Third Party Press

What Is It ???

I'd love to see it out of the stock, as well as better pictures of the stamps on the receiver - maybe with natural daylight and not cellar light?

Small comment, since not mentioned before: the "Mod.98" designation on the receiver is offset to the right and not in the middle, as it should be.
 
I am leaning commercial connection.

I think it is cool just the way it is. If you sell it to the wrong person it will acquire some markings or become a parts kit.

Yeah, lots of valuable """armorer's parts""" there, to say nothing of the less savory way those unnumbered parts get used.

edit: it also makes me wonder how many of these came in half a century+ ago but just weren't remarked on, the same way this gun ended up in the back of a safe, and then got parted out in the 80s or 90s by people who wanted to "improve" other rifles.
 
Have another addition: the few commercials documented all tend to have some markings on the barrel, meaning years, steel lot codes, manufacturers, etc. The fact that this barrel on the outside is seemingly absolutely void makes me think more likely post war assembled for a GI rather than a commercial production rifle that was captured pre firing proof. But would need to see the metal under the woodline if truly void of markings.
 
Time permitting I will take it out into natural light. As I said before, after I had my lenses replaced because of cataracts, that were really bad, the ability to focus clearly is adversely affected under artificial light, especially smaller print.
 
Under sunlight there are markings / It is a commercial gun / used white out for numbers / numbers on receiver a so small and so faint you can not read them under magnification.

Small eagle N in front numbers on receiver / numbers on barrel visible w/ white out / no wonder my old eyes could not see them last night
 

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Tried again /// maybe 1192 or 1792 or 1182 or 1192
 

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Nice example! However i am curious, who would have been able to order one of these commercial K98's? Party members/leaders?
I was wondering the same thing. A commercial at that point in the war. How many (or few) were made? Very cool, Dave!!
 
Samples for other commercially proofed K98k rifles:

These are also covered in Vol.III starting page 326.

I think these might not be super rare ("just rare"), but many may just miss the commercial proofs and differences those have to actual service rifles.
 
Samples for other commercially proofed K98k rifles:

These are also covered in Vol.III starting page 326.

I think these might not be super rare ("just rare"), but many may just miss the commercial proofs and differences those have to actual service rifles.
Looks like I really need to find volume 3 and add it too my library.
 
You have to wonder at the Germans allowing these rifles to be built, at a time when weapons of every type, were so badly needed at the front....

I am 48 years late, but belated congratulations on your rare Sauer & Sohn "Commercial"

I know my answer sounds very strange, but the Germans built these "Commercial" rifles because the K98k's were so badly needed at the front.

When I have more time, I could explain the reasons.
 
I am 48 years late, but belated congratulations on your rare Sauer & Sohn "Commercial"

I know my answer sounds very strange, but the Germans built these "Commercial" rifles because the K98k's were so badly needed at the front.

When I have more time, I could explain the reasons.
IMG_3892.jpegIMG_3891.jpeg
I had 3 of these (one a RC that I sold last year).
For the Russians to catch them they must have seen some action. Probably the Volksturm.
 

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