of 60,000 were made, as 10,000 were requisitioned for German military use due to the worsening armament situation in Germany. It’s worth mentioning that those roughly 10,000
seized rifles have turned up basically everywhere Mausers went—Russian captures, Norwegian F1 conversions, and more. I actually used to own a 1941 Portuguese-contract Norwegian F1
conversion years ago, so I can personally attest to that.
This particular rifle has all the bells and whistles you’d expect from the contract rifles, especially since by 1942, many German-issued K98ks from byf began showing “lesser” quality or simplified
parts and finishes. It seems that beautiful hardwood stocks were favored for export, while laminated stocks were becoming more common for the Wehrmacht at that time.
What this rifle doesn’t have is the serial number format typical of Portuguese contract rifles, which usually had a letter prefix in front of the numbers. Nor does the stock feature the large
Portuguese crest or serial numbers. For whatever reason, this rifle didn’t make it into the final contract—it never received a Portuguese serial number but does feature the crest and export
factory markings on the receiver.
My best guess is that this receiver was a leftover from the contract production, de-marked, and then assembled in 1942 as a standard German-issue rifle. There are no signs of a Portuguese
serial number, which supports that theory. This seems like the most plausible explanation, especially since so many rifles from the 1941 order were requisitioned and issued to the Wehrmacht
with crests still intact. It makes little sense that only a few would be reworked before reissue. I think the 1942 production date is the biggest clue—it suggests the rifle was assembled after
the contracted deliveries had ended (late 1942?). It's hard to say how many rifles were rebuilt or assembled in this manner, or how many still show traces of their original markings. But I suspect not many...
This rifle was brought to Norway during the war and has remained here ever since. It was not imported post-war or acquired from a collector.
Would love to hear your thoughts and opinions on this!
Above: The Portuguese crest and production year is hardly visible on the front receiver ring from this angle.
Above: It features a German serial number with German letter code (z block) after the serial number, along with the typical Waffenamt and proof marks found on both
Portuguese contract rifles and standard German-issue rifles produced by byf.
Below - next 4 photos: Here, the crest and production year (1941) are clearly visible.
Below: From this angle, you can still make out some of the engraved leaf patterns from the crest, which at first glance appeared to be nothing more than surface scratches.
Below: Here, we can clearly see the removed Mauser Oberndorf export/commercial marking beneath the newer 'Mod 98' marking.
