SS Kar 98 to K98k Rework For Review

[Mike2994]

I was able to pick this rifle, which I believe is a true "lazy s" K98a to K98k rework up in a package with a beautiful untouched matching BCD4 phosphate 'y' block at a show this last weekend for a good price. I had this rifle checked out by a very knowledgeable collector that you all know, a fellow forum member, and a dealer friend. Although I always appreciate more input, especially since I've now had the chance to take the rifle apart. Here is a list of what I've noticed from the rifle, please point out any mistakes or things I'm missing as I am very novice in regards to SS rifles (and still a K98 novice, especially compared all of you).

The good:
-Eagle N's are present on this rifle, floorplate, and follower.
-The markings under the wood look to be what they should be.
-The bolt is a extremely "K167" code.
-The bolt is not matching (As is consistent with 99.9999% of SS guns).
-The rifle shows consistent wear throughout.
-Under wood barrel date is same as date on top of barrel.
-Stock has penciled in serial # (Rifle wasn't advertised as a "matching stock", hell it was sitting in the very back of the sellers table rack behind Turkish Mausers and a rolling block)
-Stock/receiver do not seem to be pimpshined.

Unsure on:
-Unnumbered front band and rear band (Not necessarily bad, but I don't believe it to be original to the gun).
-The death's head seems to be stamped a bit close to the receiver.
-The rear sight is marked with an e/33..?
-The stock (replacement due to damage?) is marked with an e/16..? Yet it is has a penciled in serial # on the interior.

The bad:
-The rear sight and receiver seem to have been a victim of some pliers.

 

[Mike2994]

Pictures #2

 

[Mike2994]

Pictures #3

 

[bnz41john]

Looks like a very interesting amalgamation of real parts. Love the oddball stuff, and this one falls in that category. In my opinion.

 

[Absolut]

Personally I feel the stock was not period replaced. The SS would repair the rifle in their own workshop, and I don't think they would issue the rifle with a used and Wehrmacht-accepted stock.

It appears to me that the SS 98a to K98k conversions all carry the Lazy S DH on the barrel shank. If you want to compare it, I posted pictures of mine here: https://www.k98kforum.com/threads/98a-ss-conversion-with-lazy-s-deaths-head.40315/

 

[flynaked]

It feels like a sporter rescue in that stock, coupled with the pipe wrench marks; someone was trying to get the barrel off and failed, but they did crack the sight base in half. The BR/TG is real at least, it was proofed in Zella Mehlis.

 

[Bigdibbs88]

Agree, a real conversion but stock not original to the gun and it’s been through Bubba hands at some point

 

[Stan]

Personally I feel the stock was not period replaced. The SS would repair the rifle in their own workshop, and I don't think they would issue the rifle with a used and Wehrmacht-accepted stock.

It appears to me that the SS 98a to K98k conversions all carry the Lazy S DH on the barrel shank. If you want to compare it, I posted pictures of mine here: https://www.k98kforum.com/threads/98a-ss-conversion-with-lazy-s-deaths-head.40315/

That was what I was thinking as well. Also, I find it hard to think a depot would send a rifle out with such gaps on either side of the receiver ring. A small ring action in a large ring stock leaves fairly large gaps that would fill with moisture and debris quite easily. I would think some sort of wood shim/spacer would be used to close that up. Was this the case on other reported examples?

 

[Absolut]

I think the number of 98a to 98k conversions are far too little anyway to think what they did in the field with a replacement request. Honestly, I think they'd scrap the rifle rather than to reproduce small ring action 98k swivel and barrel band configured stocks (remember originally those were 98a to 98k reworked stocks too!).