Mauser ID

[Victor Six Bravo]

Father owns a Mauser 98. World War One era, though it was never issued (when he bought it at age 16, approximately 1963 it had never been fired and was in the original case).

Does not have the 1905 "ski ramp" rear sight, the barrel is definitely longer than a 98k and the receiver is marked 1918 Danzig (now Gdansk, Poland). The bolt handle is turned down. Going through multiple reference books since the mid 90s the closest I can identify it as is a Gewehr 98 kar b, or the 1904 bicyclist's model (not a 98k of WW2) which my father had thought it was.

During his attendance in the Southeast Asia Live-Fire War Games 1968-69 season his brothers sporterized it without his permission so the original stock was lost and the safety was broken and removed so collector value is basically none. The bolt was unmodified. I've just always wondered exactly what it "was" for sure.

[Sarge13]

well, based on what you say - the only way to positively ID the rifle is photos of all the markings on the bbl & receiver. Is the underside of the bolt handle flat and knurled?
Sarge

[Victor Six Bravo]

I'll be in the area of the rifle for sure tomorrow.

Will take pics.

[Victor Six Bravo]

Haven't uploaded pics yet, but....

Bottom of bolt is flat and checkered. A number I can't make out yet is stamped there.

Floorplate is stamped 5593 and on teh actual floorplate "20" with some small proofmark type marks.

Receiver has imperial symbol, Danzig 1918 and 7,92.

Left side of barrel where it meets the receiver is marked 306. Right side of receiver (i just noticed and didn't when i took the pics) has several proof type marks/symbols visible but not closeup.

[Sarge13]

What is on the left side of the rec - Gew 98 or Kar 98?
The bolt is from a kar 98a.
Sarge

[Victor Six Bravo]

Since aside from the stock it's all-original......presumably it's a 98 Kar a (pretty close, I thought it was a kar b).

I'll check.

Any history on the kar a available?

[Victor Six Bravo]

Out of curiousity, would a Gew 98 stock fit this rifle?

My dad's been trying to find one forever to replace the original, need to know if a standard Gew 98 stock would fit.

[Victor Six Bravo]

Checked closely yesterday, the receiver does in fact say kar 98 on the left side.

Does that help?

[Sarge13]

As I thought, you have a Kar 98a. These were made from about 1900 to 1918. Would it fit in a Gew stock, yes, But a Gew stock would be to long and would not have the stacking rod on the side of the front bbl band. The handguard is also different. A 98a stock assy will be hard to find.
Sarge

[Victor Six Bravo]

His was a 1918-marked Danzig receiver. Is there any links on here I can read up on that specific model? I've seen something, but I can't remember where.

[Sarge13]

The WW 1 Mausers are not my area of interest so I don't know where to tell you to look for imnfo on them. Try searching under WW 2 German Mausers or Kar 98a is the best I ccan think of.
sarge