Dual Date Kar98a, WW1-WW2 service with HzA.

From my, admittedly limited, research on the "Dual Date" rifles, I believe the sanding and stock renumbering would have occurred during the Weimar Era Cassel rebuild and that the HzA could then logically have been added during the Reich Era which could possibly explain the difference? I can attest that, in person, it does not seem nefarious but I could be completely wrong.
 
The stock was probably sanded and worn long before the Ingolstadt depot worked on it, but depots did sand stocks on occasion.

Jt3 probably didn't come around until 1941, and the Cl rework happened before 1926. That's at least 15 years of Army service between reworks, more than enough time to put all that wear on the wood.
 
That is interesting, the Emery cloth thing. I 100 agree, I won't touch it until, probably ever honestly, but absolutely will ensure I know what the correct, non-destructive, method would be. It's just so bizarre to me, which is why I am going to just cool my jets, research and appreciate what I have. She really is a time capsule!
 
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I agree with Ryan, interwar ordnance work is (very) often accompanied with sanding. This is very common; the clarity of the HZa Cassel marking and stock 1920 clearly (to me) suggest most of the sanding was done by Cassel, Ingolstadt seems to have just left the interwar markings unmolested, which is also common.

I also agree that I would not disturb the rearband, but this closes the possibility to further answers (guesses), but I would see if the front (of RB) piece has some special distinction (grain pattern, damage, dents, strikes, or wear pattern) that may offer a clue to this being an added front end. The dowel method is not normal SOP for German ordnance work, I doubt that is period work, and at least slightly suggests the possibility of some bringback-collector modification to its status.

But, as the probability is that little is to be gained from disturbing the hanguard (it is highly unlikely this is a re-barrel and a DC hardly helps value) it is best to value to keep some mysteries alive!
 
I will definitely research be researching / investigating more before I do anything, but ultimately will likely leave well enough alone and just enjoy the amazing find I am now the custodian of.
 
Just contemplating what the unit markings could mean. Both are definitely post WW1, but what are they? There was no 9th Kavalleriedivision in Reichswehr times, not even the WH had one with such a high number. The "3./" stands for the company number. Mounted troops would be abbreviated "R.R.".
Any ideas?

Nice gun, btw.!
 
I don't think the HzA mark is fake at all.

RyanE said:
The stock was probably sanded and worn long before the Ingolstadt depot worked on it, but depots did sand stocks on occasion.
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Loewe said:
I agree with Ryan, interwar ordnance work is (very) often accompanied with sanding. This is very common; the clarity of the HZa Cassel marking and stock 1920 clearly (to me) suggest most of the sanding was done by Cassel, Ingolstadt seems to have just left the interwar markings unmolested, which is also common.
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100%- the crisp markings atop sanded wood are a great indicator of this. I've presented a few good case studies of this over the years. I know some folks freak out and immediately cry "bubba" with sanding, but in some cases it's period on rifles that have had depot work.

That being said, the front looks like it's pretty smooth and very discolored..combined with the dowel in the rear band, I lean heavily to some sort of post-war tomfoolery. Unless it's really bothering you, there's no harm in leaving it be!
 
I spent considerable time looking through (looking for, mostly not finding...) trends on similar rifles, this is the only cavalry unit known to me, not even reports exist and it is almost a rule that "Army" (Reichsheer) 98a are never this original; police exist in some number, but not Army and I think this is a great discovery. It does have some unfortunate distractions but considering what is original (imo) this is a really exceptional rifle.

I am nearly 150% the dowel is not German work, the forearm sanding also, but the pictures the OP made available to me suggest this is largely original parts wise (both bands, banged up but real deal). 20 years ago i'd of given my left nut to have gotten this rifle, today my left nut isn't worth it!
 
Telperion said:
Just contemplating what the unit markings could mean. Both are definitely post WW1, but what are they? There was no 9th Kavalleriedivision in Reichswehr times, not even the WH had one with such a high number. The "3./" stands for the company number. Mounted troops would be abbreviated "R.R.".
Any ideas?

Nice gun, btw.!
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Reiter Regiment?
 
Below is a link to the Google Drive where I have better high resolution pictures for everyone to look at.

The two, unit marked stock disks. One, 12/J.R. (12th Jaeger Regiment) was likely on the stock prior to replacement BUT that unit served a limited time in 1917, but that time was in Italian Campaign. The second disk, 3./K.D. is 3rd Kavallerie-Division, which WAS a Weimar era unit and I believe the "new" disk with the rifle.

I cannot believe I found this beauty!

Kar98a - Google Drive

drive.google.com drive.google.com
 
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Loewe said:
I spent considerable time looking through (looking for, mostly not finding...) trends on similar rifles, this is the only cavalry unit known to me, not even reports exist and it is almost a rule that "Army" (Reichsheer) 98a are never this original; police exist in some number, but not Army and I think this is a great discovery. It does have some unfortunate distractions but considering what is original (imo) this is a really exceptional rifle.

I am nearly 150% the dowel is not German work, the forearm sanding also, but the pictures the OP made available to me suggest this is largely original parts wise (both bands, banged up but real deal). 20 years ago i'd of given my left nut to have gotten this rifle, today my left nut isn't worth it!
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Thank you Loewe, I REALLY appreciate your insight.
 
The usual place for unit markings on a Kar 98 ist the top of the butt plate. 12./J.R ... means 12th company, infantry regiment ???? In those times, and even to this day, "I" is often written as "J" as soon as it stands alone. So definitely "Infanterie-Regiment".
"Kriegs Division" would mean "war division"; what's that supposed to mean???

This style of marking (company numer / regiment) was introduced only after the war.
 
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