I Have a Mauser 98 That I Need Identified Please

[WilliamR]

Many years ago, I bought a military style Mauser 98 (short rifle/carbine length) in 8mm, straight bolt handle, bearing the date 1937 on top of the receiver, under the "Mauser" engraving. Condition appears little if any used, having been since date of manufacture carefully handled and stored.

On the left side of the receiver is engraved "Standard-Modell." Forward of this, on the left side of the part of the receiver that contains the chamber, are four tiny crowns in a square pattern, under the crowns is engraved BG and UN.

The rife is set up exactly like a military German Mauser corresponding to the date on the receiver, including bayonet lug, sling swivels, etc..

It's clearly, however, not the K98k adopted by the German Army for WWII, but it looks like a prototype of it. What exactly do I have?

 

[Cyrano4747]

You need better pics of the rifle. Straight bolt handle or turned down?

Based on your description, though, it sounds like a Standard Modell, which was basically what you described - a pre-production version of the K98k that incorporated many, but not all, of its features.

 

[WilliamR]

Thanks. Straight bolt handle.

 

[WilliamR]

Oddly, there are no Nazi markings on it.

 

[Dradzk]

These would have been either commercial or export sales. As such, not Nazi marked.

 

[WilliamR]

Any idea of what it's worth?

 

[WilliamR]

Bore is like a mirror, and rifling super sharp.

 

[Muncher 1953]

Any idea of what it's worth?

look on gunbroker for similar examples

 

[WilliamR]

I've never even seen a similar example. Would it go for the kind of price that a K98k in like condition would go for? More? Less?

 

[Cyrano4747]

These would have been either commercial or export sales. As such, not Nazi marked.

Most (all?) of them were also made before they switched over to the eagle proofs.

I've never even seen a similar example. Would it go for the kind of price that a K98k in like condition would go for? More? Less?

Depends on a lot of stuff. Bore condition isn't really the main factor. Do all the parts match? Has the stock been sanded or otherwise altered? This is what I was getting at when I said you needed to post more pics.

 

[WilliamR]

I found one online that sold for just under $2,000.00, but it was in much rougher condition.

 

[WilliamR]

Mine appears to be all original. All numbers match. It appears to be the way it was when it left the Mauser factory. I just saw the following quote from an American Rifleman article: "Pristine pre-war Standard Modell Mausers can bring $2,000-$3,000."

 

[WilliamR]

Here's the American Rifleman article: https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/the-banner-mauser-model-98-standard-modell/

 

[runner]

Don’t put too much stock in The American Riflemen article as it is rife with errors.

The writer makes the common mistake of considering the Standard Modell and the Mauser banner Modell as being one and the same, they are not.

The Banner Modell with the Mauser sidewall address, turned down bolt and side mounted sling is not the “later version” of the Standard Modell, in fact the Standard Modell with the straight bolt handle remained in production for years after the Banner Modell was discontinued by Mauser.

More closeup photos are needed, but you appear to have a very nice example of a B series Standard Modell.

 

[WilliamR]

Don’t put too much stock in The American Riflemen article as it is rife with errors.

The writer makes the common mistake of considering the Standard Modell and the Mauser banner Modell as being one and the same, they are not.

The Banner Modell with the Mauser sidewall address, turned down bolt and side mounted sling is not the “later version” of the Standard Modell, in fact the Standard Modell with the straight bolt handle remained in production for years after the Banner Modell was discontinued by Mauser.

More closeup photos are needed, but you appear to have a very nice example of a B series Standard Modell.

What's the B Series, Runner?