Dual Date Kar98a, WW1-WW2 service with HzA.

[artyldr01]

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.

Thank you for the input on the 12/j.r. and I misspoke, 3/k.d. =3. Kavallerie-Division.

 

[Loewe]

Gortz & Bryans list K.D as Cavalry and the 3rd in the GK2, I haven't dug through my library or Casten to see what is written abut the unit but it all fits with GK2 in Kassel... but one must be suspicious when a rifle is so rare (mostly due to condition and survival) and nothing exists to compare it too... I feel it is original, more or less, - the molestation is a distraction and such often is used to conceal something negative, but I fell this is right and really only a relative handful of collectors exist for such a variation and the extreme profit motive is absent (not to mention how many study 1919-1925 Germany politics or military, most are old farts, going senile or both...)

I think this is an exciting example from a very interesting period of German history, I wish there were more examples to compare it too.

 

[artyldr01]

Loewe, thank you again! If there is anything specific you want me to photograph, just let me know.

I did gingerly remove the "dowel" / lower and upper band was able to confirm, it is not duffle cut and the forearm is is cracked near the end. The upper band screw is a tad stripped as well. I will not go further as the handguard is cracked and I don't want to mess with the cross bolt. I will look to replace both screws though if I can find them. (but keep the old ones of course).

 

[artyldr01]

The firing pin is forced matched, in fact it had two different SNs prior to "03."

 

[artyldr01]

Ok, I could (gingerly) resist. The handguard is cracked and fragile but matching, as is the stock, I believe (despite my earlier belief). The barrel, looks original, as are thr small parts.