A mystery Mauser

[aklon]

Not long ago I picked up an interesting Mauser, Mod.98k. The rifle looks to be a Czech issue thanks to the trigger guard, but the rifle is notable more for what it doesn't have than what it does: almost no markings.

Here's the whole rifle. The wood is nice and clean, and the metal is still nicely blued (except for wear on the bolt handle). It's evident that this piece was not abused or fired regularly. There are no import markings anywhere.



Here's the right side of the action; the extractor still has that nice plum color.



The top of the reciever shows the Mod 98 and DOU.45 stamps. These are the only German markings on the rifle.



Here's the left side of the reciever. You'll note there's no roll stamp on the action (like "PRESNUDICE").



On the right side of the barrel, the letters "HK" are stamped, This (and the lions) are the only other clues to who built this rifle and who it was issued to.



Finally, here are the last two marks,two standing lions facing left. One is on the receiver, another on the barrel above the chamber.



That's it. If anybody can tell me a bit more about this rifle, I'd be much olbliged. In the meantime, enjoy the pictures of a very nice rifle.

[Mssr. Eleganté]

I think that's just the way the Czechs marked rifles made after the war. The two lions on the left side mean post war production.

[smeg]

yes, that is a very nice example.
these are the post war czech built k98s. they were made from left over and newly made parts. they exported many of these. some had german receiver markings 'dot 1945' or 'mod.98 dou.45' like yours. but most had scrubbed top receivers.
samco had sold these for a long time and they were a great value for a shooter k98 at about $200.

the HK is an original german barrel code. if you look on the underside of the barrel, you may also see a dot 13 shield as well. the lions are the so called rampant lions the czechs used. the big triggerguard is a winter triggerguard. they were only used postwar.
that stock is typical of these in having a bayo lug but no bolt takedown disk. it is usually also not drilled for a cleaning rod as well. this is a type of kreigsmodell style that is typical of the gustloff(bcd) and some of czech guns used leftover 'c' marked gustloff stocks. the 'c' is a small stamp on the heel. the difference between these and wartime germans stocks is the german ones will have an eagle/H stamp on the right buttstock.

those are nice guns. if you ever decide to sell or trade, please let me know

[barqs19]

These rifles were made for export after the war. Most went to Israel which is probably where this one's been. Some were rechambered to .308, others left alone.

[DRH]

The Israel Defence Force mausers have the IDF logo on the receiver and are designated 7.62 in large numbers to indicate the 7.62x51 conversion. Century had them a little while back. I got one and it was severely rusted under the wood and in a general fair condition. I am going to give a shot at restoring it. Does anyone know where to get a K98 type stock without the cutout for the bolt disc? This rifle was made by FN. Here is a picture