New acquisition: Bcd 41 #9142 RGuns import

K

K98den

Member
I recently purchased this K98 and need a little help deciphering some of the codes/markings. It's not an all matching but is complete and all-functioning with an excellent bore with excellent rifling.

Here are some pics and codes and serial #'s:

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Safety serial #: 1315
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Bolt #: 9764
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Barrel markings: "154 40BO"
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And here are general pics of markings including the RGuns import mark:

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I expect to put up the non-matching serial # parts for trade and add serial 9142 to the "Want list".

Thanks in advance for any info about some of the markings on this rifle.
 
Russian Capture Gustloff Werke with Bohler-Stahl barrel

Good afternoon and welcome. I am a newbie here as well and there is much you can learn once you look. The "picture reference" page is of great help and there are many "stickys," threads, etc that will answer many questions. I believe your rifle is a standard Russian Capture rifle which are a great economical way (IMO) to get your first "love bite" from the K98k, as long as you don't spend a ton. Yours is a 1941 Gustloff Werke rifle. My personal penchant is developing to be a Gustloff focus. They are interesting in that they built most rifles from sub-contractor parts. I believe yours has a Bohler-Stahl barrel (again I am a newbie so experts correct me if I'm wrong). A full length photo will show the upper barrel band configuration for a better idea of what exactly you have. Ultimately RCs are a love or hate thing it appears. They are a great piece of history in my opinion but a fraction of the cost (and desirability) of an all matching or bolt mismatch rifle. Ultimately if looking at RC rifles the best I hope for is finding one with the correct type of parts for the vintage. If you buy one to "make correct" you'll spend more than they are currently worth.

Bottom line, enjoy the rifle, study here and elsewhere. I am looking to buy the two volumes available for sale here and impatiently awaiting volume 2 in the coming years. There is no substitute for good references and research before spending large sums of money.
 
K98den said:
I expect to put up the non-matching serial # parts for trade and add serial 9142 to the "Want list".
Click to expand...

I am afraid artyldr01 is correct: trying to improve an RC is an exercise in futility. You will spend as much trying to improve a non-improvable rifles, as you would if you just bought a nice bolt mismatch rifle (that is, one with all original matching parts except the bolt). RCs are great first step into Mauser rifles, but they should be enjoyed for what they are.
 
Thanks for the replies and info. I have spent a good deal of time looking thru the stickies and maybe I am just not lucky in finding any info about the 154 40 BO code , but arty thanks for the info that it may be Bohler-Stahl code. There are no "X" markings anywhere, but the does the fact that there are electric pencil markings and RGUn import mark automatically mean a Russian capture? The German SS marks under the eagles are not preened out under closer inspection with a loupe? But there are several Inspection build marks with 3 digit #'s underneath the insignias such a "749" repeated in a few places . In any case I like this example and won't spend a fortune adding accessories or chasing after correct matching numbers, but will just try and keep it year correct, i.e. 1941.

Incidentally, the Magazine spring plate is # 6697 and the mag housing bracket is stamped with # 3705 both with the accompanying marks.

Thanks again for the info and warm welcome to the forum.

-Den
 
Clint,

As I am newbie to this, I had to do a quick search on the criteria of a DOT stock and looking over mine leaves me to answer your question as saying it's a strong possibility. I can take more pics and a video, but would that be enough to determine or is a disassembly the more certain method of determination! i.e. Inner markings?

-Den
 
I did order the 12.5" cleaning rod and correct sight hood today. I am going to try to also add a correct bayonet and scabbard within reason to the rifle at hand.
 
By the way, other than the excellent bore and overall condition of this K98, another reason I selected this particular K98 is that a friend of mine who has been a collector for over 25 years mentioned that RGun Imports generally have an above-average reputation for selecting better examples of models they import, and that some other resellers such as AIM surplus sometimes buy RGuns Imports for their own inventory to resell. Since this came into a shop where he works he gave me a heads up knowing I was looking for a K98 that wouldn't break the bank. The owner of the shop who is also a collector cherry picks his inventory, so I thing I did well for a first K98. Even if I didn't, the price point is still low enough to absorb an education in K98 Mauser's.
 
