Gew98 rework single deaths head

A buddy of mine picked up this rifle locally in the early 80's. It was covered with enough light rust, dirt & dust so that you couldn't see the markings on the barrel. It wasn't until he got it home and cleaned it up, that he realized what he had bought. In his eyes it was $$$$, in my eyes, I had to own it.

The bayonet lug, follower & bolt stop do not match. The original numbers in the stock channel are X'd out and the new number is to left of the original number. It is hard to make out and even harder to photograph. It is interesting to see that the stock has been relieved to accommodate a short side rail mount.

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I love it. What a great find, It is odd to me however that it lacks the typical external numbers on the keel of the stock and deaths head on the grip.
I'd love to see better pics of the numbers in the barrel channel I've never seen the stock on a rework of any kind with the internal numbers struck out. Not saying it couldn't happen.
None of these are identical. Thanks for sharing it. It'll be interesting to see what the real experts say. These are never boring!

A super interesting as well as beautiful example. Looks legit to me, but I’m no expert.


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Very interesting piece, but I'll leave the 98k guys to point out details that I was not even aware of (looking forward to those, btw).

Re the stock - the darker stained areas makes me believe the stock once was cleaned. Behind the bottom wooden plug it also has some darker areas that would be where originally a serial would be. I think that is why it lacks the Deaths Head in the pistol grip area, as well as on the outside area.

The SSR cutout is odd. It was either fully cut off (as typical for SS sniper rifles), or stock inletted to accomodate base (typical for Sauer). This is a combination of both what doesn't really make any sense at all.

I think that stock is an original SS stock, but originally from another rifle and someone just reunited the two (post WWII) to restore it with original parts. The stock could either be an original SS SSR stock that someone for whatever reason additionally inletted for an oversized base, or once inletted for the base and at a later point cut off. I do not think it was originally inletted in WWII because that so far we only had seen with Standard Modell rifles what this isn't, plus so far no picture support of such a combination in the field, but so far these are assumptions based on observations where I'm looking to get feedback from other collectors.

Edit: you should find someone with an original German WWII SSR scope base and hold it against the receiver and see if the additional inletting was required.

The SS Conversion Rifles are some of the most interesting for sure. It lacks some of the classic markings that most have, but really no two are the same. I have had three and each was different in some way. This might be a case where you'll never be 100% what happened. Thanks for sharing.

Here’s the cutout on mine.

Hercules said:

The SS Conversion Rifles are some of the most interesting for sure. It lacks some of the classic markings that most have, but really no two are the same. I have had three and each was different in some way. This might be a case where you'll never be 100% what happened. Thanks for sharing.

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I'll be honest Brian I wish I bought your SS conversion before you sold it buddy! Three years of studying them makes you want one for your collection.

I can see no evidence of scrubbing on the receiver top, even under magnification but I do see evidence under the current serial number/block. Wonder what the experts might think? Looks like the barrel is commercially proofed 10/39 so it couldn't have been assembled before that date, correct?

I agree with Absolut that the stock is a probably an original conversion but from another gun, although it's not rocket science to convert a Gewehr stock to 98k configuration. Strangely though the handguard appears to have the correct font.
Also the bolt should be crown N marked. It may just be a weak strike.

Yeah these conversions are up at the top for me but I doubt I'll ever own one unless some dumb luck is at play!

Warrior1354 said:

I'll be honest Brian I wish I bought your SS conversion before you sold it buddy! Three years of studying them makes you want one for your collection.

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I wished you had to. I literally couldn’t find any interest in it. It was a rare gun.

Peter S said:

in my eyes, I had to own it.

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I believe that I'd have to own that too, Peter.

Richie

I agree the stock is from a different rifle IMO, but an original conversion stock. I’m not positive it is from an SS conversion, I think probably army. I don’t study these close but it’s interesting they almost all appear to have been proofed in Z-M, I wonder if any went through Suhl?

Hercules said:

I wished you had to. I literally couldn’t find any interest in it. It was a rare gun.

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Yeah funds were short that month after buying two K98k rifles when you sold it! Either way it was a nice rifle.

By the way you attending the March OGCA show Brian?

forgot to include this image in the previous set.....the only other marking underneath.

Perhaps Slowburn from the great white north would like to chime in on this one.

Neat rifle and right as rain IMO though not following the “standard” if there is one. I agree the stock is off another rifle, ss or not is the question. Not that it matters either way. Will post a pic of my SS SSR cutout tonight

Warrior1354 said:

Yeah funds were short that month after buying two K98k rifles when you sold it! Either way it was a nice rifle.

By the way you attending the March OGCA show Brian?

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Yes. Planning on having a table.