Kar98k S/42 1937

[UhReckz]

Hello, looking at purchasing this beautiful rifle. I was hoping I could get a price valuation and also some things cleared up.

Also any additional information if someone notices anything I’m a complete novice to kar98k’s

It’s marked S/42 1937 and has all matching numbers however the bayonet is also matching number and I didn’t know they did that, I have been led to believe that’s only for Portuguese contract kar98’s to have a numbered bayonet, anyone know?

Thanks

 

[AN-94]

Welcome to the forum. I would need to see more pictures for a complete evaluation including stock condition and markings, buttplate, more of the bolt numbering, floorplate and trigger guard for starters. As for the bayonet being numbered to the rifle, you are correct that matching bayonets to rifles was for Portuguese rifle contracts. It's possible that this rifle was actually part of the first batch of Portuguese m/937 rifles (more pics will confirm this)as 1937 is when the first deliveries of rifles to Portugal began. But so far, I like what I see as for rifle numbering and condition (honest wear). I'm guessing you're in Europe based on the modern proof marks present on the barrel.

 

[UhReckz]

Welcome to the forum. I would need to see more pictures for a complete evaluation including stock condition and markings, buttplate, more of the bolt numbering, floorplate and trigger guard for starters. As for the bayonet being numbered to the rifle, you are correct that matching bayonets to rifles was for Portuguese rifle contracts. It's possible that this rifle was actually part of the first batch of Portuguese m/937 rifles (more pics will confirm this)as 1937 is when the first deliveries of rifles to Portugal began. But so far, I like what I see as for rifle numbering and condition (honest wear). I'm guessing you're in Europe based on the modern proof marks present on the barrel.

Hi AN-94, thanks for the warm welcome, yes i've heard that might be the case regarding being from the batch of the Portugese issue, does that affect the rarity in anyway? If this rifle is what it claims to be... I will get those pictures for you. I understand pre-war is more desirable, so I was wondering about this rifles rarity in any case, if it is what is claims to be ofcourse?

Also no, I am in Australia!

 

[UhReckz]

Welcome to the forum. I would need to see more pictures for a complete evaluation including stock condition and markings, buttplate, more of the bolt numbering, floorplate and trigger guard for starters. As for the bayonet being numbered to the rifle, you are correct that matching bayonets to rifles was for Portuguese rifle contracts. It's possible that this rifle was actually part of the first batch of Portuguese m/937 rifles (more pics will confirm this)as 1937 is when the first deliveries of rifles to Portugal began. But so far, I like what I see as for rifle numbering and condition (honest wear). I'm guessing you're in Europe based on the modern proof marks present on the barrel.

Hi AN-94 here are more images as requested, what do you think?

 

[UhReckz]

And some more

 

[UhReckz]

And more

 

[freudi]

Es handelt sich um einen portugiesischen Vertrag.
Siehe die Nummer auf dem linken Schaft und den Rest des portugiesischen Stempels.
Beide sind gestempelt!

Der FWW-Stempel ist der Importeur.

Waffen Frankonia Würzburg Deutschland

 

[UhReckz]

It is a Portuguese contract.
See the number on the left shank and the rest of the Portuguese stamp.
Both are stamped!

The FWW stamp is the importer.

Weapons Frankonia Würzburg Germany

Being a portugese contract i'm guessing this makes it less desireable? Are these rare at all?

 

[freudi]

In Deutschland sind diese oft verfügbar
1000 Euro plus oder minus

 

[UhReckz]

Welcome to the forum. I would need to see more pictures for a complete evaluation including stock condition and markings, buttplate, more of the bolt numbering, floorplate and trigger guard for starters. As for the bayonet being numbered to the rifle, you are correct that matching bayonets to rifles was for Portuguese rifle contracts. It's possible that this rifle was actually part of the first batch of Portuguese m/937 rifles (more pics will confirm this)as 1937 is when the first deliveries of rifles to Portugal began. But so far, I like what I see as for rifle numbering and condition (honest wear). I'm guessing you're in Europe based on the modern proof marks present on the barrel.

any additional information you could provide based on the new photos?

 

[Telperion]

It's a standard Karabiner 98k production with all features of that time frame, made at Oberndorf. As already said, it was diverted to Portugal where it survived the war, what most of the others of that year didn't. If you are searching for a prewar M/O Mauser, that's what you will get most probably. As there are so many around, it might be not as valuable as one that was shipped to the Wehrmacht (and stayed there!), but this is rather good for you imho! The matching bayo is another big plus! The modern proof markings are not so nice but you couldn't avoid them here.
I would like to have a look under woodline as they tend to be a bit rusty there! What baffles me most is that the bayo grips are from plastic what they shouldn't be. Maybe some collector's enhancement.

Nice rifle! If the price is right ...

many greetings

T

 

[UhReckz]

It's a standard Karabiner 98k production with all features of that time frame, made at Oberndorf. As already said, it was diverted to Portugal where it survived the war, what most of the others of that year didn't. If you are searching for a prewar M/O Mauser, that's what you will get most probably. As there are so many around, it might be not as valuable as one that was shipped to the Wehrmacht (and stayed there!), but this is rather good for you imho! The matching bayo is another big plus! The modern proof markings are not so nice but you couldn't avoid them here.
I would like to have a look under woodline as they tend to be a bit rusty there! What baffles me most is that the bayo grips are from plastic what they shouldn't be. Maybe some collector's enhancement.

Nice rifle! If the price is right ...

many greetings

T

Thanks for that, sadly the price is not right, the seller wants in excess of 5000 euro. I'm guessing it's hard to find all matching numbers in Australia for a K98 hence his ridiculous price. Good to know though, thank you for clearing that up.

 

[Cyrano4747]

Thanks for that, sadly the price is not right, the seller wants in excess of 5000 euro. I'm guessing it's hard to find all matching numbers in Australia for a K98 hence his ridiculous price. Good to know though, thank you for clearing that up.

Price is always extremely dependent on the local market. A price that is insane in the US, for example, is often pretty reasonable in Canada just because of the realities of limited supply up there.

I'm not saying that this is a 9000 AUD rifle or anything like that, but I wouldn't use prices in the US or Europe as a measuring stick for what they should cost in Australia. My understanding is that, yes, German WW2 firearms (like everything else) are much more expensive in Australia as a rule of thumb. Now, are they THAT much more expensive? Beats me. I don't know your market well enough to say.

 

[Muncher 1953]

It's a standard Karabiner 98k production with all features of that time frame, made at Oberndorf. As already said, it was diverted to Portugal where it survived the war, what most of the others of that year didn't. If you are searching for a prewar M/O Mauser, that's what you will get most probably. As there are so many around, it might be not as valuable as one that was shipped to the Wehrmacht (and stayed there!), but this is rather good for you imho! The matching bayo is another big plus! The modern proof markings are not so nice but you couldn't avoid them here.
I would like to have a look under woodline as they tend to be a bit rusty there! What baffles me most is that the bayo grips are from plastic what they shouldn't be. Maybe some collector's enhancement.

Nice rifle! If the price is right ...

many greetings

T

regarding the bayo grips, my thoughts also, upon seeing the screw slot.
Still, a very nice pairing.

 

[AndyB]

Normally the grips on bayonet should be wood.

 

[AN-94]

any additional information you could provide based on the new photos?

As Telperion said, it's a Portuguese contract M937, which were just standard Mauser Oberndorf K98k rifles pulled off the line and stamped with a Portuguese crest and serial number on the stock. Roughly 40,000 of the M937s were delivered before they changed over to the M937A with different sling configuration and sights. If you're looking for a prewar K98k, this is one of the easiest ways to find one in nice shape as anything else from 1937 that stayed with the Wehrmacht saw another 8 years of service and most of the limited prewar production did not survive in great numbers. I have no idea what pricing is like in Australia but given that Australians had a much more significant presence in the Pacific than in Europe, I'm guessing not a whole lot of German small arms worked their way back. The bayonet being matching is a nice bonus though as mentioned, the grips should be wood (Pic related is my C block bayonet).