Would love to know the history of this particular k98 rifle
- Thread starter Oryx
- Start date
jack944
Senior Member
A rifle that was made or converted from a WW2 rifle for the Israeli army. They were converted to 7.62
Muncher 1953
Senior Member
the leftmost mark is a Czech (perhaps Czechoslovak) lion proof that’s been partially oblitered, the 4 digit serial number & underneath is the ‘block letter’ in this case “B”. the 2 circular marks and the 2 star marks are Israeli markings, but I don’t know their meaning. on top of the receiver, those large digits peeking out from under the scope base say “7.62” & the stock would have had a similar mark, telling the new caliber. This was something the Israelis were big on, because they used the rifles in both calibers for a bit, AND most in service were citizen soldiers & reservists vs career infantry.
more photos will help us tell you a lot, shrink them down to about 1mb each to upload here.
post war, the arms factories in Czechoslovakia had been freed from German control had lots of surplus parts & needed customers for their K98ks. The proto-nation of Israel was a major customer, though sometimes through arcane routes, to conceal the source. Depending on what’s under the front scope base, or other marks that may be present on the right side of the receiver, will tell some more history. It could be rifle assembled post war from ‘German parts’, or could have been part of an actual contract for Israel, marks or lack of them will tell. The conversions were done because the barrels needed routine replacement, & Uncle Sam was generous with ammunition in supporting friendlies.
more photos will help us tell you a lot, shrink them down to about 1mb each to upload here.
post war, the arms factories in Czechoslovakia had been freed from German control had lots of surplus parts & needed customers for their K98ks. The proto-nation of Israel was a major customer, though sometimes through arcane routes, to conceal the source. Depending on what’s under the front scope base, or other marks that may be present on the right side of the receiver, will tell some more history. It could be rifle assembled post war from ‘German parts’, or could have been part of an actual contract for Israel, marks or lack of them will tell. The conversions were done because the barrels needed routine replacement, & Uncle Sam was generous with ammunition in supporting friendlies.
Thank you so much for this thorough answer.
Herewith the only marking on the RHS of the receiver
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Further - here are markings on the bolt shroud
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Muncher 1953
Senior Member
certainly has German approved bolt parts. As info, the recoil lug is in the stock backwards, the head should be on the left, the nut on the right. Wait til you get the proper pin wrench before turning it around, easy to mess up the pin holes.
I don’t recognize the mark on the right side, but it’s not typical German.
Thank you for your very kind help. Here is a picture of the rifle.
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There is something odd about the short barrel band spring. It looks like the previous owner removed the metal from an Israeli stock and applied it to a finger grooved stock originally inletted for a full length band spring. The stock is also missing the bolt takedown disc… very odd combination of elements. What holds the nose cap on since the short spring only locks the lower barrel band? Full length band spring locks both bands.
Muncher 1953
Senior Member
I think it’s a surplus Israeli stock & someone cut the groove for a full length band spring, & the 1/2 length one is still in place. Israeli stocks were solid beech, had finger grooves, and the upper band was pinned straight through below the bayonet lug, not held by a screw or the front of the band spring. (I have 2 of them, neither marked “7.62”, they are unused replacement stocks from ebay.)The butt plate has a takedown hole (correct for Israeli stocks) someone decided to fasten the sling with a screw in the tab well, pretty commonly seen on post war used stocks.
Looks like it was black oxided & the bolt handle reshaped for scope clearance.
Muncher 1953
Senior Member
Sorry I didn't mean that it is pinned now, just that that’s how it would/should be. The German style spring is missing. I’ve no doubt of what it is (Israeli stock) sorry if it isn't clear to you.
What was pointed out to me is that the bolt takedown disc is in the wrong way around
So I'm blown away by the precision outcomes that I've been able to get out of this rifle.
I loaded 150gr Hornady Interlocks using Hodgdon Varget propellant and it shoots a 1" four shot grouping with three of the four shots being 0.4MOA - the flyer being attributed to the horrific stock-standard trigger.
I measured the twist to be 1:13" and it offers its best result at a COAL of 71.5mm (0.3mm jump) using 46.5gr of Hodgdon Varget - offering a muzzle velocity of 2850fps at a timid 54 000psi.
See picture.
I loaded 150gr Hornady Interlocks using Hodgdon Varget propellant and it shoots a 1" four shot grouping with three of the four shots being 0.4MOA - the flyer being attributed to the horrific stock-standard trigger.
I measured the twist to be 1:13" and it offers its best result at a COAL of 71.5mm (0.3mm jump) using 46.5gr of Hodgdon Varget - offering a muzzle velocity of 2850fps at a timid 54 000psi.
See picture.
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That would be the recoil lug being in backwards. Not a big deal. This stock doesn't have a takedown disc, only a hole in the lower edge of the buttplate to act as the same thing. Also possible the stock was from an FN rifle, as they were pretty close to same pattern as the Israeli made type. The upper band details are not shown if it was pinned or not (hole on the opposite side). Might have been replaced.What was pointed out to me is that the bolt takedown disc is in the wrong way around
Muncher 1953
Senior Member
Hmmm I guess I haven’t looked at enough FN stocks. Did they make K98k spec rifles for anyone beside the Germans? IIRC, both my stocks were sold as Israeli surplus leftovers, but that might not be true. They were just random sellers, not gun shops. I don’t believe there are any marks on either.
Muncher 1953
Senior Member
I should be doing chores, but @Stan ’s suggestion & @WallyG. ‘s doubts made me go back & look at the 2 stocks I have that are similar to the one pictured above. Both are devoid of metal parts and neither has a takedown hole for the butt plate with the hole. Neither is drilled for cleaning rod or the bayo lug pin (likely drilled after fitting?) #1 has a groove for the band spring cut by hand, perhaps dremel. #2 has a machine cut slot for the shorter, pin style band spring for the sling band, nothing above.
Each has an Arabic numeral stamped into the bayo lug end (1 & 3) and a capital Roman letter on the flat behind the recoil lug (G & P) The lack of Hebrew characters makes me wonder if they aren’t Israeli……..but FN! Solid beech with finger grooves, standard K98k barrel & action lengths.
Each has an Arabic numeral stamped into the bayo lug end (1 & 3) and a capital Roman letter on the flat behind the recoil lug (G & P) The lack of Hebrew characters makes me wonder if they aren’t Israeli……..but FN! Solid beech with finger grooves, standard K98k barrel & action lengths.