Need some help with ID on this sported Mauser

[Flyin Brian]

Seeing as I'm a purist, I'm just as surprised as you guys to be asking questions about a sporterized rifle.

The main interest for me on this piece was the scope. It is German and on the left side of the tube says:
HENSOLDT - WEIZLAR
DIALYTAN 4X (serial hidden by mount)

It has "Made in Germany" on the left side of the turret, and looks very similar to my A-Jack 4X90.

The rifle is obviously a 98 Mauser, and has been rebarelled. It is chambered in 30-06. Almost every part has a Z in a circle, which I believe is a Czech marking, but I have only seen that on military rifles.

Anybody have any idea who did this?

Here are the pics:

[Flyin Brian]

[chuckdc]

Given the claw mounts and the brand of scope used, and the style of the conversion, I'd bet it was done over in Germany somewhere.

Hensoldt makes good glass, they are part of the Zeiss consortium now. I have a pair of Hensoldt 6x30mm "Jagd-Dialyt" binoculars that were my grandfathers in pre-WWII Germany. They are still good, serviceable glasses.

[NOTABIKER]

PURDY NICE
I have no problems with OLD sporters done back in the day. better than being melted down to make VWs.

[Go Navy]

That is a very elegant rifle, including the stock. Very high end custom job.

[Enfield47]

Beautiful rifle Brian.

[6mmintl]

Looks like a post war occupation sported military Czechoslovakian or zastava (yugo) 98 military rifle, still clip-slotted and thumb cut.

Had one with a toast bore and stock I picked up as parts, had nice double set triggers installed and minor engraving iron sighted that I tried to sell here, installed a NOS Norwegian 7.62 nato barrel in a 98 sporter stock.

Still have the norwegian 98K NOS unfinished barrel unfired if anyone is interested.

[Flyin Brian]

Thanks Guys, yeah it was not easy to set it down last week when I first saw it, but I have found I make fewer mistakes when I walk away and come back a little later to decide on something like this. Of course that mainly applies to something like this that is outside of my usual interests.

I found a scope similar to this listed on Ebay for $1100 but that is listed, not sold price. I checked it out thoroughly when I got home and it is definitely 30-06 and it headspaces perfectly.

I'm really confused about the (Z) mark, as this definitely shows up as the Czech Arms Factory trademark (Ceskoslovenska Zbrojovka) so that got me wondering why it is on a 98 and not a VZ24... not that I know the difference LOL

Oh well... I am taking her out to lunch tomorrow afternoon Lapua is on the menu!!

[Bainter1212]

Well I can't help you ID her but damn......that is a sexy rifle. Gets me all hot and bothered like

[Von_Richthofen]

I'm really confused about the (Z) mark, as this definitely shows up as the Czech Arms Factory trademark (Ceskoslovenska Zbrojovka) so that got me wondering why it is on a 98 and not a VZ24... not that I know the difference LOL

Several Czech factories made K98s and G33/40 during WW2 and into the 50s. I have z marked bolt parts on my DOT 42s.. They made some nice rifles. I could be wrong but the dove tailed sight on the barrel looks a lot like an MP40 rear sight.

G. Reinhardt for the WW2 waffen eagle 18 early war and Gustloff-Werke for later built mausers. and the other is either 37 or 77 on the receiver... Haenal or Radom inspection marks. Beautiful post war scope and nice rifle all around!

[emcon5]

Wouldn't the "Made in Germany" on the scope make it pre-war? If it was post-war, wouldn't it say "Made in West Germany"

[6mmintl]

Wouldn't the "Made in Germany" on the scope make it pre-war? If it was post-war, wouldn't it say "Made in West Germany"

During the occupation after WWII the skilled gunsmiths made up sporters for the GI's to supplement meager wages and other unskilled labor (rebuilding) requirements, I would think there was a brisk business in trading across borders with a few dollars attached if you wanted a pristine/specific mfg. rifle to start with on a build. I would have to believe the Western occupied side had a significant number of skilled workers in the arms business stuck there doing the same for the Russian officers/elite.

Remember there were lots of parts and unfinished products for scopes and rifles laying around that were salvaged and reassembled, not to mention squirreled away by general public and or scrounged by kids to make a few bucks here and there, I would think a kid (paid to scrounge guns/parts) if caught with a gun or gun part would get off lightly with a spanking if caught as opposed to an adult.

As far as marking "Made in Germany" I would think it started around 1950 when stability and normal trade was resumed but cannot definitely prove that.

[emcon5]

As far as marking "Made in Germany" I would think it started around 1950 when stability and normal trade was resumed but cannot definitely prove that.

Right, but there wasn't a "Germany" in 1950. There was West Germany (FRG) and East Germany (DDR). Was Hensoldt marking "Made in Germany" on things when they were actually made in West Germany?

[TRAP55]

Brian, very nice rifle, but an odd one to ID.
It doesn't look to be a "guild" gun, and if a "cigarette" gun, it's way above those quality norms. More like a guild gun, but done or re-done after the war.
The Circle Z proof is Czech, it's been found on some Polish Mausers as well, but with a Pole serial number suffix that yours doesn't have.
The trigger waffenamp dates to the late 20's Germany, but I can't make out the first number of the one on the receiver.
I'm no expert on the scopes, but I believe that one to be post war 50's vintage.
A real kink in the ID, is the Circle Z proofed 30/06 barrel. My best guess by the profile and length is, it came off of a early post war commercial sporter BRNO.
My best WAG, this was a cigarette gun, that got a re-do in the late 50's. Many Mauser sporter rifles like this were sold in the US Army military PX's to GI's stationed there.
Do you have any history on how it got here?
Whats the number on the receiver ring waffenamp?

[Mustang]

Wow, Brian...pretty rifle.

Going to try it in the vintage sporter class?