S/243 G-date Mixmaster Questions

[ZenMastaT]

Hi - new to posting here but I was hoping I might get some questions answered. I picked this rifle up at a gunshow last weekend and was wondering what to make of it.

From my limited understanding S/243 is Mauser Borsigwalde, right? And a G-date would be 1935? I found a .pdf file online indicating K98k production started at Borsigwalde in 1935 - would my serial 18XX with no letter indicate it was an early gun?

The gun itself is pretty much a mixmaster. The barrel, front sling band and floor plate match the receiver - so does the checkered front sight but pretty much everything else is random. The bolt matches itself, mostly - except for the cylinder at the very back (not sure what that is called). What I'm kind of wondering is whether a mixmaster like this might be something cobbled together by German armorers during the war or is it more likely parts have been swapped and replaced here in the States? I can't find a visible import mark but the handguard band is on so tight I can't get it off - so there may be an early import mark under there, or maybe it was imported before that.

I love the way fire bluing looks - I didn't even know K98ks had fire blued parts before. Was anything else blued like this originally besides the bolt removal lever?

The stock is not matching either but it does have a big H and some waffenamts and appears to be solid walnut as opposed to laminate, with the flat buttplate.

I'm also curious if the sling that came with it is original. It has the cross-hatched pattern, the buckle is stamped L&F and there appears to be a very faint "OK" stamped on the frog.

I ended up talking the dealer down from $625 to $550 for this thing. Kind of high for a mixmaster but I'm wondering if the overall condition and rarity of the G-code makes that an ok deal. More pictures of the rifle here: http://imgur.com/a/ScHyl#24 I was also able to pick up another K98k sling with Curt Vogel Colibus 1940 stamped on the frog, cross-hatched pattern as well.

The sling was sold as original and appears well worn but I'm wondering if that frog looks like a repro or something since it seems kind of newish looking. Any advice or insight you guys might have would be well appreciated! This is my 3rd K98k and my first non-captured one. I know I still have a lot of learning to do!

 

[Vergeltung]

I'm not knowledgeable enough to say much, except, it looks like a nice rifle man! very clean.

 

[WilliM1940]

Only made 7000 of those or so. I think you stole it, even if it wasn't 100 per cent match. Especially if the bore is as nice as the outside finish. How is the bore? The sling alone is worth a hundred. You bought a rare bird for the price of an RC.

 

[Loewe]

A pretty difficult rifle to find, considering the rarity of the maker-date I think your price was ok, - with what people are paying for rc's it is a screaming bargain.

Yes, it was made by Mauser Berlin in 1935, it is the first block of rifles, so a very early rifle, one of the first made by them, though all S/243G's will be in the first block probably, none are known past the first block. M&B Vol. I might have more data on them but the book isn't handy at the moment. (they are recorded in my database to the 9900 block so they very probably went to the "a" block)

The sling is probably ok, your pictures aren't too great on that, the maker is actually code fuq - Lederwarenwerk Curt Vogel, Cottbus, they are better known for cartridge pouches than slings, but typically these types of firms made a number of items that are related- slings, cartridge pouches, holsters.

Your last question, doubtful whether this mismatching is period rework or not, could be for the smaller parts, but the stock and bolt would have been re-numbered to match if a period replacement. The stock would have depot markings if done at any depot level facility. Of course anything is possible, though generally when it comes to mismatched rifles and collectors, mismatched is mismatched and stories and speculation have little impact on value.

I think you did pretty good overall, considering what lesser rifles are pulling.

 

[ZenMastaT]

Thanks very much for the detailed info everyone - just the type of stuff I was hoping to learn. The bore looks good - not perfect, a little dark but still has shine and the rifling is strong. Sorry about the poor pictures of the sling markings, I was in a little bit of a hurry and couldn't get the light to catch quite right. Glad to hear both slings look genuine. Now my K43 has something nice instead of the brand new looking replacement!