Kar98k identification help

[maathimself]

I recently inherited what I believe to be a Mauser Mod 98 byf 43. I am not sure if it had been modified at all or if some or all the parts are fake. I am just looking for some insight. Thanks

 

[Mauserguy85]

Yes, it’s been modified… “Heavily” in all respects. Receiver drilled and tapped for some kind of post-war/modern mount/scope. Entire rifle metal heavily polished. Bolt handle modified and reshaped and polished into the white. Aftermarket sporter style walnut stock. Barrel…List can go on and on.

Basically it’s a hunting rifle/shooter now. No collector value.

 

[maathimself]

Can you tell which caliber this is? The diameter is 7mm.

 

[Mauserguy85]

Can you tell which caliber this is? The diameter is 7mm.

Unfortunately I’m not sure. Could be anything honestly. Originally in its wartime configuration it was 7.92x57mm or commonly known as “8mm Mauser”. I would remove the rifle from the stock and see if it’s marked somewhere on the barrel…

 

[maathimself]

Unfortunately I’m not sure. Could be anything honestly. Originally in its wartime configuration it was 7.92x57mm or commonly known as “8mm Mauser”. I would remove the rifle from the stock and see if it’s marked somewhere on the barrel…

 

[Zeppelin5000]

That's the receiver. Those markings don't really mean anything. Check around the barrel for markings. When a rifles been messed with as much as this one, always suspect it was possibly rechambered. Get a cast of the chamber done if need be.

 

[Mauserguy85]

^^^This

 

[maathimself]

That's the receiver. Those markings don't really mean anything. Check around the barrel for markings. When a rifles been messed with as much as this one, always suspect it was possibly rechambered. Get a cast of the chamber done I'd need be.

Thank very much for your help

 

[Muncher 1953]

Since it appears the barrel has been replaced, I’d doubt it’s still 8mm, but whether 7x57 or something else is an open question. The style of barrel (lacking the shoulder that butts against the receiver) suggests to me that it might now be .30-06 or some caliber larger than 8x57, but that’s a guess. I have some different caliber snap caps (dummy ammo) I’d try in it to see what chambered/didn’t, but given the number of different wildcat cartridges existing, a visit to a gunsmith to get a chamber cast would be a wise choice.

 

[Cyrano4747]

Since it appears the barrel has been replaced, I’d doubt it’s still 8mm, but whether 7x57 or something else is an open question. The style of barrel (lacking the shoulder that butts against the receiver) suggests to me that it might now be .30-06 or some caliber larger than 8x57, but that’s a guess. I have some different caliber snap caps (dummy ammo) I’d try in it to see what chambered/didn’t, but given the number of different wildcat cartridges existing, a visit to a gunsmith to get a chamber cast would be a wise choice.

100% I'd go with a chamber cast. The sky is the limit as far as what it could be now, although being a totally new barrel probably removes some of the oddities you could get when an existing barrel was just reamed out, like 8mm-06.