Neat mismatched gew98m

[bnz41john]

Picked this up online recently and was surprised how neat it was when I got it in my hands.

It is almost completely mismatched save for the trigger and sight parts, but is comprised of some neat parts. Found out this is most likely an Albanian import which explains the import mark, overall condition, and mixed serials (thanks for pointing that out Chris!).

Looks to have a legit S28 stock on it with an interesting two piece butt, dovetailed together. Which is the reason I initially bought the rifle (I have a s28 project action that was rebuilt as a 98m). But once I got it in hand I noticed the front sight base was grooved for a sighthood! I have never personally seen this on a 98m or 98b style rifle. The original sight hood I put on the rifle fits nice and tight. As a bonus it has a really neat rear sight ramp, and a cool e/81 s.S patronen front sight blade!

Definitley not the nicest 98m around but this is my first "complete" one, and I'm quite happy with it! Any insights or critiques appreciated!



P.S. also like to thank Chris for the tons of info he's given me on this rifle already, I know some about k98ks but anything earlier in design I'm a absolute novice on.

 

[bnz41john]

Some more photos!

 

[biggymu]

Nice find. An S28 stock is one rare piece.

 

[Gerst]

I did not know that 98m rifles had bent bolts and side-slings with pass-through in the stock. It looks like a 98b.

i have a 98m with a straight bolt and a grooved stock and bottom sling configuration.

 

[bnz41john]

I did not know that 98m rifles had bent bolts and side-slings with pass-through in the stock. It looks like a 98b.

i have a 98m with a straight bolt and a grooved stock and bottom sling configuration.

You are 100% correct. However this rifle has a mismatched stock on it from a s28. Which from my understanding is essentially just a 98b. When I bought the rifle it had a vz24 bolt body in it, so I swapped it out for a early 98k bolt to give it a k98b look. But the barreled action is a 98m.

 

[Gerst]

You are 100% correct. However this rifle has a mismatched stock on it from a s28. Which from my understanding is essentially just a 98b. When I bought the rifle it had a vz24 bolt body in it, so I swapped it out for a early 98k bolt to give it a k98b look. But the barreled action is a 98m.

So it’s a 98b wannabe!

That stock is valuable.

 

[chrisftk]

Thanks for the extra pics Jack! Great find!

 

[Fal Grunt]

Very neat indeed! I like the mix master g98m's, they usually have some interesting parts on them.

Who knows how these got to Albania? Spain? Shipped before the war? During? Post?

 

[AndyB]

4.Eskadron from Reiter Regiment nr.14 was stationed in Schleswig, it could be the arms were used in additional units and ended in area of Balkan.

 

[PrayingMantis]

That is an awesome stock! Great find. I had a few S28 project rifles years ago, wish i'd have hung on to them, they are fascinating pieces.

 

[Telperion]

I think it's interesting that the barreled receiver got a new rear sight sleeve and even retained its original long barrel as late as '41 or probably even later.
The stock is cool indeed; an ex-imperial one, two-piece butt variation, arranged for the S28.

Very nice find!

 

[Loewe]

Very interesting stock... possibly more interesting is this connection.

 

[Loewe]

JS update

 

[Loewe]

It would be something to mate up this stock with that barreled receiver.

 

[Telperion]

Of course, that would be something ...! Do we know where all this stuff has gone??

 

[bnz41john]

Holy hell! That is so damn cool. Somebody has to have that rifle somewhere.

 

[Loewe]

Marion Mericle lived in Georgia, a gun dealers that frequented Atlanta shows, he use to do reports on rifles that crossed his hands; this was 20-30 years ago and he was not a young man then, he had 10-15 years on me is my guess and as an old fart now, the odds are good someone else possesses this barreled receiver.

Still this represents the closest potential mating possibility I have seen in 40 years of collecting (only 20-30 as a researcher); Marion didn't do email but I have his address that I will pm you tomorrow (gotta dig it out); maybe he is still with us and at least give you a lead.

Longshot or not this is the closest opportunity I can remember with potential of a pay-off! Honestly, I can't remember anything this promising, - potentially (If you could mate these together and be assured these were originally together once, it would be the most remarkable thing I've seen in the hobby ever!)

 

[bnz41john]

Marion Mericle lived in Georgia, a gun dealers that frequented Atlanta shows, he use to do reports on rifles that crossed his hands; this was 20-30 years ago and he was not a young man then, he had 10-15 years on me is my guess and as an old fart now, the odds are good someone else possesses this barreled receiver.

Still this represents the closest potential mating possibility I have seen in 40 years of collecting (only 20-30 as a researcher); Marion didn't do email but I have his address that I will pm you tomorrow (gotta dig it out); maybe he is still with us and at least give you a lead.

Longshot or not this is the closest opportunity I can remember with potential of a pay-off! Honestly, I can't remember anything this promising, - potentially (If you could mate these together and be assured these were originally together once, it would be the most remarkable thing I've seen in the hobby ever!)

If you can give me his address I will definitely try and contact him! Really appreciate your dedication to the hobby, or else I would have never known that this matching barraled action made it to the states. I assumed it was long since destroyed or in a cave in Albania haha

 

[Loewe]

I wanted to send this directly but can't figure out how to send a private contact or message to you; as of 2010 his business address was:

Mericle's Historical Military Surplus Firearms
557 King Bostick Rd.
Covington, GA. 30016

Ph. 770-786-7835

It's been 15 years but I hope this helps!

 

[Telperion]

So if there are some more S28 stocks out there: I am searching for 4347 a and 301 b; maybe times are fortunate ... (just asking ...)