Simson "c" block Karab.98b with depot work

[chrisftk]

Picked this one up on Gunbroker. It was badly listed with minimal photos. It got some activity, but seemed to still fly below the radar. The rifle matches, as reworked, except for the extractor and the follower.

It started life as a "c" block, blank receiver Simson, but clearly had a lot of work done and likely several trips to depots. A few notes:

- Stock is a Simson armorer stock. The dimensions are thick/bulky and there is no side acceptance. There is very faint/worn stamp on the wrist, which is likely a depot identifier and a faint Simson eagle on the keel under the SN.
- Bolt is a repurposed k98k e/280 with some crude grinding and restamping on the small bits. The depot guy also thoughtfully stamped the cocking piece upside down.
- Simson logo replacement barrel with e/4 acceptance
- Front band is repurposed Gew98 with the hook ground off
- Armorer's Simson triggerguard with old imperial era Mauser-made armorer screws.
- Some of the other parts seem to have been salvaged as well.
- Unit marked to a Reichswehr artillery regiment (at least if memory serves, not as quick on interwar unit markings)

In any case, just wanted to share up here and document it. I believe this one came out of the woodwork to the seller.

 

[chrisftk]

Additional pics

 

[chrisftk]

Last pics

 

[Aaron]

Nice rifle! I've never seen the rear band sn done with four numbers stacked that way before, interesting touch. I never use gunbroker it seems like a lost cause but I guess I should dust off the old account, people seem to be finding good stuff on there! Can we get 2 overall pics of each side?

 

[chrisftk]

Nice rifle! I've never seen the rear band sn done with four numbers stacked that way before, interesting touch. I never use gunbroker it seems like a lost cause but I guess I should dust off the old account, people seem to be finding good stuff on there! Can we get 2 overall pics of each side?

Thanks Aaron-- I've been reasonably lucky, but it takes a lot of looking, timing and willingness to gamble on bad pics--so far only burned once on that font.

Full length Pics added to the original post.

 

[joryfreeburg]

Congrats on a really cool find Chris.. if you ever get tired of it……

 

[jack944]

You need to be a detective to figure that one out...interesting piece!

 

[chrisftk]

Congrats on a really cool find Chris.. if you ever get tired of it……

Thanks Jory-- I know who I'll call if i get tired of it, don't worry lol.

You need to be a detective to figure that one out...interesting piece!

Thanks Jack-- these reworks are always fun to dissect and figure out-- the 98M and 98b are some of my favorites because they often are mix of all sorts of depot work. I've still got a few we still haven't fully figured out, but that's part of the fun.

 

[Telperion]

What a cool piece!

4th battery of (Reichswehr) artillery regiment 4 was in Bautzen, Saxony; AR 4 was a Saxonian unit!

Thanks for sharing!

T

 

[hale1940]

Now this is a cool rifle with some interesting layers to it. Thanks for sharing Chris.

 

[chrisftk]

What a cool piece!

4th battery of (Reichswehr) artillery regiment 4 was in Bautzen, Saxony; AR 4 was a Saxonian unit!

Thanks for sharing!

T

Thanks for that! I knew artillery, but I am not as knowledgeable on interwar units and their history.

Now this is a cool rifle with some interesting layers to it. Thanks for sharing Chris.

Thanks Hale!

 

[heavy_mech]

Neat piece and a chance well taken I think. Who dares wins! For me an interesting thing is how different the quality of work is on different pieces. Removal of the stacking hook was pretty well executed and bolt root even better, however the bolt collar and safety in particular are quite crude with rough, wild grinding patterns. Congrats and thanks for sharing this.

 

[chrisftk]

Interestingly enough, I recently scored a Prussian Simson artillery sword marked to the same regiment.

It's a pretty beefy blade-- one of the heaviest i've held and bears a 1920 property mark as well.

 

[biggymu]

I missed this whole thread the first time around. If this one could only talk. Cool rifle and sword Chris. It looks quite uncomfortable to wield. Well done sir! Another Simson set!

 

[Loewe]

I missed this also, though that may be an oversight (lapse of the memory) also!

On-topic, in relation to the unit and range - a m/m stock listed on a G98 action in 2017 (LR auction): 2612 c - 4./A.R.4.37

 

[chrisftk]

I missed this also, though that may be an oversight (lapse of the memory) also!

On-topic, in relation to the unit and range - a m/m stock listed on a G98 action in 2017 (LR auction): 2612 c - 4./A.R.4.37

Thanks for sharing that one Paul, I've always enjoyed the Simson stocks. One of the cooler eagle designs.

 

[Dave Roberts]

How long ago was it when you scored this one Chris ??
By the way very nice SCORE!!!!!!!!!!

 

[chrisftk]

How long ago was it when you scored this one Chris ??
By the way very nice SCORE!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Dave! It was on Gunbroker back in late July. It was an auction, but the pics weren't great and i think the bolt renumber scared off people-- heck, it fooled me my first glance too.

 

[Dave Roberts]

Thanks Dave! It was on Gunbroker back in late July. It was an auction, but the pics weren't great and i think the bolt renumber scared off people-- heck, it fooled me my first glance too.

It was your turn to win , Congrats on a great Win . Very Nice and interesting Rifle

 

[Telperion]

Very nice stock, Paul, and very cool sword! It's from training battery (Ausbildungsbatterie) of AR 5, which was in Ulm-Wiblingen in the 20ies, at the border between Württemberg and Bavaria; its barracks were a former Benedictine abbey.

many greetings

T