It's a nice RC. I actually prefer firing mine, all the fun, none of the guilt of something breaks on the rifle. My first Mauser was an RC and it really is the only one I fire on a regular basis.

To me an RC is like buying a non original 65 Mustang. It may not have the original engine, the paint may not be the right color and the seats may be from a 68 Stang but it runs and can be enjoyed. You won't win any awards at a concourse car show but if that isn't your intent then who cares?
 
K98den said:
does the fact that there are electric pencil markings and RGUn import mark automatically mean a Russian capture? The German SS marks under the eagles are not preened out under closer inspection with a loupe?
Click to expand...
Just because there is an import mark on a k98k doesn't mean it's a Russian Capture, but I couldn't tell you if RGuns imported any non-RC k98ks.
The swastika under the Reichsadler is not an SS marking.
 
K98den said:
Thanks for the replies and info. I have spent a good deal of time looking thru the stickies and maybe I am just not lucky in finding any info about the 154 40 BO code , but arty thanks for the info that it may be Bohler-Stahl code. There are no "X" markings anywhere, but the does the fact that there are electric pencil markings and RGUn import mark automatically mean a Russian capture? The German SS marks under the eagles are not preened out under closer inspection with a loupe? But there are several Inspection build marks with 3 digit #'s underneath the insignias such a "749" repeated in a few places . In any case I like this example and won't spend a fortune adding accessories or chasing after correct matching numbers, but will just try and keep it year correct, i.e. 1941.

Incidentally, the Magazine spring plate is # 6697 and the mag housing bracket is stamped with # 3705 both with the accompanying marks.

Thanks again for the info and warm welcome to the forum.

-Den
Click to expand...

In and of itself no but by all that is seen with the rifle it looks to be a Russian Capture rifle. Mine doesn't have the X in the typical spots you normally see in RCs and not all the swastikas are completely peened either. but the mismatch of parts, electropenciling and what appears to be a shellacked stock tells me that most likely the gun is a Russian capture. Even if it isn't, it really isn't worth anymore than a standard RC.

As others have said, turning the rifle into a numbers matching weapon would involve either a ridiculous amount of luck or someone faking the right numbers. One is impossible and the other is unethical. Enjoy it for what it is, a nice shooting rifle.

It's funny but when I go shoot I inevitably have at least 2 or 3 guys want to fire the Mauser. They all have 1-2K AR style weapons and some have never fired a bolt action rifle before. There is something inherently cool about hearing the crack of the rifle and realizing that this weapon might have actually been used in a war, against other troops. With few exceptions you don't find too many truly combat used weapons actually for sale to the public in any quantity. Thank the Russians for that because if they hadn't been so fixated on saving just about everything we wouldn't have these rifles today.
 
Stielhandgranate,

Thanks.Yes, I meant the swastika was not peened out, not an SS mark. I suppose it's not a hard and fast rule, but most reference areas here and elsewhere seem to suggest examples without the peened out swastikas and no "X" markings would reduce the probability of a Russian capture.

In the end, this one will be the K98 I will shoot, so while it's educational and enjoyable finding out about this K98 purchase and adding either period/year correct bits accessories make it even more fun to collect. One day I may tap my savings and seek out a proven- true numbers matching non-RC K98, but right now I am having too much fun just being able to aquire this K98 and learning everything I can about the most minute details from the nice folks here like yourself. I also have an affinity for Springfield 1903's. I guess that comes from the amount of Springfield pistols I own such as a pair of XDs .45's and my newest, a 1911 TRP. .45 ACP.

Thanks again for sharing your knowledge and passion for these weapons, everyone's replies have been very helpful...

-Den
 
I generally add capture screws, sight hoods and cleaning rods to my RCs, but that's it.

I've had the same experience at the range with the "black plastic gun" crowd. Some of the younger ones couldn't tell the difference between a Mauser and a Mosin. I let one older fellow fire my 1940 RC, and he was incredibly grateful.
 
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