Small ring K98

[Theriverjustknows]

I recently picked up a halfway sporterized K98 that I'm going to tear apart and make my own project. It is stamped FB Radom 1930 on top, EP22## K98 on the right side & another four digit # on the bottom of the receiver that does not match the one on the side. From my own research I believe it is a small ring K98 and it was mentioned that it at some point it could have gone to or through Mexico.

Does anyone here know if this is true or not? If so, any history you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

[Mustang]

What is the diameter of the receiver ring?

[Theriverjustknows]

1.296"

[Mustang]

Yep...that is a small ring.

Wonder if it is a Polish KAR98a. I believe Poland made a version of the K98AZ.

[TRAP55]

Pics?

[Marcus von W.]

It's the Polish version of the WW1 German Kar 98a. These rifles were made in the 1920's and 1930's.
Many were scrubbed of their original Polish markings and sold to the Communist/Socialist/Anarchist "Red Republicans" whose Marxist bloodbath precipitated the Spanish Civil War. After Franco's Spanish Nationalist forces (with the help of Hitler and Mussolini, who were "the good guys" in this chapter of history) swept the Bolshevik scum into the sea, these Polish Kar 98a's, along with the modernized, large ring receiver, version known as the WZ29, ended up in the Nationalist government's possession. They were later sold off in the early through late 1950's, mainly to Interarms.

These scrubbed Polish 98a's the most commonly encountered Polish versions of this rifle. A few Polish 98a's with intact markings also came out of Spain, but they are quite scarce.

When Germany and the Soviet Union divided up Poland in 1939, all the remaining Polish Mausers, including 98a's, ended up in German hands. These weapons were then integrated into the German weapons inventory system and supplied to various German military forces (such as army and Waffen SS Gebirgsjaeger -"Mountain Infantry" - units), police and security forces, etc. For some reason, probably use by Gebirgsjaeger units, a number of Polish and German 98a's ended up in Romania and were captured from retreating German forces at the end of WW2.

Polish 98a's with intact receiver markings are quite scarce and command a considerable value premium over the scrubbed ones. So if your rifle is in restorable condition, it is worth returning it to original configuration.

Parts are kind of hard to find, especially the unique stock, handguard, and hardware that were used only for this model and will not interchange with any other M98 Mauser.

I haven't heard of any Polish Mausers, or German or Polish 98a's, going to Mexico. Mexico used their own version of a small ring Model 98 Mauser - also a very scarce and desirable rifle in any kind of decent shape - but these have an intermediate length action that is not interchangable with the standard length action of the 98a.

You really need to post some clear, detailed photos of your rifle so we can see exactly what you have and what it needs.

I do have a Polish WW2 issue/German WW2 recaptured/WW2 Romanian captured WW1 German 98a for sale on the Trader here for $350.

It has a worn out bore and thus is good mainly for display/historical re-enacting, or parts. If yours is worth restoring, this would be a good source for the parts you need.

[DennisCA]

Yup - Def need pic's!

[Theriverjustknows]

Well all I have is a barreled action and it's getting sporterized. It really was not my decision to do it but it is what it is. I'm not a huge 98 fan anyways but I love the history. I'll see what I can do about pics.

The Mexico connection was mentioned because some of those rifles that went to Spain were actually sold to other countries including Mexico and then sold to Spain. As far as I can tell they were just a middle man in the deal and didn't actually use them because as you said they already had their own model. I have no idea if this was the case for my rifle, it was only speculation.

[Marcus von W.]

Sporterizing a restorable Polish K98 barreled action, especially one with with rare and desirable intact receiver markings, is a really bad, so wrong, terrible, double negative un-good, not smart, crime against history, financial mistake, thing to do. I would really, really, really advise against it. Properly restored using a correct stock set (German or Polish 98a, or Polish WZ29) it's worth a lot of money. "Sporter-Bubba'ed", it's worth dog crap.

[Mustang]

The reality of the situation is that the small ring Mauser action is not ideal for sporting projects.

If the Polish receiver is intact, you would be much better off selling it and buying a large ring Mauser, one that possibly is already sported.

Probably save yourself some money, too.

[Theriverjustknows]

Well in this one instance I don't have the time or money to replace it. I agree with you guys and hate the idea of sporterizing but this is for a mandatory class project. The point of this thread was not to discuss whether or not to sporterize but to see if I could get some history on this.

[Mustang]

Well in this one instance I don't have the time or money to replace it. I agree with you guys and hate the idea of sporterizing but this is for a mandatory class project. The point of this thread was not to discuss whether or not to sporterize but to see if I could get some history on this.

Ok...well go ahead and do it...just, for Christ's sake, please don't tell us about it when you are done...

[Theriverjustknows]