My K98k Collection

Jdt said:

Nope your rifle is in the "V" block as for stocks yes, it really depends on just what was next inline to be fitted. When your rifle was made and fitted, just depending on what was chosen next by the worker (or in the early too late war slave laborers) the stock could have been walnut on rifle 2963 V.

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So would it be true to say the action sn would have been stamped into whichever type of stock the assembler reached for, laminate, walnut, maple, etc, then stamped with the action sn? Were the stocks made and marked in blocks?

Mauser35 said:

So would it be true to say the action sn would have been stamped into whichever type of stock the assembler reached for, laminate, walnut, maple, etc, then stamped with the action sn? Were the stocks made and marked in blocks?

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Yes, the stock would be blank until it was fitted to a action and then stamped with that fitted action serial number. As for stocks being made there would be a two or three letter code on the stock for the stock supplier, sometimes external as well like a "C" for Menzel we see on Gutsloff finished rifles. To answer ya question tho without me rambling to much, Yes they would be made and then just get the supplier code stamp, once fitted the stock would serialized.

Jdt said:

Nope your rifle is in the "V" block as for stocks yes, it really depends on just what was next inline to be fitted. When your rifle was made and fitted, just depending on what was chosen next by the worker (or in the early too late war slave laborers) the stock could have been walnut on rifle 2963 V.

Quick edit: but the letter below your rifle serial number is a cursive "V" and you also see it on your bolt as well. Those two V letters (especially on the receiver) mean your rifle was 22nd batch of rifles made from Mauser Oberndorf in 1937.

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Got it. Thanks for the info. There's a "K" stamped into the Bottom of the stock behind the palm swell about 1.5" above the sn and an "H" on the side of the butt stock. What do they signify?

Mauser35 said:

Got it. Thanks for the info. There's a "K" stamped into the Bottom of the stock behind the palm swell about 1.5" above the sn and an "H" on the side of the butt stock. What do they signify?View attachment 425446View attachment 425447

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If I recall right the "K" is the glue type. My AR 41 has a "P" in the same place. @Stephan98k is more of the guy for stocks, he's been doing research on'em for years finding trends.

Jdt said:

If I recall right the "K" is the glue type. My AR 41 has a "P" in the same place. @Stephan98k is more of the guy for stocks, he's been doing research on'em for years finding trends.

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K = kasein type glue, P = phenolic type

Muncher 1953 said:

K = kasein type glue, P = phenolic type

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That's right, I knew the K & P represented the two different glue types but the exact names escaped me.

Mauser35 said:

Got it. Thanks for the info. There's a "K" stamped into the Bottom of the stock behind the palm swell about 1.5" above the sn and an "H" on the side of the butt stock. What do they signify?View attachment 425446View attachment 425447

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The Eagle over H signifies the branch of service that accepted the rifle, H for Heer (Army). You'll also find L for Luftwaffe (Air Force) and M for Kriegsmarine (Navy). The markings for the Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine would be dropped in 1942 with the widespread simplification of weapons manufacture and all rifles would be routed to the Heer and distributed to other branches as needed. So the E/H is the only branch acceptance you will see used past 1941 and only by certain manufacturers. You'll occasionally find earlier rifles that are Heer accepted but have naval property markings on them, usually in the form of a letter (N for Nordsee or North Sea, and O for Ostsee or the Baltic Sea, followed by a inventory number.

Great collection Aaron! Sporter rescues are a labor of love as I quickly learned with my Kar98b. Nice to see that you were able to restore so many!

AN-94 said:

Great collection Aaron! Sporter rescues are a labor of love as I quickly learned with my Kar98b. Nice to see that you were able to restore so many!

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Ya saved the day because I totally forgot about Mauser35 second question. Did your Karabiner98b stock come from Fox out of Poland? If so, what was the lead time? I'm thinking of ordering a blank K98K stock for my DUV 42 Gustloff assembled rifle.

Been meaning to ask as soon as I seen the latest update you had for that save but forgot to ask.