OK so what did I buy?

[damiencain]

Kar 98a. Looks like was possibly bubba'd at some point in its life. Bolt is original and correct but non matching. The stock interests me because it has the side swivels, lower swivel and takedown disc. Amberg 1911 manufacture. Seller indicates it is a cut down GEW 98 stock made to fit the KAR 98. Will take better pics when I receive it. The middle band I believe is WW2 from a 98k. The bayonet lug seems to be set too far back as opposed to a traditional Kar 98a. The flat buttplate is interesting as well. Any info would be appreciated. Bought a few interesting GEW 98 rifles lately that are similar...

 

[Loewe]

It is difficult to say much with these pictures, but you posted elsewhere with more, and from those it looks like this will be a challenging restoration, if that is your goal. Not a bad maker, Amberg's can be tough, but in this condition you would have to find a lot of parts to restore it to a proper condition. The stock is kind of a mess, but i am not sure what information you are after.. if you are asking if this is German military done, then I would say pretty darn unlikely.

Post some good pictures when you get it, might be able to tell more if the pictures are decent, - these are terrible.

 

[damiencain]

Only place

Actually this is the only place I have posted this question. Just won the auction this morning. Didnt really have high hopes for it, was more curious about the originality of the stock to the rifle itself, or more something thrown together to make functional (if at all). I normally find the dog beaters and bring them back to life. Was hoping maybe I had some sleeper weird sneak rifle with some odd configuration thats rarely been seen. I know all the parts started out German. What was ended up with remains to be seen. Will post better pics once I get it..

 

[met]

You actually have a rather uncommon m 98a/37 turk. The Turks refurbished German kar98a rifles to their short rifle configuration in 1937 along with some gew98 and m1903 long rifles.

I inquired of the seller about the stock which is obviously damaged pretty badly on the right side and he related that it was cracked pretty badly around the recoil bolt-and obviously the handguard is missing as well.

Too much fun for me - hope it is in better shape than he thinks. Good luck with it.

Best regards

Marty

 

[damiencain]

Ahhh interesting!

I have seen a 98a Turkish stock for sale as well. That kind of explains some of what it looks like today. Based on the pics you see, does it look sorta complete minus the handguard?

 

[Loewe]

I must have the pictures from the auction then, there were more of them, but the same setting & quality.

Good thing met could identify it for you though!

 

[met]

Other than the missing handguard, a huge chunk of wood along the right receiver and cleaning Rod it looks like it is all there. It appears to me the Turks modified kar98a stocks by shortening and installing standard bands and band springs. So you could theoretically modify a kar98a stock, but that would likely push your Turk investment north of $500. Probably not a wise investment. Hopefully you can repair the existing stock. You will also have to fabricate the handguard. A kar98a handguard with broken tip would be the best starting point as the m98a/37 handguard does not extend past the lower band.

Good luck

 

[damiencain]

Lets just say

For sake of argument, this thing is complete. I know anything Turk seems to command sub 200 to 300 price tags. Is this in the same range or is ti worth a bit more due to its unusual nature? I am not gonna spend more than its worth on it as a restoration piece. May be worth more in parts, but I am willing to give it a go in terms of a restore if it will be worth it in the end. For example I picked up a Kar 98 az with a snapped wrist for 350.00. I fixed it to look as good as new. Totally worth it in every respect. But I am not one to sink 500 into a 200 rifle....

 

[met]

Hard to say what the value will be as even uncommon "refurbed" Turks just don't normally command high values. If the stock is too far gone to repair - then I think you are looking at parts value IMHO.

Best regards

Marty

 

[gew8805]

These Turk modified Kar98a were only available for a short time, there weren't that many imported. To minimize cost, below is a source of excellent reproduction stocks and handguards:

http://fox-military.com/en/stock.php?id_produkt=46

I must say that I have not personally bought from him but we have several people on Gunboards who have purchased from him and, though postage from Europe is fairly high, they have been very pleased with the quality of his work and the time for delivery as well as cost of the product. A personal friend off mine bought one of his 98a stock/hand guard sets and the fit was excellent requiring a minimum of handwork to finish. He also sells some hand guards separately, you will need to sign in to check if they are available.

 

[damiencain]

his stuff is beautiful

But brutally expensive. I may just part it out in the end. Too bad, thought I had a sleeper. I am seeing a polish wz29 handguard on ebay. Safe to assume it isn't long enough for this purpose? Or with some minor fitting may actually work? It indicates 16 inches long. Not sure if that's enough...

 

[met]

Wz29 handguard should extend to the front band and be plenty long enough but being for a large ring receiver may be difficult to adapt

 

[met]

Regarding value, here is what a complete example brought on gunbroker yesterday. You might use these pics for reference if you attempt to fashion a handguard. Sadly I had to drop out at $350. I try to stick with my pre-set limit.
http://m.gunbroker.com/Item/474247187
As in the case of your example - this one also mis-identified, picked up a nice m1903 turk short rifle recently that was misidentified as a more common K kale.

Good luck

Best regards
Marty

 

[damiencain]

mine looks similar really

except the handguard issue and the flat butt plate plus right side of the stock has the same poor scrub attempt. interesting. i bought an "old rusty jap rifle" off gun broker a few years ago that turned out to be an all matching series 25 type 99 concentric circle. you never know...