Looking for input as to what this gun is & how it likely developed

[MSB629]

Hi all, would love input/ thoughts regarding how this Gewer 98 receiver (mismatched & polished) came to be a K98k

 

[Loewe]

I would argue that it isn't 98k either.... for even good guesses, needless to say knowledgeable answers you need to show the bits in some detail, for the barrel and stock alone show this probably an assembly of parts, best case it is some SCW creation. Even the Poles weren't this "slipshod"

 

[MSB629]

I would argue that it isn't 98k either.... for even good guesses, needless to say knowledgeable answers you need to show the bits in some detail, for the barrel and stock alone show this probably an assembly of parts, best case it is some SCW creation. Even the Poles weren't this "slipshod"

Everything I've read the Poles built some quality arms.

I agree that this is a 'Frankenstein' piece. The handguard seems to come off a Kar98a. The barrel & rear sight are the only parts which the numbers match. Also the barrel appears to be put on by Bubba with a monkey wrench - after downing a bit too much moonshine. I'll post some pics of the barrel & reciever.

Having a problem with picture being too large to post

 

[MSB629]

 

[MSB629]

Here's one - one. Think an armory can be ruled out. The barrel does match the sight tho

 

[MSB629]

If you'd like more pics LMK (I could use the practice).

Given that it's a cobbled together facsimile of a K98k does it warrent bluing the polished parts?

Regardless I appreciate all of the input.

 

[Muncher 1953]

the barrel looks longer than 600mm/23-5/8”.(as measured down the bore, closed bolt) both sights are not K98k style, and the lower band is on backwards, sling loop belongs on the left side, to go w/the sling bar on the butt. as info, the French used a very similar style sling bar on their reused K98ks. Then there’s the whole issue of short hand guard vs long one & presence of the retaing lip on the rear sight base……..

 

[MSB629]

I measured the barrel. It's 23" from the muzzle to the reciever. I was wondering when I'd hear about the front sling! Did that @ 3 am & got stupid.

The Swiss also use the same system regarding their sling mount. From looking at pics I believe the handguard is from a Kar98a. I'm not seeing a retaining lip on the of the rear sight.

This thing is starting to be more of a 'Frankenstein' than I thought. Good catch on the front sight! What tipped you off on the rear sight? If it were off a K98k it would have a retaining lip in the front. Are the parts you identified as non-k98k, German?

Appreciate all your feedback. The knowledge of K98k's is second to none. If you have any other feedback I'd appreciate it. Thank you

 

[MSB629]

I was wondering when I'd hear about the front sling! Did that @ 3 am & got stupid.

You jogged my memory regarding sling mounts. The stock also appears to have at one time had a mount for the sling to run underneath as well. The Swiss also use the same system regarding their sling mount. From looking at pics I believe the handguard from the Kar98a.

This thing is starting to be more of a 'Frankenstein' than I thought. God catch on the front sight! What tipped you off on the rear sight?

 

[MSB629]

I was wondering when I'd hear about the front sling! Did that @ 3 am & got stupid.

You jogged my memory regarding sling mounts. The stock also appears to have at one time had a mount for the sling to run underneath as well. The Swiss also use the same system regarding their sling mount. From looking at pics I believe the handguard from the Kar98a.

This thing is starting to be more of a 'Frankenstein' than I thought. God catch on the front sight! What tipped you off on the rear sight?

 

[Muncher 1953]

the ears on the front are distinctive, and both the shape of the rear ladder (where the v notch is) and the lack of front lip on the base. if you took the hand guard off, you’d see a relief in the barrel channel for the spring clip that holds the hg on.
a previous thread on a similar rifle here-

1918 Danzig K98a 1920 marked

I won this rifle at auction recently for a steal. It's all matching but the bolt, which is scrubbed. I can tell it's probably a Weimar rebuild from the 4 digit serial number on the front band and the stock being the wrong style than what was used in 1918. Any idea why this bolt was scrubbed? It...

www.k98kforum.com

and this shows what I meant about the hand guard retaining lip on the FRONT of the rear sight sleeve

Google Image Result for https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTYwMFgxMTk3/z/zoIAAOSwKDpioMkn/$_57.JPG?set_id=880000500F

so i think your frankenmauser has a Kar98a barrel, both sights look like that style

 

[MSB629]

the ears on the front are distinctive, and both the shape of the rear ladder (where the v notch is) and the lack of front lip on the base. if you took the hand guard off, you’d see a relief in the barrel channel for the spring clip that holds the hg on.
a previous thread on a similar rifle here-

1918 Danzig K98a 1920 marked

I won this rifle at auction recently for a steal. It's all matching but the bolt, which is scrubbed. I can tell it's probably a Weimar rebuild from the 4 digit serial number on the front band and the stock being the wrong style than what was used in 1918. Any idea why this bolt was scrubbed? It...

www.k98kforum.com

and this shows what I meant about the hand guard retaining lip on the FRONT of the rear sight sleeve

Google Image Result for https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTYwMFgxMTk3/z/zoIAAOSwKDpioMkn/$_57.JPG?set_id=880000500F

so i think your frankenmauser has a Kar98a barrel, both sights look like that style

Thank you, I appreciate all of your input. I've learned more about that rifle in 2 days than I have in all the years I've had it. This I why I joined this forum.

 

[MSB629]

Thank you, I appreciate all of your input. I've learned more about that rifle in 2 days than I have in all the years I've had it. This I why I joined this forum.

Had some time to read some of the threads in the link you provided. It's a goldmine of information for me & my Frankenmauser - many thanks!

 

[Loewe]

Everything I've read the Poles built some quality arms.

I agree that this is a 'Frankenstein' piece. The handguard seems to come off a Kar98a. The barrel & rear sight are the only parts which the numbers match. Also the barrel appears to be put on by Bubba with a monkey wrench - after downing a bit too much moonshine. I'll post some pics of the barrel & reciever.

Having a problem with picture being too large to post

Of course the Poles did fine arms, but they were cheap and reused everything (just not this recklessly), like the Germans during the Republic (on arms anyway... they wasted money on social issues like the SPD always does... then as now Germans prefer socialism and they are the only ones that had a record of making it work, at least when Germany was rather homogenous... minor differences apart between southern and northern Germany.); the parts are probably Polish n origin (barrel) but the quality suggest SCW (Spain) and probably molestations further by the importer and prior owners. Maybe the parts are worth something but collectively worth next to nothing, I wouldn't even fire it...

 

[MSB629]

I'm thinking now the one thing it's good for is shooting. It's definately had its share of action. Starting as a Gewer 98 & cobbled together into something resembling a Kar98a.

I am curious as to what you see which identifies it as Polish or Spanish?

I've learned more about that rifle in the past 2 days than I ever knew about in the years I've owned it

I appreciate your input - thanks

 

[Loewe]

The barrel markings, so far shown suggest Polish, not German anyway... could be other possibilities I guess, one of my specialties is German barrels 1898-1945 and this is not a German barrel, -I follow Polish rifles too, have for two decades, but not one of my specialties. Polish is my guess based upon limited pictures (and the 98a "type" which had Polish variant); That and the fact German and Polish arms were mainstays in the SCW and this mess is not that unusual for rifles that made their way to the US market.

**mess meaning the contradictory parts, if it works for you pardon the slight, I can be thoughtless late at night.

 

[MSB629]

I knew this rifle was made from a variety of parts. What I didn't know was just how much of a frankenmauser it is.

I didn't know the Germans had produced barrels in Poland - do you know the plant? I'm familiar with Radom thru studying & eventually buying a VIS 35 produced in Radom Poland. Are there specific markings which identify the barrel as being produced in Poland?
Thanks for your input

 

[MSB629]

I do have pics of most/all markings on the barrel. I'd be happy to post them if they would help confirm where it it was made

 

[Muncher 1953]

I do have pics of most/all markings on the barrel. I'd be happy to post them if they would help confirm where it it was made

yes please.
after the occupation of Poland, most of the output from Radom went to Steyr & used in bnz production, ‘e/77’ marked parts.
The Spanish civil war connection: Mausers from across Europe were provided as aid to the fascist forces of Generalissimo Franco. frequently on these rifles, the receiver marks were removed to conceal the sources. as a group, though diverse, the rifles exhibit some characteristics that identify them as SCW rifles. contrasted to rifles MANUFACTURED by Spain post civil war which are distinctly different. SCW rifles are their own field of study, similar to depot built rifles, having specific different features that identify them.
(I’m not an expert on either, so I won’t attempt to list them)

 

[Stan]

Yes, looks like mostly Polish Wz29 parts mounted to a Gew 98M receiver. I would agree with Spain, Interarms, or a previous owner as the likely suspects in its creation!