Karab 98b. What do you know?

W

Wulfmann

Well-known member
I bought a box of what was seemingly junk but as I went through it I realized the barreled action marked Karab. 98b was matched to many parts making a complete matching gun except for no bolt. But, there was a 98 bolt matching to itself with no maker proofs at all and if it were not for the Nazi FP on the bolt stem I wouldn't be sure it was even German.

Other parts with no number were the two band springs and there were no capture screws.. Even the TG screws match

I have limited knowledge about this Gew98 renamed Karab 98b with post WWI updates like the new rear site, turn down bolt, K98k type sling and bands etc and these seem to be an updated bicycle troops Gewehr

This one is well worn with a dark bore but strong lands and grooves, frosted and shoots very well. The lands seem to brighten up after shooting and my guess the barrel will clean up well

Again, a matching Karab 98b with a MM bolt

LMK what you think or have knowledge of

Here is a link to all the photos for those interested
http://s5.photobucket.com/user/Wulfmann/library/Karab 98b?sort=3&page=1


 
That's a nice rifle I guarantee this was brought back as parts from a veteran out of an estate. Finding a matching kar98b is extremely tough very tough. To be honest the only examples I have came across or the ones that came out of the Balkans a few years back collectors snagged them up as fast as they could. This rifle does have some interesting characteristics with it too I have a feeling this may I went through a Depot may explain some of the markings around the barrel and receiver area. To be honest I don't know a ton about these rifles but if you find one that is all matching it is really expensive. To give you a perspective if you find a stock for one of these rifles it will sell for over 400 plus dollars. Would like to hear what Loewe has too say about this rifle. One of the foremost experts on these rifles was Craig Brown but sadly he passed away last year. Anyway congrats on your find sir.
 
Awesome find! I'd be curious as will others to see the barrel codes on that one. I have one with an early Spreewerke barrel. He's right about stock, very cool to see the proofs on that one; mine was missing the original and I was lucky enough to find an original one after about 3years, have about $150 into that stock luckily. Must have been very exciting to start piecing that together to find it largely matching! Thanks for sharing.
 
Two things I noticed with curiosity when I just has pieces that I did not know matched: the stock, a Gewehr had a notch for a turn down bolt and the lower band spacing was wider than a Gew98 should be. That had me stumped at first and it was only when I found the bands I realized it had been updated (You would think the stock sling pass through and dismount would have meant that but I missed it.)
The receiver being scrubbed of the maker on top was also a WTH thing.

I will throw this on GB and start it at 400 since you all say the stock is worth that and we'll see what happens.

Funny, I did not want to buy this pile of junk but my friend needed to get rid of it and I get some good stuff from him so reluctantly gave him $90.00 for everything then gave all the rest of the stuff to the old German vet who gave me the "Mein Kampf", some 1944 8MM WWII German ammo and a bunch of 8MM boxer cases. I also gave him a nice barreled receiver Gew98 Amberg 1917. he insisted I take about 300 blanks in 308. What will i do with those?
 
Ok went through my research notes. These rifles were made by Simson between 1924-1931. In total they made around 70,000. From my notes the least of amount of these rifles were made in the years of 1924 and 1931. Remember not alot of rifles were made in Germany during the 1920s period and early 30s alot of financial and government party problems. Not too mention the other list of things too go with it. Anyway in short your rifle falls in the e block which would be late production most likely 1929-1930. But whats really nice about this piece is its a bolt mismatched rifle. Like I said finding any Kar98b rifles for sale is scarce let along one that is almost matching. While a Kar98b is rare and valuable the dated ones are the rarest and hardest too locate.

Hope this helps.

By the way is there any markings on your bolt take-down disk sometimes these are unit marked as well?
 
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