Banner Mauser K98k Snipers?

[Emdawg]

Hi guys,


Sorry for the vague thread, but I am looking at a friend's rifle that is a Standard Modell K98k with a long-side rail scope mount. The scope is a Dialytan 4x optic and made by Schneider Optiks (if my memory serves correct) The scope has a single fence post reticule. Also has the tube extension for the sun, can't remember the name of the part...

Mount has the same last two serial number digits as the rifle's serial number. Scope didn't have any from my knowledge.

It is nearly in the same condition as this one from Simpson's. Only difference is the type of mount and it has a cupped butt-plate with the serrations.

I have searched the Web and haven't come up with much.


Anyone here have any ideas? I wish I had taken pictures, but missed the chance.

[emcon5]

Is there a story behind it? Off the top of my head, Long side rail wasn't introduced until 1943, developed by JP Sauer & Sohn, and the action had a thicker receiver wall. They were produced primarily by Gustloff-Werke.

Some Short Side rail rifles were made from earlier rifles, are you sure it is a LSR? Also, the Standard Modell would have come with a flat butt plate, not the cupped. The cupped would be right for a 1943 LSR though.

[Emdawg]

It had belonged to a collector from Santa Barbara some time ago before my friend bought it. I have heard of the collector, so he is not some mysterious person or Bubba.

The mount is definitely a LSR. Scope is not "original" to the gun, but is correct and not a repro.


I need to get some pictures of it and post it here and on Gunboards. Am really interested in it, but I don't want to get a total turd.


Did hear that many Banner Mausers were converted to sniper rifles around 42/43 due to the amped up need for snipers on the Eastern Front, so it being a late conversion to an LSR would make some sense.

[Discogodfather]

If you search for LSR info all I have ever seen or heard of is Gustloff late war stuff. It was a cost cutting measure and the rifles where stamped BM and barrel bands. One went in 2013 at rock island for 26k if memory serves but it had some paperwork.

I would pay an expert to render an opinion as any WW2 german sniper stuff is almost impossible to authenticate. Some experts have gotten into such detail that their opinion is worth money, other than that it is a crap shoot.

How much is he asking? Even a repro is worth a lot to the right buyer who wants the shooting experience. I'm a sucker for banners though........

[emcon5]

I don't think that the mount was a cost cutting measure (well, maybe over the turret mounts) but an improvement over the short side rail which was not as durable as needed.

Were there any original long side rails on standard receivers, that didn't have the thicker flat left side?

[Emdawg]

Well, he wanted $2500 for it as he wasn't sure of the authenticity of the mount. Now he does actually have two for-sure repro mounts (one is Czech and the other is from Asia) and they are not nearly the same quality as the mount that already came with the gun.

The scope was from another source, but it is a real German scope. It has the sun-tube (is that the name?) and the scope band for absorbing shock. Made by Schneider Optik if I remember correctly.

[Jarhead]

Doubt it's an original Sniper, fake Mauser Snipers are more common than real ones.

[Emdawg]

Well, I didn't say it was completely original as the scope did not come with the rifle, but it is correct.

I am just looking for information on K98k snipers made from Banner Mausers and if so, this one might be worth looking into.

[emcon5]

I would ask that question here:

http://www.k98kforum.com/forumdisplay.php?20-Optics-and-Mauser-Sniper-Rifles

[Emdawg]

That is what I think I will do, but I will wait until I have pictures before I post in the Lion's Den.