WTK: any chance of this sniper K98 being WW2 made ? Worth or should be refinished ?

A

ajmdreammg42

Active member
Been collecting military guns for over 30 years. Recently bought a collection which included several German K98's, and about a dozen South American mausers, 6 G/K43's along with some German pistols and a bunch of other guns I have not gone threw yet. Unfortunately the estate I got these from had very poor storage. Mostly in a wet basement or threw out the house with cats everywhere and stuff stacked up like those hoarder shows like you see on TV. This one is in poor shape but want to know if there is any chance for it being a real WW2 sniper. It doesn't look like anything like I have seen before but I am very limited on my German Sniper knowledge. Please advise if real or a turd and if its worth or should it be (shutter) reblued ? Heard from the original owner that he sworn it was made as a last chance, end of war put together, but from experience I buy the gun, not the storyk98 sniper pic 1.jpgk98 sniper pic 2.jpgk98 sniper pic 3.jpg
 
I'm not a sniper expert by any means, but I believe Berlin-Lubecker (237) did not produce that style setup. They produced Zf41's starting a couple years after your rifle. The guys who truly know the details should chime in.

As far as refinishing, DON'T. Just get the surface rust off and keep it lightly oiled. What's done is done. You'll hurt any value it does have more by rebluing it.
 
The Sniper rifle Your showing is not original WW2 Heer or SS Sniper rifle . The Scope appears to be WW2 production and falls really close to the Serial Range Zeiss Zielvier scopes that were used on Single Claw Sniper rifles DSC_0008.JPGDSC_0007.JPG. The Rings and Bases that are pictured are commercial hunting type not military .

The only Military Sniper rifles that dovetailed the front base directly into the receiver was the SS Double Claw Variant . There are 2 other Variants known as Objective Mount Double Claws but both these used a Saddle on Front Base . I attached pics of an Objective Mount Double Claw for you as reference .
 
The work looks to me like it was done by a German gunsmith and very skilled work. I agree these are commercial bases. Strikes me a something done for a GI in the early post war period like the so called cigarette guns we see converted from 98ks
 
Thanks guys for your time looking at this. Another question I have is the square knob on the side of the Scope mount, was there expose to be a handle or lever on that like what is on the rear mount ? I am still going threw this collection at the estate I bought this from and there is stuff stacked everywhere, and there might be a small chance I might find it. Although I have owned many mausers over the years, the German sniper variation is a new field for me. I did not pay much for this but any ideal what it would go for even for being in poor shape, a fake or post war made up sniper ? Thanks again
 
Dave pointed out the most important aspect in a small side sentence. The scope on this rifle originates from a Steyr Single Claw K98k sniper rifle. Being one of those it is very rare and the scope itself therefore has more value than the rest of the hunting conversion that it is (I think your scope would sell for more than $ 1000 if sold separately). If you anyway plan to part with it, pull that scope from the rings and place any other commercial scope in the rings instead or with no scope at all. To remove the rings you first have to unscrew the ocular piece and pull the elevation adjustment on the scope. Then you can untighten the scope rings (they are anyway only clamped) and slide them off to the rear. Be aware that to pull and reinstall the elevation adjustment you need some skills because it is a bit tricky with Zeiss Zielvier and the focal adjustment, so if you don't feel comfortable ask someone knowledgeable to do it.
 
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