East German K98 Sniper??

Greetings,

Went to the gun show this weekend and picked up this k98. I was told that it was east german sniper that was smuggled out by someone after the fall of the wall. It's a Czech k98 that was made post war and was refinished by the east Germans at a point (got a 1001 and a crown n under the wood between the sight and the reciever. All matching except the rear barrel band, rear sight, trigger, and bolt catch (saftey electro matched). Ill post more pics tomorrow.

My main question has to do with the scope mounting. Its 3 holes drilled in the side rail in a straight line (not staggered). I took a pics for now to show what I mean. If anyone has any idea I'd appreciate it.

Bernard

Be interesting to see what others say, but I don't like it. I think it is a Bubba job.
Sarge

I agree, I think it's a post military side mount. Here's a proper scope and a bare receiver so you can see the difference. Screw holes and locating pin holes...

It doesn't look like it was any sort of engineer who drilled and tapped the holes because the holes don't appear to have any lead-in/counter-sink to them. You can see that the threads have started to lift out of the holes which wouldn't have happened if the holes had had a small counter-sink before being tapped. An engineer worth his salt would have known this.

Thought I'd post an update. I took some additional pics for your consumption. Its definitely not a German mount configuration for a scope, the closest i can find online is this or a swede commercial mount: Item Information At NewEnglandCustomGun.com

It doesn't have a lot of proof marks and i found the word Germany and ...burg, NJ on the front of the barrel (its so light its non existent). Sort of pokes a hole in the story that it was a bring back after the fall of the wall. The only things that don't match are the butt plate, rear sight, trigger, and bolt stop.

Any thoughts or questions just ask.

Bernard

I that the "Germany" mark is a U.S. import mark? Its a shame that's it's been butchered by the 3 tapped holes which rather spoils it as a collector's piece.

Yes, "Germany" is the statement of the country of origin. The side mounts are common, not military. Here's an Arisaka done that way, I can show you a Carcano, Nagant, Krag done the same way.

Jim, thanks for the pic. While it sucks, I traded my Turk Gew 88 and 250$ so i don't think i got hosed. Since the damage is done, is there any suggestions for a good mount that would fit the spot?

Bernard

You could get someone who knows what they are doing to make up some special screw in studs to fill the holes and then cut/face them off flush. They need to be made so that once fitted they don't come out of their own accord.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CaptSimon

a good mount that would fit the spot?

---

Those holes can be filled with a standard filler screw, you just need the TPI and outside Diameter. The screws you have will help. You can have them blind welded with wire feed but the damage is there. Maybe just put fillers inside and shoot it as is. The mounts are older types and you'll have to watch Ebay for them I think...unless someone here has one...

I could. I may do that and add a zf-41 reproduction to it. Has anyone had a good experience with the system?

Bernard

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CaptSimon

a good experience with the system?

---

You mean the repro ZF scopes? There was something here about that sometime back. If you go through the German Mauser pages...perhaps start a thread and see what emerges?

I normally make my own filler screws if I wish to fill a tapped hole because it means that the filler screw can be made a tight fit to suit the existing tapped hole which needs to be filled.

Those holes don't match up to either a Weaver #1 or Williams side mount unless an extra hole was drilled through it then tapped. Even the older style Weaver N-1 non detachable 3/4" scope side mount holes don't line up with those. Maybe it was some kind of "Ivan Special" scope mount only available behind the iron curtain? Have you been able to determine what the tapped thread is, standard or metric?

In any case that isn't professional work done to that rifle as has been pointed out.
If it shoots well then it might have been worth the trade. - Bill

If the tapped holes were put in the receiver in Continental Europe there is a good chance that they are metric threads but if done in the States they more likely to be an imperial size thread.

It shoots well. I measured the threads on the two screws that were in the first and 3rd hole when i got it: 22-22.5 mm diameter.

A 7/8" diameter screw then, thereabouts?

my mistake 4.61 mm (.181 in) caliper batteries were low :lol: