thisistheway
Well-known member
Centerfire Systems recently got a bunch of 1941 Portuguese 937B 98ks. Some are all matching with original matching bayonet, and they're asking $1700 for those. However, they are selling "non-matching" examples for just $900. I figured for the price of RCs and given my affection for the Portuguese contract guns I'd roll the dice on a pair.
These are *extremely* nice for the price and I'd recommend this as the perfect deal for an entry level rifle. They came complete with original leather slings (one the typical Portuguese black, the other brown - haven't gone hunting for markings yet on the latter) and original WaA135 marked cleaning rods. One is a pure bolt MM with the rifle matching itself and the bolt matching itself, action screws are mismatched. The other is interesting, has a mismatched bolt stop and action screws, the rest of the lower matches, and the firing pin assembly matches the lower (bolt body and extractor match each other but not rest of gun). The metal shows some light corrosion around the woodline, I haven't had them apart yet but as far as I can tell these are in much better shape than my 937A and another that passed through my hands. They are CAI import marked under front of barrel, looks recent. The stocks have sadly been lightly sanded, though the Heer marks and the silhouettes of the WaA135 stamps are just barely visible.
EDIT: Buttplates are mistmatched on both guns, so guessing they are stock mismatches as well. Doesn't detract from my overall assessment of these as entry level shooters.
The bores are absolutely immaculate, frankly appear unfired. Shiny through and through with rich, deep lands and grooves.
I am getting ready for an extended international work trip, so I probably won't have time to tear these down and take lots of pictures just now, but for $899 (no tax outside KY, flat $30 shipping for both rifles together) if you know someone looking to get into their first 98k to shoot and enjoy, I would say this is 100% the way to go while these last. Doubt we'll see all-original German 98ks at this price again, let alone in this kind of condition. Their asking price for the all matching examples is probably far too steep if the stocks on those have been sanded as well, but then again these don't really pop up all that often.
Mods, I wasn't sure exactly where this belonged so apologies if it needs to be moved.
These are *extremely* nice for the price and I'd recommend this as the perfect deal for an entry level rifle. They came complete with original leather slings (one the typical Portuguese black, the other brown - haven't gone hunting for markings yet on the latter) and original WaA135 marked cleaning rods. One is a pure bolt MM with the rifle matching itself and the bolt matching itself, action screws are mismatched. The other is interesting, has a mismatched bolt stop and action screws, the rest of the lower matches, and the firing pin assembly matches the lower (bolt body and extractor match each other but not rest of gun). The metal shows some light corrosion around the woodline, I haven't had them apart yet but as far as I can tell these are in much better shape than my 937A and another that passed through my hands. They are CAI import marked under front of barrel, looks recent. The stocks have sadly been lightly sanded, though the Heer marks and the silhouettes of the WaA135 stamps are just barely visible.
EDIT: Buttplates are mistmatched on both guns, so guessing they are stock mismatches as well. Doesn't detract from my overall assessment of these as entry level shooters.
The bores are absolutely immaculate, frankly appear unfired. Shiny through and through with rich, deep lands and grooves.
I am getting ready for an extended international work trip, so I probably won't have time to tear these down and take lots of pictures just now, but for $899 (no tax outside KY, flat $30 shipping for both rifles together) if you know someone looking to get into their first 98k to shoot and enjoy, I would say this is 100% the way to go while these last. Doubt we'll see all-original German 98ks at this price again, let alone in this kind of condition. Their asking price for the all matching examples is probably far too steep if the stocks on those have been sanded as well, but then again these don't really pop up all that often.
Mods, I wasn't sure exactly where this belonged so apologies if it needs to be moved.
Last edited:
