Kar98k "Circle A" proofs, anybody know anything about this gun?
- Thread starter nw00738
- Start date
I have shamelessly stolen this Norge 98 pic from GB. IMO, it looks a little different (smaller), but there could be variations. I'm not that interested in the Norwegian guns and know little about them.
It is purportedly the mark of Kongsberg inspector Hardy Ahlgren.
It is purportedly the mark of Kongsberg inspector Hardy Ahlgren.
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nw00738
Member
I have the owners service Info
He enlisted in the Army on 30 Nov 1943 in Los Angeles, CA and separated on 25 Mar 1946 at Camp Beale, California. He was a truck driver in the 413th Armored Field Artillery Battalion, a unit of the 20th Armored Division. His rank at separation was Private. The following link gives a detailed history of the 20th Armored Division, including their combat history, commanders, units, and dates and locations in France and Germany from the time they entered Europe until their departure. http://www.history.army.mil/documents/eto-ob/20AD-ETO.htm His record also says he participated in the Battle of the Rhineland beginning 24 Apr 1945 and concluding 8 days later. Her father was born 21 Mar 1911 and died 12 Mar 1991. He picked up the rifle near the end of his deployment.
He enlisted in the Army on 30 Nov 1943 in Los Angeles, CA and separated on 25 Mar 1946 at Camp Beale, California. He was a truck driver in the 413th Armored Field Artillery Battalion, a unit of the 20th Armored Division. His rank at separation was Private. The following link gives a detailed history of the 20th Armored Division, including their combat history, commanders, units, and dates and locations in France and Germany from the time they entered Europe until their departure. http://www.history.army.mil/documents/eto-ob/20AD-ETO.htm His record also says he participated in the Battle of the Rhineland beginning 24 Apr 1945 and concluding 8 days later. Her father was born 21 Mar 1911 and died 12 Mar 1991. He picked up the rifle near the end of his deployment.
S/42
Thunda from down unda
I have a k98, RC that I bought when they first came out years ago, maybe 97 or so. It was a scrubbed 237 1938, and it had an SS-2 marked on the barrel in front of the serial number. It had circle in A next to both serial numbers, and also some on the bottom of the receiver. I bought this at a gun store that specialized in AK/AR type guns, and they used to sell C and R guns for pretty cheap. It still has the price tag, a whopping $149.00 plus tax in those days. I must have it in the attic since I don't find it on the gun rack. Posted pictures years back on Gunboards, but no one then seemed to have a clue either. I will get up to the attic later and see if I can drag this K98 out. At the shop also picked up a BSW with serial number 38 from 1938 if I can remember correctly. I will see if I can dig out that k98.
Digging up a very old post I know, but I thought it would be better to keep relevant information in 1 spot rather than start a new thread.
I just acquired one of these "circle A" mausers. serial #1017, no import marks, no indication of RC. I saw it, didn't have a clue what it was and figured I better buy it.
Mine only has circle "A"s on the barrel and receiver. Barrel underside has a "K", the circle "A" and 38R60, top is marked 7.92
The full serial is located on the barrel, receiver, trigger housing, floorplate, butt plate, sight base, sight, and the bands.
Floorplate is standard in appearance
The last 2 numbers are located on the bolt release, sight slide, follower, and screws
Front and rear sight bases have a "K" where a waa would normally be.
trigger has a waa 655
Bolt doesn't match and is waa280.
Stock is walnut, handguard is marked 1011 inside, the 10 is well struck, the 11 is very lightly stuck.
I just acquired one of these "circle A" mausers. serial #1017, no import marks, no indication of RC. I saw it, didn't have a clue what it was and figured I better buy it.
Mine only has circle "A"s on the barrel and receiver. Barrel underside has a "K", the circle "A" and 38R60, top is marked 7.92
The full serial is located on the barrel, receiver, trigger housing, floorplate, butt plate, sight base, sight, and the bands.
Floorplate is standard in appearance
The last 2 numbers are located on the bolt release, sight slide, follower, and screws
Front and rear sight bases have a "K" where a waa would normally be.
trigger has a waa 655
Bolt doesn't match and is waa280.
Stock is walnut, handguard is marked 1011 inside, the 10 is well struck, the 11 is very lightly stuck.
UNPROFOR1994
Well-known member
The letter A in a circle is also a post WW1 Austrian Army property mark. Maybe there is an Austrian connection?
John Strunk
Senior Member
Strafbattalion Rifles
These rifles were all made with rejected parts, and would not have been used in combat by the Wehrmacht. The SS would also have had problems with providing there units with rifles which were totally made up of rejected parts. Yet, it appears the bulk of these circle A rifles are RC and combat rifles. The only German combat units which would be issued basically rejected rifles were Strafbattalions, aka, Penal Battalions. Although there is little history remaining concerning these units, all facts gathered suggests they were very poorly armored.
These rifles were all made with rejected parts, and would not have been used in combat by the Wehrmacht. The SS would also have had problems with providing there units with rifles which were totally made up of rejected parts. Yet, it appears the bulk of these circle A rifles are RC and combat rifles. The only German combat units which would be issued basically rejected rifles were Strafbattalions, aka, Penal Battalions. Although there is little history remaining concerning these units, all facts gathered suggests they were very poorly armored.
I finally dug my rifle out of the attic! It is also a Berlin Lubecker rifle scrubbed, 1938 still in ghost on top of receiver. As you can see from the price I bought this one when they barely started bringing in the RC K98's. The gun store was a mini distributor for Century and usually got in fifty to a hundred a clip. Century would write code on end of box, and I was on the in's w/ the owner. He would let me go through them and pick my favorites before they went to outside rack. Checking by the serial number on the other 237, it seems all of these were made around the same time. The numbers are quite close.
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Posted this rifle before, and now sold it, but just for reference in this thread for serial number
Yes, I've been having fun trying to figure it out. The "reject" world is new to me but it has been some interesting research. Funny how often the Lubecks are involved. I'm baffled by that cleaning rod too
Phil
