krukster86
Well-known member
Snagged another one, thanks to a delightful in person meetup with another forum member here.
Interestingly, the conversation on this one started when I was doing research for my video on the Wz.98a Long Rifle. I contacted various members on the K98k Forum and GunBoards that posted examples of theirs from a while back and asked for more information and detailed photos. Only one member reached out back to me, and they hinted that if they were ever to sell it, I would be getting “first dibs”. Several months later, I happened to be on an out of state assignment for work and about 15 minutes away from that forum member, so we had a meetup and we came to a handshake deal on it.
I am very pleased to add this one to my collection. It is a 1936 dated example, the first year of Wz.98a production. It has the correct Polish unmarked triggerguard, follower, floorplate, and has a correct Wz.98a matching bolt, and it is not import marked. While it is a bit “salty”, it shows no signs of any rework. Bore is in excellent shape, and should be an excellent shooter, though I rarely have any time to hit the range these days.
The story that the forum member relayed to me (from the original owner of it), is that it was a bring back by a family member and the stock was sporterized, so a reproduction (PPHU Fox?) late WWI pattern Gew.98 stock and bands were fitted to it, which honestly is a good enough facsimile for a Wz.98a pattern stock.
I do have a FB marked Polish rework of a Gew.98 sitting in a Wz.98a stock, so when I get back home, I might do some stock swapping to put this one into its original configuration.
