Isreali 98k SSR build

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01-31-2016, 10:19 PM
jonh172

Isreali 98k SSR build

For the last few months I've lusted over a Mauser Sniper Rifle.
I started by finding some low turret mounts with 1" rings and a Meopta Artemis 4x (zf39 clone) to mount on my 45acp Mauser Carbine. This sparked me to want a true sniper repro.
I got a pre war Meopta 4x with 26mm steel tube from a fellow CGNer (Thanks Don!) that was a great copy of the ZF39, so all I needed were the mount and rifle :p
Another fellow CGNer happened to have a reproduction SSR mount that he was holding for me (Thanks Matt!) so my search for a donor rifle began.
Of course I didn't want to ruin a perfectly good rifle so one that was already drilled and tapped was prefereable.
After a few passes on a couple RC Mauser's that weren't drilled, fate stepped in and a beauty Isreali Mauser came available from yet another fellow CGNer (Thanks Gord!). Even better, it was already drilled on the left rail!
I know, its not 8mm, but I want a shooter and 308 is plentiful!
(I decided to write this post in response to my frustration of the blatant lack of info on this subject on the internet.)

Donor Rifle, Israeli 7.62 on a Czech receiver.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...dg5xo23o-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...7lyzonz3-1.jpg

After acquiring the rifle, I promptly bought the SSR mount.

Here it is with the Meopta.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...6ywejo1m-1.jpg

Time to get to work!
Except, the holes in the rail were no where near where I needed them, but that was ok because I could go ahead with the build without having to wait to get the holes filled.

No overlap.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...56l8bpng-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...soq54png-1.jpg

The setup in a task like this is very time consuming, getting everything level and locked in place to start the first hole took almost an hour.

Once locked in place, I centered the drill in the first hole.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...b3hvjpng-1.jpg

Once center, I then removed the mount and cut my first hole with a center drill to get through the case hardening.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...9pntxpng-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...azc8xpng-1.jpg

Then drilled, nice & centered
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...4uwqvpng-1.jpg

Tapping was done in the press to ensure a square thread
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...hbcpdpng-1.jpg

Start all over for second and third holes, after they were cut the locating pin holes were drilled.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...7jugfpng-1.jpg

Once it was all set up, the screw heads need to be notched for the capture screws.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...t2fpdg6t-1.jpg

I know I'm going to get called out on it so I'll admit it! I did open up one of the screw slots a little (sigh), but I'll clean it up when I remove the mount again.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...3btnnkzc-1.jpg

Being locked under the press, I had no room for a conventional driver and had to use a ratcheting wrench type, so rolling a slot is easy if not perfectly square.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...rassonol-1.jpg

Now to inlet the stock, note the spacing of the 2nd screw hole in relation to the original its close but not touching, I do still plan to fill the old holes.
(Picture makes the second hole look out of round, but it isn't.)
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...drgm0jbt-1.jpg

Rough line up
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...vmpxhowh-1.jpg

I started by cutting only half the distance to the line, then filed and sanded CAREFULLY the rest of the way.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...soe6llak-1.jpg

I found this to be the most tedious and nerve racking part as you cant rebuild wood if a cut is too deep
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ljhmud1h-1.jpg

Snug as a bug : )

The clearance is even all the way around, the picture makes it look tight at the front and back.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...wva34png-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...rnirs400-1.jpg

Half way through the build a legit 1920's Zeiss Jena Zielvier (Actual ZF39!!) came available from a great CGN'er! (Thanks again Corey!)

So, with the help from many fellow great CGNers and a VERY knowledgeable Bob, I have now added a beautiful SSR Sniper to the collection!!

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...zccfxbfp-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...wtu2ubcq-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...220abhx7-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...j3gwnsyx-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...nocum6km-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...3m5gmxx9-1.jpg
That front screw slot.... :(
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...jgqtqw5p-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...5rbcblet-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...bc4osqzv-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...p2q0ip1k-1.jpg

Now that the sniper bug has bitten, next will be a low turret mauser sniper in 8mm, any help finding what i need on this one will be greatly appreciated as I will need both rifle and mounts.
02-01-2016, 12:44 AM
vintage hunter

Nice job. Have you attempted to zero it yet? Interested in how that turns out as I didn't notice any mention of a scope collimation process.
02-01-2016, 07:45 AM
jonh172

Quote:

Originally Posted by vintage hunter

Nice job. Have you attempted to zero it yet? Interested in how that turns out as I didn't notice any mention of a scope collimation process.

Thanks!

After installation, I bore sighted it, without changing the windage on the mount, the scope was only slightly right at 100 and slightly low on the scopes "100" elevation setting. I'm going to leave it as is and see what happens on paper.
02-01-2016, 12:17 PM
Flying10uk

John, are there any Waffen Amt markings left on your rifle which you have noticed or have they all been removed by the Israelis in their refurbs, please? It looks like a nice rifle.
02-01-2016, 12:57 PM
speckles

Is that a repro scope? I had one like that and could not get it to be consistent. but mine was chinese. go figure.
02-01-2016, 03:53 PM
jonh172

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flying10uk

John, are there any Waffen Amt markings left on your rifle which you have noticed or have they all been removed by the Israelis in their refurbs, please? It looks like a nice rifle.

