My first K98 S/42

M

Maximo

Member
It has been a while since I was actively looking for a K98. But I finally did it and pulled the trigger on a K98 on an auction platform, ended up paying 50 bucks more than I intended.

I was in a rush so I just inspected the rifle quickly and took some pictures. Despite the overall signs of use, the barrel has a sharp profile. I am by no means an expert on this rifles but I wonder about some of the markings, as they differ. Most stamps show an eagle and a number (they are literally everywhere), but there are also two markings with a swastika. There are also some newer markings from the post war approval by German authorities. And there is an additional stamp on top off the barrel with 8x57 and another sign.

I would love to find out more on the history of the rifle.

Here are some pictures I took with my phone.

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Looks like you’ve got a nice honest S/42 1937.

It was manufactured at Mauser Oberndorf in 1937. Nice mix of Weimar and Nazi style proofs. 1937 was a transitional period for those sorts of things.

From the limited pics it appears to be matching and has its original (worn) finish. And yes it was clearly pressure tested again, sometime during the West German period.
 
Browsing through the reference pics I noted some differences on the stampings. There is no H stamp on the shaft, hence I suppose it has not been deployed in German military service but rather a contract - potentially Portugal.

@Remfan Payed 530 EUR
 
The early Mo937 doesnt have portugal crest on receiver only large crest on buttstock, and Eagle only is there not Eagle H, this could be portuguese contract, but You should find on buttstock the additional A or B serial near buttplate. On barell are postwar proof of Waffen Frankonia Wurzburg and 1978 october.
 
AndyB said:
The early Mo937 doesnt have portugal crest on receiver only large crest on buttstock, and Eagle only is there not Eagle H, this could be portuguese contract, but You should find on buttstock the additional A or B serial near buttplate. On barell are postwar proof of Waffen Frankonia Wurzburg and 1978 october.
Click to expand...

I guess that’s solves the puzzle. I think there was an additional marking on the buttstock.

Edit: Just to make sure I got this right. Any S42 that has an additional 5 digit serial number with an A or B prefix near the buttplate is from Portugal?

I assume that 8x57 marking on the barrel top is from Frankonia.
 
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Yes they are in A and B block near buttplate marked over this should be a portugal crest with 1937, but sometimes its sanded out, but i believe on this is visible remains of the serial.
8x57 is a caliber denoting by reproof by Frankonia.
 
Just checked the weapon. It has a faded logo with 1937 stamped in and a 5 digit serial number near the plate. However, there is no letter pre/suffix. I can not share the picture from IPhone. Need to resize it later.

Nevertheless, it’s definitely a contract rifle :-/
 
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