1939 K98 Mauser help

More pictures.

Whats the ( P ) marking on the receaver? I have found a number 5 and a B along with two other markings on the stock so far. Its amazing what the shellac covers up!

is that a cupped or flat buttplate stock?

can you take pics of the whole rifle?

It's a flat buttplate, and if original to the barreled action is correct for a code 237, 1939 Berliner-Lubecker-Machinenfabrick produced rifle. This factory didn't change to cupped buttplates until the "m" serial numbered rifles in the middle of 1941. That is a nice Luftwaffe stock also, if it's from the rifle it should be numbered in the barrel channel with at least four of the serial number. 1939 was also the first year that laminate stocks and handguards were used at factory 237, before that they are all solid walnut.

Thats a great bit of history , thanks.

The butt plate # matches the serial number on the barrel channel.

I will take pictures of the rifle today after I finish cleaning it. Its taken me three days to properly clean it and get the cosmoleen out of it. -Jay


P.S. Just reread what you said GUTS and I will go look at the serial numbers now.

Any info on the ( P ) marking on the receaver?

Also how do I know if I need the 10 or 12 in cleaning rod? Id like to peice it back together.

12" for a K98k (at least, that's what's in my Israeli!)

The 1939 code 237 used the 10" cleaning rod untill later in the production run when they changed to the 12 1/2" rod. The serial number range was 5671 to 67911 so you should be able to see where your rifle fits in.

When did they use a 15 5/8 inch cleaning rod? Or is it for another mauser?

As far as I know the 12 1/2" cleaning rod was standard from 1940 to the end of production at the Berlin-Lubecker factory. Doesn't the Yugoslavian M48 have the long cleaning rod?

K98k's had either 10 or 12 inch rods as far as I know. If it's German maybe a Gewehr 98, WW1 vintage, with that long barrel?