1942 Brünn made 98 action hunting rifle

[Absolut]

Did anyone else here see a 98 (small ring) action made by "Waffenwerke Brünn Aktiengesellschaft" in 1942 before?

I just bought a Stutzen produced by this company in 7x57 caliber mainly for the Zielacht it came with.

Opinions on this rifle are highly appreciated, maybe you can help me more on the history of it.

 

[UNPROFOR1994]

I found some (almost) identical rifles in a few threads on other forums:

http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?26764-Information-on-Mauser

http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?369712-Please-help-identify-this-Mauser&highlight=Aktiengesellschaft

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/9446924/all/Looking_for_help_find_info_on_

http://www.icollector.com/Wartime-Built-BRNO-Model-22F-Rifle-by-CZ_i13827861

Apparently these wartime hunting rifles are quite rare. I wouldn't remove the scope and keep the rifle in it's original configuration.

 

[Absolut]

Well, seems like you're right that I probably shouldn't part the scope from the rifle ... interestingly the scope is 72.xxx block, so a really late one aswell. Could be a hint which serial they were producing in 1942.

I however wonder who bought these rifles, especially with probably what was the best scope available at this time (.. which of course also makes it one of the most expensive ones aswell). Wouldn't someone who had money for an expensive scope also bought an expensive rifle, or even a "proper German made" rifle?

Well, somewhen someone will come and will want to have this rifle in his collection .. and then I can sell it for more than I bought it. But for the moment it will stay with me.

 

[UNPROFOR1994]

I however wonder who bought these rifles, especially with probably what was the best scope available at this time (.. which of course also makes it one of the most expensive ones aswell). Wouldn't someone who had money for an expensive scope also bought an expensive rifle, or even a "proper German made" rifle?

The most accepted theory about these rifles is that they were made as presentation rifles (gifts) for nazi party members, high ranking officers, captains of industry or diplomats and weren't sold commercially.
In my non-expert opinion this theory could be correct. After all Waffenwerke Brünn A.G. was under the control of Reichswerke A.G. (für Waffen- und Maschinenbau) Hermann Göring from 1938 untill the end of the war. It could also explain the expensive scope on you rifle.

 

[Absolut]

Well, this might be an idea to ask the seller (a German gun dealer) if he has any more information on the background of the previous owner. To me it seems like it came from the estate of a hunter, since he sold a few other rifles aswell (but no military ones among them).
I wonder whether the ones in the links you posted did get any history on them, like if they were captured in the field, or seized somewhere else.

I'll post a few more pictures when I have it, but I'm afraid that will be after my holiday in August.

 

[Absolut]

It's now August, so time for the pictures - looking forward to comments!

 

[jbmauser]

Sorry, I know nothing about the history of these but that is a fantastic looking rifle!

 

[UNPROFOR1994]

It looks great! In my opinion a very interesting and somewhat mysterious piece of WW2 history. Did the dealer get some more information from the seller?

 

[vaughn99]

Hello,

If you can would you post pictures of the Zeiss Zielacht serial!!!??

thanks
vaughn

 

[Absolut]

I do not have the rifle here, but it's in the high 72.XXX area if my memory serves me right.