First Matching K98k; 1939 Sauer

My first matching K98k; a 1939 Sauer PICS UP

...is not here quite yet, about a week from Monday. I have had as many as six K98s up to now, the best being a bolt MM byf43 that I let go to a good friend, but never a matching one. Many of you saw the pics posted in the trader in my (mercifully) short search, and the relative furor after stating my seller was liquidating 70+ Mausers. With myself serving as contact point exclusively for the K98k forum, I know that two board members also bought from him. Hopefully they'll post soon. I'll post further when mine arrives.

Here were the seller's pictures:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sre...2193&authkey=Gv1sRgCKGGybfJ8dfr4wE&feat=email

By chance shortly after I bought mine, a nicer '39/147 i-block (1892 units earlier) did not sell on GB for $3,004. Mine cost less than twice that and I'm quite pleased.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=384501136

I had a couple of questions before it's arrival. I have filled in the missing pieces with an early muzzle cover, unmarked cleaning rod, and I have a tired original sling to put on it for now. It's all matching save an armorer's rear trigger screw. As Sauer was an assembler, there are a couple of other manufacturer's parts in it: the receiver and entire rear sight are WaA359/Walther, the rear band is WaA214 Berlin-Lubecker, and the firing pin is WaA1 BSW or Gustloffwerke; I assume Gustloffwerke as an i-block would be later in 1939 after the merger?

Anyway the reason for posting early is that I noticed some finish problens on the upper half of the receiver and barrel; is it corrosion, or rust, or uneven patina? I assume I should leave it alone. Should I consider gently using 4x steel wool/CLP?

Just looking for an opinion on this before it gets here.

Thanks,

T.

Edit- just looked at the pics, the 1 is not an E/1 it's just a number 1, nothing to do with Gustloff. The rear band is odd but looks correct.

From the original pics, parts in question:

T.

On second look, there is a 37 on the serial side of the firing pin.

OK, that's good. I'm odd in my own way, so we're a match. How about the finish?

T.

Can't help with that, but there's probably not any finish under that rust other than bare metal.

Rear band could be factory or a period replacement? I cant see any obvious signs of grinding/restamping/humping on rear bands serial number. Fonts look similar...but not sure.

The rifle is fine imo, a pretty nice example, but I agree with Mike, that the porosity won’t clean up beyond bare metal.

The RB is not BLM, it is just an earlier accepted component from JPS, it is correct imo, - the “l” marking is as Mike suggests, but of course “l” has nothing to do with Gustloff Weimar, the “l” is an “L” and it stands for Astrawerke, Chemnitz-Saxony who just supplied components to bcd (but it has nothing to do with Astrawerke either, as this is a "1" or one, not a subcontractor "L"). Besides, I am not sure Astrawerke supplied FP anyway, most came from Köhler (e) and Kähler (q), at least so far as I have noticed… but I guess it doesn’t matter, as Mike is correct, the “1” has nothing to do with any of the firms mentioned.

I like the rifle, quite an honest example, certainly a bargain compared to the other rifle you linked, - Matt was crazy not taking $3k for that rifle… that seller is righteous and honest but damn that was a lot of money for that other rifle. I guess I am out of touch on rifle values, when I was buying 98k’s you could buy half a dozen for $3k and have change leftover to take the wife out for a nice dinner...

mrfarb said:

Can't help with that, but there's probably not any finish under that rust other than bare metal.

Click to expand...

Duh; a leftover 1938 band. Makes perfect sense.

Looks like there is a little "M" forward of the '1'. Inspection mark as the pin is E/37?

T.

Supposed to be here Monday!

T.

Here is is:

A true battle veteran having survived all of WWII in its original condition, save an armorer's rear trigger guard screw and missing cleaning rod (an unmarked one is on the way). The rear band is a left over 1938 part with a WaA214 proof. Bore is mint. Finish is mostly patina now.

Nasty whack on the underside of the fore-stock.

T.

A few more.

T.

congratulations! sweet looking rifle. I really like the look of it.

Now that is a really beautiful rifle. I am confused did you pay more than the one on GB?

plymouthmauser said:

By chance shortly after I bought mine, a nicer '39/147 i-block (1892 units earlier) did not sell on GB for $3,004. Mine cost less than twice that and I'm quite pleased.

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I paid less than 1/2 of that $3000 example.

Took it down to see if there was a stock code/date - none. I found the milled band spring to be unmarked; another armorer's part. Looks like it survived well with only two replacements + my cleaning rod.

Bruce/Mike: is this one in too much of a 'veteran' condition for volume 2?

T

I kind of figured that's what you meant. It's a real stunner.

Wow, very nice addition! I love the stock color and the been there-done that look. At true veteran rifle, making it through the war. If it could only talk...

Should say all I've done to it is a coat of Howards's Feed and Wax, a metal with with a CLP rag, and one pull of a bore snake. Sling is an old one I had laying around, and the muzzle cover came from IMA (WaA63), but matches nicely.

T.

gergnotwen said:

Wow, very nice addition! I love the stock color and the been there-done that look. At true veteran rifle, making it through the war. If it could only talk...

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This is how I like my MilSurps; used, patina, dings and dents, etc.

T.

I have another one coming next week; an all matching bcd41 Norwegian conversion. It currently has a 4-hole IDF sight hood. Anyone have an original German one in very good shape? Trade?

T.

Cleaning rod came today. I also picked up 43 boxes of clean 1977 M75 Yugo surplus for the Mausers. Just enough light left for a pic. The Sauer and the bcd41 Norge are headed to the range tomorrow!

T.