WW2 Era k98 questions

[moog]

Looks very nice, but I'm a bit concerned that the trigger guard and mag floorplate not having matching numbers. This is often an indication that the stock has been replaced.

Do the barrel bands have serial numbers? This late they may well not have had serial numbers.

The other thing to check is the stock barrel channel under the barrel. Serial number is usually stamped in the wood there. If you are unfamiliar with K98 disassembly please get an person experienced at it to get the lower barrel band off. Its easy to scratch the metal...

Tim

Hmm. Barrel Bands? I'm not familiar with that term.

[2shotjoe]

Hmm. Barrel Bands? I'm not familiar with that term.

the metal strips holding it together.

[emcon5]

RE: Barrel bands, pictures are worth 1000 words. Photos shamelessly lifted from SVT-40s post.

There are 2 bands, the forward one is seen here, with the serial number:

.

The rear band has the front sling swivel:

[bruceflinch]

Looks very nice, but I'm a bit concerned that the trigger guard and mag floorplate not having matching numbers. This is often an indication that the stock has been replaced. Do the barrel bands have serial numbers? This late they may well not have had serial numbers.

The other thing to check is the stock barrel channel under the barrel. Serial number is usually stamped in the wood there. If you are unfamiliar with K98 disassembly please get an person experienced at it to get the lower barrel band off. Its easy to scratch the metal...

Tim

At first look (& 2nd), I felt the stock did not appear as original since it looked kinda shiny real smooth, like a hard finish coat of something.

Cool markings!

[TRAP55]

Looks very nice, but I'm a bit concerned that the trigger guard and mag floorplate not having matching numbers. This is often an indication that the stock has been replaced.

Do the barrel bands have serial numbers? This late they may well not have had serial numbers.

Tim

Tim, not always. Our bombers were pounding the hell out of any factory that showed any signs of activity, that late in the war. Some factories were reduced to making single parts. It's not uncommon to find one made that late, with several different parts stamped with several factory codes, or even dual codes.
Barrel bands, especially the front, may not have serial numbers. They came from spare parts bins for armorers to fit and serial when they were winning, emergency parts when they were on the run.
It looks all correct from what I can see, moog nice score on a Kriegsmodell!
Here's how to take it apart and get it back together:

http://207.36.233.89/mauser98k/rifledisassembly2006/index.asp

[timdps]

Tim, not always. Our bombers were pounding the hell out of any factory that showed any signs of activity, that late in the war. Some factories were reduced to making single parts. It's not uncommon to find one made that late, with several different parts stamped with several factory codes, or even dual codes.
Barrel bands, especially the front, may not have serial numbers. They came from spare parts bins for armorers to fit and serial when they were winning, emergency parts when they were on the run.
It looks all correct from what I can see, moog nice score on a Kriegsmodell!
Here's how to take it apart and get it back together:
http://207.36.233.89/mauser98k/rifle...2006/index.asp

I'm edging toward thinking it might be all original, although there are still questions to be answered...

Certainly the bands probably not have numbers that late. Am still concerned that the TG, floor plate and bands might not be original to the rifle as these pieces "should" ideally be stamped not milled pieces. However, as you say parts were parts that late in the war and they used whatever was available. Doesn't the "1" manufacturing code as shown on this floorplate indicate armorer's parts?

Have been looking at the "Kreigsmodell" book and there is a photo of two svwMB ""b" block rifles very similar to the OPs early "c" block on page 128. They show unstained standard stocks (takedown disk and bayo lug) with pink glue in the laminations.

Questions for Moog:
Is there an eagle stamp on the right butt stock behind the takedown disk?

We definitely need to see any markings in the barrel channel.

Is the lower band stamped (raised center rib) or milled (grooved on the side opposite the sling slot? Compare yours to the bands to the rifle that SVT40 posted.

Tim

[InFamous20]

I wouldn't do anything to it until you find out more info.

+1 on the Gunboards and kreigsmodell book reference.

[SVT-40]

The mag floor plate is a mismatch and not original to the rifle. In addition this late production rifle should have a stamped trigger guard and stamped magazine floor plate. No German K-98 left the factory with mismatched parts. Not a big deal, but just a fact.

The sight hood also looks to have two holes on each side. If so thats a definite non German part. The only country which used sight hoods with two holes on each side were the Israelis. The sling is also Israeli.

I'm not trying to run your rifle down, just making comments regarding it's originality.

[moog]

Thanks for all the research guys! I'll take a look when I get home to answer some of the questions.

[major burnout]

You have a great rifle there. Any K98 with out import stamps is a rare bird. Mostly matching #'s is even better. The screws dont look buggered. That is an excellent example of a late war K98. Like they said, dont do anything with it till you find out what you have!


P.S. I'd feel like I missed an opportunity if I didn't ask......Are you thinking of selling it????

[moog]

So it's been just over a year now since I last posted my original thread. For christmas this year my dad got me what he was told is a 1940 german mauser bayonet. Looking at the bayonet, it looks like it would fit perfectly. But when I try to slide the bayonet onto the gun, it hangs up and wont slide on. It looks like the piece that the bayonet attaches to, the rails are a little too "beefy". Did this part change in design from 1940-1945? Any knowledge would be appreciated.




I can't seem to get the other image posted correctly. So shamefully, here is a link to it.

http://db.tt/q1c6z183

[Rogerbutthead]

I took a look at Kriegsmodell but could not find anything on manufacturing shortcuts which caused bayonets not to fit. I'd hate to see you scratch up the finish on that beautiful phosphate trying to get a bayonet to fit.

You might want to ask the authors about it on gunboards or the K98K forum.

[moog]

I took a look at Kriegsmodell but could not find anything on manufacturing shortcuts which caused bayonets not to fit. I'd hate to see you scratch up the finish on that beautiful phosphate trying to get a bayonet to fit.

You might want to ask the authors about it on gunboards or the K98K forum.

Thanks for the info. I will try my luck over on the k98k forums.

While I really wanted the bayonet to fit, I did not want to force it on. Nor do I want to do any grinding of any sort to make it fit. Guess I'll have to find another all matching bayonet that actually fits lol.

[emcon5]

Does the bayonet release button on the grip move freely? If it is stuck from 70 years of gunk, it could cause what you describe.

[moog]

Does the bayonet release button on the grip move freely? If it is stuck from 70 years of gunk, it could cause what you describe.

Good idea, the button does move freely. I also tried putting a little gun oil in the channel of the bayonet thinking that it might be gummed up. But it did not seem to make a difference.