coltgrabber said:Here is one of my rifles with data. I would appreciate comments, good or bad, on your thoughts.
The stock is laminated with remaining markings mostly worn down, however both pieces have numbers inside the barrel channel matching the rifle. There is an “H” barely discernible on the lower right side of the butt. There appears to be a surface, hairline crack on the upper right wrist area that doesn’t go through the wood and is only visible through an extremely close inspection. The butt plate is cupped. There is a sight hood, unmarked cleaning rod, and a reproduction Mauser leather sling. The remaining blued finish is mostly present with age patina and the barrel has a bright, shiny bore with no pitting or corrosion. There are no markings that reflect an import.
The full serial number 3706a, the last two numbers 06, and/or the Nazi Eagle Code 280/37 are located on the:
• Receiver Top: 3706a
• Receiver Right Side: Nazi Eagle Code 280
• Barrel Left Side: 3706a and Nazi Eagle #280 right side
• Barrel Right Side Below Rear Sight: Nazi Eagle #280
• Bolt Handle: 3706a and Nazi Eagle #280 on bottom
• Extractor: 06
• Magazine: Follower 06 and Nazi Eagle #280
• Safety: 06
• Cocking Piece: 06 and Nazi Eagle #37
• Firing Pin: 3706
• Bolt Release: 06
• Butt Plate: 3706a
• Stock Upper and Lower: 3706a Matching
• Stock Exterior: No markings visible except for faint “H” denoting Army
• Stock Disc: Code #280 Not visible
• Recoil Lug Disc: Nazi Eagle #280
• Floor Plate Milled: 3706a and Nazi Eagle Code 280
• Floor Plate Base Milled: 3706a and Nazi Eagle Code 280
• Trigger Guard Large Screws: 06
• Rear Sight Ladder: 06
• Rear Sight Slide: 06
• Rear Sight Base: Nazi Eagle #280
• Upper Milled Band: 3706a and Nazi Eagle #280 on right side
• Lower Milled Band: 3706a and Nazi Eagle #280 on right side
• Bayonet Lug Mount: 06 and Nazi Eagle #280 on right side
• Front Sight Base: Nazi Eagle Code #37
There are no markings on the cleaning rod or band spring but none are listed in the reference book, “Backbone of the Wehrmacht”, by Richard D. Law.
coltgrabber said:Thanks for all the input guys! It’s now a moot point, however, since someone from another site made me an offer to buy I couldn’t refuse. Won’t say how much but it was considerably north of 2 K. I hadn’t planned on selling the rifle but the buyer said this was the nicest AX 41 he had seen in a while. Thanks again!
coltgrabber said:First off, a couple of comments from folks off this forum doesn't mean that there is anything wrong with the bolt on this rifle. I appreciate the input but a few negative remarks based upon a few photos doesn't automatically put my rifle into a suspect category. I also resent the insinuation from you that I would knowingly sell a rifle with "problems". At 75 this isn't my first rodeo nor does anyone being a member of this forum automatically make them an "expert"! This isn't the buyers first rodeo either and from our conversations probably knows at least as much as anyone else on this forum about K98k Mousers. He disagreed with the comments on this thread and is ecstatic about being able to own it. That's all that's necessary! The issue is closed as far as I'm concerned.
What a mess.