Polish Model 98a

[Rhind64]

I am not sure which forum to put this post. I have had this Polish 98a for a couple of years and just recently pulled it off of the rack to take a detailed look at it and to research it. Its a very interesting rifle with some fascinating history. From what I have so far learned is that these rifles that are marked just 98a are Imperial Gew 98's that have been scrubbed and added new polish barrels. Most do not have original bolts ect...This rifle is interesting in that it does have a "matching" bolt, however is it a force match? the other parts of the bolt do not match. I believe it does have a faint polish mark on the bolt handle. The whole bolt assembly appears to be a greenish phosphate finish. What can you tell me about my rifle? Thanks!!

Rick

 

[Rhind64]

More pictures

 

[tokarev38]

Very interesting rifle,
Those were typically refurbished in this fasion in Warsaw Armory (ZW) around 1937 to be sent to Spain. That one seems different however. Receiver doesn't look like German WWI with its typical proofs and markings, and neither like Polish. Maybe it is, but with completely removed and reapplied markings. German would have Gew 98 with added letter "a" during refurbishment, and Polish would have "wz 98a". Z in a triangle indicate refurbishing arsenal. Interesting is a date of the refurbishment of 1939 as indicated on the stock. It is unreadable, but between letter W and digit 3 of 39 there should be a digit indicating month. It would be nice to know it too see how late before the war outbreak that conversion was done. I believe that this rifle could be a put together by the arsenal from the left over parts in the final months before the war. Sling is Polish pre war issue, so most likely original to the rifle.

 

[Rhind64]

tokarev, thank you much for your reply! It is indeed a fascinating rifle full of history! I have read on this forum and elsewhere on the 'net that the Polish "98a" marked receivers are rifles assembled using German Gewher 98 receivers and parts. The receivers were scrubbed and then marked with the Polish Z and just 98a on the sidewall. I am just learning about theses so I certainly can be wrong! Yesterday I took the rifle apart to look under the hood and I am adding photo's showing the barrel codes. Also while doing that I found that the rifle is a duffle cut. Very cool and for myself adds alot to the overall package! Also a mark that I found which I think is cool is the "98a" mark on the rear site which is Polish. Anyway. very cool rifle!

Rick

 

[krukster86]

Rick,
Neat rifle, thanks for sharing. I may be mistaken, but from what I have read in a book on Polish Mausers, early production Wz.98's (1922-1924 production) would have maintained the use of the Langevisier sights and look nearly identical to Imperial German Gewehr 98's. In 1936, Polish small arms doctrine shifted from short rifles (like the Wz. 29) to long rifles again (don't ask me why haha), and Wz.98a's were produced, which utilized flat tangent sights. However, these were typically marked Wz.98a on the side rail, and it is interesting that yours is simply marked "98a". Your barrel is marked with the Polish eagle, and the Z in the triangle denotes "Zbrojownia" or armory. I am assuming yours was reworked by Zbrojownia Warszawska (Warsaw Armory) by the ZW on the stock.

 

[tokarev38]

Rick,
Neat rifle, thanks for sharing. I may be mistaken, but from what I have read in a book on Polish Mausers, early production Wz.98's (1922-1924 production) would have maintained the use of the Langevisier sights and look nearly identical to Imperial German Gewehr 98's. In 1936, Polish small arms doctrine shifted from short rifles (like the Wz. 29) to long rifles again (don't ask me why haha), and Wz.98a's were produced, which utilized flat tangent sights. However, these were typically marked Wz.98a on the side rail, and it is interesting that yours is simply marked "98a". Your barrel is marked with the Polish eagle, and the Z in the triangle denotes "Zbrojownia" or armory. I am assuming yours was reworked by Zbrojownia Warszawska (Warsaw Armory) by the ZW on the stock.

Early Warsaw made long rifles that originally had ww1 style rear sight, had that sight changed to a new style like on later wz98a rifles during refurbishment process. That’s why you can see those rifles with sights typical to later production guns.

 

[Absolut]

Attached some pictures of how the muzzle cover correct to your rifle should look like. It is basically a copy of the Gew98 muzzle cover, but made of brass that was painted black. Note the Polish acceptance on the left side and the manufacturer on front (Kranc & Lempicki).