1912 Danzig Kar98a

[Bigjobss]

Hey guys just wanted share a few pics of a recently acquired Kar98a that's in pretty good condition and has all matching numbers.
No unit or 1920 stamps. I got it from a collector that had it for over 10 years and he himself got it from auction.

Best guess is that it was souvenired by an Aussie solider that posted it back home, which was apparently quite common and relatively easy for our soldiers in WW1.
My research has also shown that the Germans sent a few Kar98as to the Ottomans, which makes sense as in 1915 our real entry to the War began in this region.

Beyond that I wish I knew more about this firearm, it has obviously been well looked after and I am having a real struggle with wether or not I should shoot it, the bore is excellent.

 

[Bigjobss]

few more pics...

 

[Bigjobss]

couple more!

 

[oldcorps]

That has to be one of the best in existence. All it needs is a sling.

 

[Bigjobss]

Awesome thanks mate, I thought it was a good one, I would love to find a period matching sling and bayonet for it, the search has begun, where should I start, ebay? Are they prone to fakes?

Just a little sidebar here but the blanket it is lying on is a RETSOL rug, which is a firm that opened in Geelong, Victoria after WW1 and was started to employ Returned Soldiers and Sailors, they made many fine woolen textile products.

 

[mrfarb]

That’s the nicest one I’ve ever seen for sure.


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[Bigdibbs88]

Nice maker/year for sure. Nice

 

[DWM1915]

Congrats, what a nice find, I can’t remember seeing a nicer imperial, great score!

Nick

 

[feldmütze]

Congrats on the pickup, that's the nicest pre-war K98a I've seen. If you don't have any luck on your sling search, contact me, I've got a couple of spare slings & lids.

 

[Bigjobss]

Thanks for the offer feldmütze, very generous and I may follow you up on it.

I always wanted a k98k but couldn't pass up on this one when it fell in my lap, sounds like I opened my Mauser account with a pretty good one.
Now to get to work on expanding my collection...

 

[Fal Grunt]

Wow!

I have had a few kar98's but they all look drug through a swamp by comparison!

I would say that is a fantastic first start, and will not be topped. You should probably quit while you are ahead

 

[Warrior1354]

Incredible condition you're off to a great start for your Imperial collection!

 

[Bigjobss]

Wow!

I have had a few kar98's but they all look drug through a swamp by comparison!

I would say that is a fantastic first start, and will not be topped. You should probably quit while you are ahead

I feared as much, but I will continue the hunt for a k98k and Gewehr 98 for something to do!
The collector I bought it from said he had intentions of collecting all the different imperial variants but never found the others in a suitable enough condition to bring home.

The question is do I shoot it? I am kind of torn by this, I loaded up a clip and cycled it through a couple times to see how it felt, as nice as anything I have used, my 30 year old Sauer was less fluid!
It is begging me to be shot, not something I would want to or would get the opprtunity to shoot a lot of anyway, any opportunity I get to shoot a big centrefire is usually valuable deer hunting time.

 

[Warrior1354]

Shooting this carbine is entirely up too you, at the end of the day its your rifle. But a prewar Kar98a this nice is very scarce and rare in the states back here. Have no clue how rare they are in your country I'm guessing not common. Especially when its all matching with no problems. So many were butchered when they came back too the states in the last century. Most likely this carbine would become a safe queen if it were mine. After all its a 105 year old carbine now! Still its a shocker how one like this survived the war with very little use. I'm guessing rear guard duty. By the way there is another Danzig 1912 posted in the Imperial picture section its in the c block if you would like too compare the two.

http://www.k98kforum.com/showthread.php?13077-1912-Danzig-Kar98a

 

[oldcorps]

The only arguable prewar 98 carbine I kept was was a WWII capture with the 1920 surcharge. That one was all matching and police marked to the Landjagerei at Gumbinnen, in far East Prussia. The stock actually showed visible wear from handling and it still had its original sling (three hole). How it made its way west had to be a good story. Anyway, it went to a collector from out east at SOS fifteen or so years ago. Maybe he's a forum member. In sixty years of collecting, I have never even seen one as sweet as this 1912.

 

[heavy_mech]

Absolutely fabulous, especially for a first collector! How 'new' can a 105 year old rifle be? I don't even see handling marks or any wear on the high metal surfaces which normally just happen over this much time. Or in the first few months after manufacture. It must have been some very special circumstances which kept this carbine this pristine for over a century. Outstanding! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Loewe]

I agree, this is one of the finest, if not the finest, pre-war Kar.98a I have seen. Exceptional condition, but too bad it isn't unit marked. Many pre-wars aren't and this rifles condition could be in part due to not being issued before the war. As for Imperials in AUS, there is at least one other really nice pre-war Kar.98a there, Lewis (S/42) once owned a really nice example, along with two really nice G98's, one being a Suhl maker, though I can't remember the exact maker. His 98a was an Erfurt/1913, a scarcer maker-date than a Danzig/1912, but considering this rifles condition, it's probably worth more... his too wasn't unit marked, but very nice.

Anyway, regarding shooting the rifle, I probably would, i like to shoot them at least once or twice during my ownership. These are rugged and idiot proof rifles, made for farm boys, bricklayers and industrial workers, - not sons of aristocrats and the elite of a society, - who sons typically do not fight the wars their fathers and grandfathers start (if they do they're officers). Pistols like the P08 are weapons best not fired, or tender & touchy rifles like the G43 which are prone to parts breakage. I would, and only do, use commercial non-corrosive or a superior surplus round, like some of the Portuguese ammo that is in high demand today. I'd avoid all the Turk and Balkan junk ammo when feeding a quality rifle like this. Be extra careful with the stock though, that is the really exceptional thing about this rifle, - it is what makes this rifle valuable. Depending on how you have to shoot it, I mean if you have a long bumpy road to a shooting range, or some adventurous journey to find a place to shoot, maybe it isn't worth the risks... in my case, my shooting range is on my front porch if i so chose, but for those with an adventure between (to get to) your shooting, maybe its not worth banging up the stock.

 

[Bigjobss]

Thanks for all the feedback fellas.
It was always going to be cherished and well looked after but now even more so. I do suscribe to the concept of curating rather than just owning.

That being said it will have to be shot at least once, I have good self control but only to a certain point.

 

[rickdiehl19]

Very impressive rifle! I would definitely shoot it at least once.

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