Third Party Press

1936 S/42 K98k Serial # 3947

Badger

Badger

Well-known member
Hello Simson/Mike/Bruce et al ………. :)

I've removed picture copy restrictions, so go ahead and enlarge then right click pics to save for your research.

I've also left "descriptions" open for any of you to make comments.

1936 S/42 K98k Serial # 3947 (all matching)
(Mfg by Mauser Werke AG, Oberndorf a/N)

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1936 S/42 K98k Serial # 3947 (click here for 264 pic photo montage)http://imageevent.com/badgerdog/germanservicerifles/1936codes42k98kseria

I think I'm wearing my camera our since you guys opened this forum. :biggrin1:

Regards,
Doug
 
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I agree, and it is not all that common either!

I remember this rifle from the 2008 auction, as it was a very elusive rifle to find.. in the MRJ/199 I wrote a rather lengthy article on the DRP/DR Mauser Banner K rifles. They are rather common comparatively to these VERY few Kar98k military types that found their way into Postschutz service (I have seen only a couple – the RFV are common by comparision!).

The DR & DRP was massively expanded under Hitler (he did not start the process, - he simply enthusiastically adopted what earlier German governments started.) and in March 1933 the DRP was given its own Police force, the Postschutz (The Reichsbahn had had one previously, though it was massively expanded as well under Hitler). The German post office was not really comparable to the USPS as its function was rather significant beyond the mail. They controlled or owned the broadcasting equipment and even offered an early version of television (offered at a few post offices to the public apparently!).

Anyway, not surprisingly Backboner got the topic rather wrong on these DRP marked rifles, - they were anything but part of some clandestine effort to arm the SA/SS (as though they would need this.. show the fundamental flaw in understanding of events 1931-1935 Germany, - there was no one to hide arming the paramilitary groups from, and that had been a unimportant issue anyway when there was disarmament oversight..)

Really nice rifle and not common at all, - beautiful Mauser quality, un-reworked/original and DRP marked to boot! Why it survived in such remarkable condition is probably because of its DRP past- they seem to have seen more rack service than field service. Probably served out most of the war in some rack or guard shack!

Beswick said:
I like it.....that DRP in the sling cutout is really cool!
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Doug, I added a few comments where I saw something worthwhile to note.

Unfortunately MauserO is a very "boring" maker generally.. they were one of the few "real" makers of rifles- most like Sauer, Gustloff Weimar, Steyr (as the war progressed) were mostly assemblers of others parts. Mauser and dot/Brunn especially never became makers that depended upon others and are therefore rather boring because they made all their own parts (mostly- Mauser did use some sub-contract parts later, mostly FN, who they had connections too).

They both also are the highest quality rifles until the end- both MauserO and dot made a high quality product till the very end- and early on like this, just remarkable quality. Of course in 1936 many of the firms were high quality "in-house" as the process Dr. Todt later implemented hadn't begun (dirtbag Speer would take credit for this but his success during the war was more in his organizational ability and relationship to AH rather than any ability- he did have a good judge of people that could further his goals though.. knew who to place where.)

Anyway, wonderful rifle, totally original and rather unique with the DRP marking! (very few documented)
 
SimsonSuhl said:
Anyway, wonderful rifle, totally original and rather unique with the DRP marking! (very few documented)
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Thank you very much Simson ... :)

Damn, I appreciate the personal time you've been spending to help educate (and correct) this chronologically old, but in collecting terms very young in experience K98k novice.

I have no idea how I ended up in OB's, but it was more of an accident then by design. ;)

I think I got a matching 1942 from a friend at our local gun club for $500 and that started the journey into K98k's, which has been ongoing for about 6 years now.

Anyway, I have a fascinating 1937 OB to do pics of, which has a factory restamped contemporary font matched serial number on the cocking piece ( think that's what it's called) with an asterisk on the bolt. I think that means a rejected part and repair? I'll get the photo montage done in the coming weeks and post it here, plus a 1938 OB as well.

Thanks again for all your time and assistance. It's been very helpful and much appreciated. :)

Regards,
Doug
 
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I'd like to say +1 what SimsonSuhl said- the DRP marked 98k's are tough to find, but I will also say that S/42 1936 is hard to find too, so you got both in one package!
 
No problem, - I appreciate the effort you have taken to document these rifles and it does further my database greatly!

The 2008 pics of this rifle were not impressive, - and neither was his description! This rifle is significantly nicer than I thought!

Badger said:
Thank you very much Simson ... :)

Thanks again for all your time and assistance. It's been very helpful and much appreciated. :)

Regards,
Doug
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SimsonSuhl said:
No problem, - I appreciate the effort you have taken to document these rifles and it does further my database greatly!

The 2008 pics of this rifle were not impressive, - and neither was his description! This rifle is significantly nicer than I thought!
Click to expand...

By the way, I have a few more of the rifles that came out of his 10 year old collection, which he got from another very old collector, who apparently had them for decades longer. I bought them after making direct contact and after getting a lots more pics, because yes, what I had seen from various sale sites was minimal and tough to make a call from.

I'll get the rest of the collection done and posted for you... ;)

Regards,
Doug
 
Doug, is your hand guard WaA63 marked on the top? Great, extensive photos by the way.
 
Gerard said:
Doug, is your hand guard WaA63 marked on the top? Great, extensive photos by the way.
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Thanks ... :thumbsup:

I didn't see anything on the top when I first took the pics, but I'll have to check next time I'm in the vault. I believe it just had the serial numbers stamped into the wood on the underside.

(Click PIC to Enlarger)(Click PIC to Enlarger)

Regards,
Doug
 
Badger said:
I don't remember seeing that, but I'll go have a look next time I'm in the vault ... :thumbsup:

Is that a Wiemar era eagle, or a Third Reich period WaffenAmt?

Regards,
Doug
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Weimar style waa63, like is on the stock
 
Ok, went to tha vault and hauled it out for a look ...

After going up and down the hand-guard top for 10 minutes with a lighted glass, I don't see anything obvious except a lot of wear and tear scratches and dents etc.

I did finally settle on an area on the top about mid way from the ends, where if I look really closely, I might be seeing the one part of a "wing", but then it could just be a scratch making my imagination run loose so it appears to be what I'm looking for.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help or more definitive ...

Regards,
Doug
 
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