There are a few waffenamt stamps on the rear sight, but non that I remember on the receiver (did the Czechs have waffens on the receiver?) And of course non on the barrel.
And thank you! It is a VERY nice rifle! I was very fortunate to get it.
Jon

---------- Post added at 03:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:51 PM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by speckles

Is that a repro scope? I had one like that and could not get it to be consistent. but mine was chinese. go figure.

No sir! Not a fake!
1920s built zeiss :)
02-01-2016, 04:20 PM
speckles

that will be a great shooter. The pics of your work is fantastic. wish more folks would post work in progress.
02-02-2016, 11:40 AM
jonh172

Quote:

Originally Posted by speckles

that will be a great shooter. The pics of your work is fantastic. wish more folks would post work in progress.

Thanks Speckles!

The lack of 'work in progress' posts is exactly what made me do this one. It was very hard to research the process, so I hope this helps someone with their own build.
02-02-2016, 03:56 PM
speckles

be careful. You might have folks asking you to do work for them once they see this.
02-02-2016, 07:10 PM
jonh172

Quote:

Originally Posted by speckles

be careful. You might have folks asking you to do work for them once they see this.

Hope so!
;)
02-02-2016, 09:41 PM
Calif-Steve

Guys--was this a Canadian project?
02-02-2016, 10:51 PM
jonh172

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calif-Steve

Guys--was this a Canadian project?

Yes, Canadian!
02-03-2016, 02:27 PM
Salt Flat

Jon, Nice-- Dang it, now I have to builld one. I have a BNZ bitser parts rifle that would be perfect. Salt Flat
02-03-2016, 05:40 PM
jonh172

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salt Flat

Jon, Nice-- Dang it, now I have to builld one. I have a BNZ bitser parts rifle that would be perfect. Salt Flat

Awesome! Post your progress!
02-05-2016, 09:55 AM
Flying10uk

I would expect there to have originally been Waffen Ampt stamps on the Receiver even though it was Czech made but they may have been removed by the Israelis in a refurb. The Nazis had codes for most if not all of their suppliers even, surprisingly, a few Swiss companies who supplied products to the Nazis. Towards the end of the war the codes were not always applied. I don't know what items the Swiss supplied to Germany during WW2 but may have been only non lethal parts/equipment.
02-05-2016, 03:13 PM
Calif-Steve

The late 1945 Czech Mausers come in all flavors. Some have German stamps, some have Czech stamps, some have no stamps. The Czechs sold piles to Israel even sold then a complete M98 production package. They were in 8mm as received but over the years many were re-barreled in 7.62mm and many German proofs were removed or punched out. Indeed some of the late 1945 receivers had Mod 98 stamped on top of the receiver and the Czechs ground the tops quite smooth. Some people suggest the Czechs started up the production line and made Mausers for export. Lots of customers in 1948-49.
02-05-2016, 05:29 PM
jonh172

Will post more detailed pics of stampings this week.
02-09-2016, 12:21 AM
jonh172

Barrel markings
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...zxmealoj-1.jpg

Rear sight
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...gh1pygbn-1.jpg

Lil lion
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...dyjv6wvz-1.jpg

Right side receiver https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...8n5gcjwb-1.jpg

Serial and star of david
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...klqa6t6s-1.jpg

Matching bolt
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...e5ijolms-1.jpg
02-10-2016, 04:17 PM
Calif-Steve

Looks like a VERY late 1945 receiver that was likely half finished when the war ended. No German proofs, as I can tell, so likely forged April/May 1945 but finished 1946/47? Really hard to tell, I have a DOU 1945 that is quite nicely finished and I suspect it was a reject receiver re-worked in 1945 and shipped off to the Army just before the war ended. Superb work on the Mauser rifle.
02-11-2016, 11:31 AM
jonh172

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calif-Steve

Looks like a VERY late 1945 receiver that was likely half finished when the war ended. No German proofs, as I can tell, so likely forged April/May 1945 but finished 1946/47? Really hard to tell, I have a DOU 1945 that is quite nicely finished and I suspect it was a reject receiver re-worked in 1945 and shipped off to the Army just before the war ended. Superb work on the Mauser rifle.

Awesome thanks for the info!
04-27-2016, 01:31 AM
jonh172

Range session!
I shot LC 13 stamped 7.62 ammo and was pleasantly surprised!

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...hgzl8cbt-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...jj7uleww-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...5e0yikkt-1.jpg

First 5 rounds, 2 sighters and scope adjustments on top then 3 for group.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...4usvnfe6-1.jpg

This was the first and best group of the day.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...hzcshjmp-1.jpg
05-23-2016, 08:34 PM
Bruce_in_Oz

Very tasty job!

Love the granite-topped shooting bench; as classy as the rifle!