My 98K with lots of pics

[7mmsavage]

I got this 1944 98K about 8 years ago on a consignment rack at a local gun shop. Somehow I've just never gotten around to taking some pictures and sharing them, so here goes.

Like I said the rifle is a 1944 model 98K that if I'm correct is sometimes refered to as a semi-Kriegs model. It's marked DOT, indicating it was manufactured in occupied Czecholslovakia. You can see in the photos the rough finish of the metal, and attrocious welds on the barrel bands. There are also no capture screws on the bottom metal, no bayonet lug, cleaning rod, or barrel band retainers, using screws instead. It is obvious the 3rd Reich was not what it once was by the time this one was made. At one time I owned a run of the mill Czech VZ24 that absolutely put this one to shame cosmetically, but it's still a straight shooter.

I'm also quite sure this one is a bring back. The Waffenamps have not been stamped over and there are no import markings. The stock has been duffel cut, something I have seen some folks repair, but to me just adds to the cool factor. Like many old 98's the bolt s/n does not match and it looks like it was given a coat of some type of shellac or poly sometime in it's life here in the states, but otherwise it seems original and overall in pretty good shape. Enough yap though, on with the pics. Enjoy

 

[7mmsavage]

More pics









and one with a former foe, now living side by side, never to fight again,

 

[TurtlePhish]

Nice!

 

[FMJMIKE]

Very Nice !!!

 

[SaxonPig]

Yes, one can clearly see the manufacturing shortcuts developing as Germany's capacity for production diminished. Nice piece for a 98 collection.

 

[mookiie]

Nice looking firearm sir! I am still hunting for one to call my own.

 

[Bushpilot]

Nice rifle. I'm curious about something though, maybe you can answer this for me. I noticed that the extractor on your rifle is a redish/purple color. I have a German 98 as well, made in Austria by Steyr in 42 if I remember right. It has a redishbrown/purplish extractor also. Now I had always assumed that this was because at some point, post WWII, mine had been either re-arsenaled by some other country or re-blued and the hardness of the steel in the extractor didn't take the blue well. Am I wrong or did some German WWII 98s actually look this way? Not trying to hijack the thread just curious if any knows the answer as to why both our rifles look this way.

 

[jason41987]

that has always been, in my opinion, the most beautiful bolt action made

 

[mshootnit]

I had one which I sold, the k98 is really an excellent bolt action. Light and handy, cycles and functions well. And personally I do not look down upon a nice russian capture either...there's a lot of history there.

 

[LawScholar]

Breathtaking. Thanks for sharing.

 

[7mmsavage]

Thanks guys.

Bushpilot, I have read that the extractors on many late war guns were various shades of reddish orange colors. I think it may depend on where they were manufactured. I don't know what the finish actually is but I do believe it is original to that particular bolt. The fact that the bolt and rifles serial #'s do not match is not uncommon. I understand that rifles and bolts were separated when captured, then GI's could pick from the two piles and have a complete rifle.

 

[19-3Ben]

There are also no capture screws on the bottom metal, no bayonet lug, cleaning rod, or barrel band retainers, using screws instead. It is obvious the 3rd Reich was not what it once was by the time this one was made. At one time I owned a run of the mill Czech VZ24 that absolutely put this one to shame cosmetically, but it's still a straight shooter.

Are you sure the rifle was produced with these things missing? I have no idea if it is based in reality or not, but I once read that after the war the Ruskies had captured a whole bunch of the Mausers. For some legal reason, they could not have all those captured complete rifles. So in order to comply they took out things like sight hoods, retaining screws, etc... That way the rifles weren't "complete."

I seem to remember reading it. I don't recall where, and have no idea if it's accurate. Can someone who knows more than me verify?