d dAY dOG
Well-known member
Need help w/ matching German K98 & Portuguese K98-possibly rechambered 6.5x58 to 8mm
I have a friend who was given 2 all matching K98s from his father around 30 years ago. One is German and the other is Portuguese. The Portuguese rifle has the crest, is stamped 6.5 Mod 1904 on the barrel, is almost identical in length to the German rifle, has a sling clip on the butt stock, came with a matching bayonet, and is SN# J9537. The German one has only 2 waffenamts on it (tiny marks - 1 on bolt and 1 on receiver), is BYF 44 marked on the receiver (late war?), sight hood, rod, and is SN# 3861. Both rifles are in terrific shape - clean bores, no pitting, wood on the German rifle is somewhat darker brown/reddish tone and does not appear to be sanded. Both rifles originated out of Canada before making their way to his side of the family.
I understand the fundamentals of bullet/barrel check, chamber casting and what not, but my friend is in California and I'm in Alaska so it's not like I can just drive over to his house to help him figure if the Portuguese rifle has been re-chambered. Is there perchance any markings (or lack thereof) that might tell him or something else specific to look for? I've read that on some Portuguese rifles that were re-chambered to 8mm Mauser, the 6.5 stamping on the barrel may be ("x") crossed out? His is not. He actually has some Swedish 6.5 ammo he was considering shooting in the rifle, but HE IS NOT GOING TO DO THAT. He also has some new production PPU 8mm Mauser ammo for the German rifle.
Sorry - I know pics can speak a 1000s words, but he hasn't produced any yet. Ever since he first told me about these rifles a couple years ago, I have been trying to get some pics out of him to post online. I will keep pestering him to do that so he can have photos to review with people who can help - and at least get a good insurance value for them.
Thanks for any impute !!!
Dog
I have a friend who was given 2 all matching K98s from his father around 30 years ago. One is German and the other is Portuguese. The Portuguese rifle has the crest, is stamped 6.5 Mod 1904 on the barrel, is almost identical in length to the German rifle, has a sling clip on the butt stock, came with a matching bayonet, and is SN# J9537. The German one has only 2 waffenamts on it (tiny marks - 1 on bolt and 1 on receiver), is BYF 44 marked on the receiver (late war?), sight hood, rod, and is SN# 3861. Both rifles are in terrific shape - clean bores, no pitting, wood on the German rifle is somewhat darker brown/reddish tone and does not appear to be sanded. Both rifles originated out of Canada before making their way to his side of the family.
I understand the fundamentals of bullet/barrel check, chamber casting and what not, but my friend is in California and I'm in Alaska so it's not like I can just drive over to his house to help him figure if the Portuguese rifle has been re-chambered. Is there perchance any markings (or lack thereof) that might tell him or something else specific to look for? I've read that on some Portuguese rifles that were re-chambered to 8mm Mauser, the 6.5 stamping on the barrel may be ("x") crossed out? His is not. He actually has some Swedish 6.5 ammo he was considering shooting in the rifle, but HE IS NOT GOING TO DO THAT. He also has some new production PPU 8mm Mauser ammo for the German rifle.
Sorry - I know pics can speak a 1000s words, but he hasn't produced any yet. Ever since he first told me about these rifles a couple years ago, I have been trying to get some pics out of him to post online. I will keep pestering him to do that so he can have photos to review with people who can help - and at least get a good insurance value for them.
Thanks for any impute !!!
Dog
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