Odd Ball K98k Mauser

[Natek98]

So, I recently picked up my very first K98K Mauser, I am extremely blessed to have a piece of history, However my understanding of this particular rifle has not been easy to find out about.

I am going to attach some photo's of this rifle, In the search to learn more about why it has such few markings, And a single digit serial number.

After searching online a found a few threads about this odd Circled A marking. The circle A seems to be intended as some kind of fireproof/acceptance. The question is "Who stamped it?" And "Who used it?" Whoever used it, it seems to have been captured by the Russians either during or after the war. If anyone would like to chime in, It would be greatly appreciated.

 

[CanadianAR]

As it's all mixed up markings on most parts are irrelevant.
Can you take the action out of the wood and see about other barrel markings and receiver markings on the right side and anything below the wood. Perhaps more can be told.

 

[mrfarb]

Yes, we need the barrel code markings. Even as an RC this is an interesting rifle.


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[bruce98k]

Circle A rifle

Yes, take the action out of the stock and shoot an image of the barrel code.
We can use this data for the BLM chapter.

Thanks,
Bruce

 

[John Strunk]

100% agree.

This might be the first circle A, uncovered without any receiver markings. However, with SN 7, perhaps the early circle A's utilized blank receivers. The fact that it's a RC would also support that this might have been a combat issue weapon.

As it's all mixed up markings on most parts are irrelevant.
Can you take the action out of the wood and see about other barrel markings and receiver markings on the right side and anything below the wood. Perhaps more can be told.

 

[Natek98]

Yes, take the action out of the stock and shoot an image of the barrel code.
We can use this data for the BLM chapter.

Thanks,
Bruce

Thank all of you for getting back to me, I took the furniture off the rifle, The barrel flipped upside down had these under the receiver. Can't find any other codes on the barrel.


22467D

&

258

Also some smaller markings near the magazine well.

Nate

 

[Natek98]

Found this near the underside near the back of the stock i assume this is a Tula marking?

 

[bruce98k]

BLM reject assembly

Thanks for the data.
The barrel code is likely from 1936 and the action was assembled by BLM based on the
unique receiver process number stamped on the lower front lip.

This is the earliest 'Circle A' rifle (action) yet reported and fits right in with the rest of
the scrubbed variants, with this being the earliest barrel code logged for this series of K98ks.

I believe that these evolved into the non-scrubbed version concurrent with military acceptance and standard proof firing marking (Nazi eagle).

Every bit of data helps here.

Thanks,
Bruce

 

[Natek98]

Thanks for the data.
The barrel code is likely from 1936 and the action was assembled by BLM based on the
unique receiver process number stamped on the lower front lip.

This is the earliest 'Circle A' rifle (action) yet reported and fits right in with the rest of
the scrubbed variants, with this being the earliest barrel code logged for this series of K98ks.

I believe that these evolved into the non-scrubbed version concurrent with military acceptance and standard proof firing marking (Nazi eagle).

Every bit of data helps here.

Thanks,
Bruce

I appreciate this information, would such rifle like I have here of seen battle? Or used for training purposes only. Is it safe to shoot the rifle i am about to start cleaning all the cosmeline off it. Any range of what this rifle might be worth, just trying to gather as much information as I can.

Thank you all.

Nate

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[Stephan98k]

The fact that it's a RC would also support that this might have been a combat issue weapon.

Natek98 said "Whoever used it, it seems to have been captured by the Russians either during or after the war." and I agree with him. The Russians occupied Germany, maybe they captured this rifle at the front line, but it also could be captured after the war from a training unit, depot etc. The fact a K98k is a RC, doesn't mean the rifle is a combat issue weapon. Nevertheless, in my opinion the possibility is very high the Circle A rifles was in service. Just think about the weapons which was used in the Deutscher Volkssturm as example captured weapons like the Carcanos, Stey-Mannlicher M-95, Gewehr 98, Karabiner 98a and 98b, even the Gewehr 88. They needed every weapon.

@NateK98 - I can't tell you a range of what this rifle might be worth. My advice is, don't sell it easily in the next time and look what the near future brings on informations in the specialist literature. With new informations the price could climb up a lot.

By the way, you don't show the right side of the receiver ring. Is the right sight scrubbed or is there also a Circle A stamp?

 

[Natek98]

By the way, you don't show the right side of the receiver ring. Is the right sight scrubbed or is there also a Circle A stamp?

If you are talking about the other side of the reciever, It is scrubbed. The only other markings i can find on the barrel is the single serial "7" once more halfway up the barrel.

 

[John Strunk]

Given that your Circle A, has potentially an early receiver which failed the grading process prior to any military acceptance and standard proof firing marking being applied and remained blank I, myself would not fire it. Other's here may disagree, yet no one really knows why the German's failed this receiver. Further, no one actually knows if these Circle A's were actually ever fired or simply issued as training drill weapons.