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K98a Markings and Value

Navy87Guy

Navy87Guy

Well-known member
I'm looking at a K98a and I wanted to get some more info since they don't seem to come up for discussion very often!

First, where would the markings be for the date and manufacturer? Are they on the top of the receiver, like on my K98k? Are there specific areas to look for indications of a rebuild? (The left side of the receiver is marked "K98", so I'm assuming this is original and not a Gew98 conversion.) Any other "areas of interest"? I want to ask the seller to take some additional pictures for me, but I want to make sure I ask him to photograph the right places on the rifle!

Second, what's a decent value range for a K98a? For reference, this one seems to be a real mix master with the butt plate and safety being about the only parts that match! Overall it appears to be in decent shape - but the photos aren't great. I can't see if there is a cleaning rod (another question for the seller). I don't want to overpay - at least not by too much. ;)

I know that's not a ton to go on, so I appreciate any insights you can provide with the info available!

Thanks!!
 
Jim,

Glad to see you hopped onto the k98 forum. Feel free to PM anytime if you have a quick question or want an honest opinion.

To answer your questions. The maker and year will be displayed at the top of the receiver. A depot number stamping will be on the butt plate, typically 1-16, and some of the serial numbers will be “crossed out” and the serial number on the receiver will be stamped above or below it (depending on the part).

One thing to be wary of is cracks in the stock around the rear tang and the buttplate.

As for value, that Varys from person to person. Without seeing pics a standard mix master I would say is around $700-$1000 for a good shooter. The biggest thing is making sure all the parts are there and making sure the firing pin isn’t clipped.

Regards,
Connor
 
Navy87Guy said:
I'm looking at a K98a and I wanted to get some more info since they don't seem to come up for discussion very often!
Click to expand...
My biggest suggestion is to check the reference section here. Many examples catalogued and photographed for comparison. One thing I noticed with sellers is that they often times take a million pictures but don't actually capture anything useful. The more seasoned guys here typically have a good selection of shots that will tell you everything you need to know about the rifle in a dozen or two photos.

The reference section for 98a is here:
www.k98kforum.com

Imperial Picture Reference Index- Rifles and Accessories

Modell 98 Gewehr 98 Amberg 1903 7700 https://www.k98kforum.com/threads/amberg-1903.50699/ 1903 7865a https://www.k98kforum.com/showthread.php?9251-1903-Amberg-Gew-98 1904 562 https://www.k98kforum.com/showthread.php?11374-1904-Amberg-Gew-98 1905 7714b...
www.k98kforum.com www.k98kforum.com

If there's anything else you need to hand with after you get pictures feel free to ask.
 
cj556 said:
If the rifle in question is marked K98 on the side rail vs Kar 98, I’d wager it’s a Polish example used in the Spanish Civil War. Is there anything on the receiver ring? Typically these ex Spanish guns had the top receiver markings scrubbed.
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Good point Marc, my brain autocorrected the "k98" he put. Another quick way to tell Polish too is the weird stacking hook they used with the squared off base, a pic (or ideally pics) would confirm that pretty quickly.
 
chrisftk said:
Good point Marc, my brain autocorrected the "k98" he put. Another quick way to tell Polish too is the weird stacking hook they used with the squared off base, a pic (or ideally pics) would confirm that pretty quickly.
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Like this one?

59839DBF-3E52-4C04-AD7E-EDCE8ACA6C15.jpeg

@cj556 - I’ve asked the seller for a picture of the top of the receiver…but I think you’re on to something!

Thanks, guys!
 
OzzMan said:
The polish aren’t the most collectible. But they make great shooters!
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I'm more interested in the history. I'm specifically building my collection of WW II guns -- and preferably examples that were actually (probably) used in the war. I'll probably branch out into WW I as well (which is why I was considering a 98a) but if it was a contract gun that went somewhere like Spain, that kind of dampens my enthusiasm. I'll see if the seller sends me a photo of the top of the receiver, but I'm likely going to pass on this one.

I got my 98k from the same seller - and he doesn't really seem to know a lot about the guns he's selling. That one was advertised as an M98 - but it turned out to be a 1943 98k from Gustloff-Werke with mostly matching parts. He's advertising this one as a 98k - which it clearly isn't. Not malicious - just uninformed!

Thanks for all the help!
 
chrisftk said:
Just depends on what you collect. I'm sure Mark/ Krukster would love one. Lol.
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Shots fired Chris!

Reading between the lines, it suggests that OP is looking at a SCW scrubbed Polish K98 with no markings other than the serial and the “K98” on the siderail. They are great shooters but not super super collectible (and quite common to be honest). For comparisons sake, I would equate them to Russian Capture K98k’s. Sure having a RC as a placeholder representative example is great, but what you really want is an all matching GI bringback K98k (or in the K98 case, a Polish crested example that isn’t scrubbed or reworked).
 
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Jim,

Here is an example of a Polish K98. Things to note that make it different from an imperial German Kar98a:

- Sling bar in the buttstock rather than a “through hole”
- Beechwood stock and handguard with dark circles (hardwood dowels)
- Squared stacking hook (covered above by others)
- Triggerguard screw and lock screw placement
- Undersling swivels (Kar.98a has none)
- If it is Polish crested, it would have PFK Warszawa or FB Radom, an eagle, and below that the year of manufacture. SCW scrubbed examples will be completely blank save for the serial number and a tiny 7.91 on the top of the receiver.


www.k98kforum.com

1927 PFK Warszawa Kbk Wzór 1898

(NOTE: This rifle was already shared on GunBoards a year ago, but I figure it would be a good first post for me on this forum) I had been on the hunt for a Polish eagle crested Mauser for quite a number of years now, in a way to celebrate my Polish heritage. While they are somewhat rare, they...
www.k98kforum.com www.k98kforum.com
 
krukster86 said:
Shots fired Chris!
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Haha, couldn't resist. I know you are our resident Polish collector.

Kidding aside, Polish stuff is great, though I've generally not been sucked in. I do agree these SCW rifles are good from a shooter or new collector standpoint, but generally aren't something one treasures in their collection. I bought one many years ago for about $200 and kept it long enough to shoot, then traded it off for something German.
 
@krukster86 - Thanks for the info...it's excellent. I will wait to see if I get any photos of the receiver. My wife's family is Polish and I could probably get a "freebie" if I bought a rifle with a full Polish eagle! 😀 If it's a scrubbed SCW version, then I'll probably pass.
 
there are plenty of kar98a or az's if you like for sale. I saw a few recently sell on GB some what reasonable. They tend to be a little lighter on price than a kar98k in same condition. Even though they are much harder to find. Erfurt and Danzig are the two Arsenals that made them in WW1. Danzig was pretty much gifted to Poland and that factory then the Polish version were put into production.
 
@mauser99 - Thanks - I love the history!

This is an auction, so I'll keep an eye on it. I got my K98k from him for $700 and a Beretta M1934 for $400. I think the fact that he doesn't do a very good job of photographing and documenting the items keeps the prices down. Not that I'm complaining!! ;)
 
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