Unknown Kar98k - identification needed.

[ThirtyAughtSix]

I've never come across this before. Just a number "1" on the receiver?

Any ideas people?

Attachment 33709

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[Patrick Chadwick]

Is there a mark on the right side of the barrel ring, or is that just dirt/damage?

And I think I can see scrubbed markings down the left side. Please check under good lighting, rotating the barrel to alter the reflection.

[ThirtyAughtSix]

This is a piece being sold, so I've emailed the seller asking for more detailed images.

[ThirtyAughtSix]

I've been advised the left side of the receiver carries a five digit serial number. Beneath that is a squared letter 'C' in a star and another letter which may be a 'K' or 'B' in a circle.

On the left of the receiver is either a 'Z' or 'N' in a circle and nothing else.

I would assume Israeli production/involvement, though I understood they converted Kar98ks, not manufactured them.

Any takers out there that could throw some advice this way?

[Detmer]

The z in a circle is a common Czeck marking. Hard to say, without seeing the others

[mike webb]

Like Detmer said, the circle Z is a Czech Brno trademark. Without photos it is hard to give a definitive answer. But probably a scrubbed German rework from Czechoslovakia, many were sold to Israel in the 1950's, chambered in 8x57 and sometimes rebarrelled to 7.62 NATO by the Israelis. A larger trigger guard is a post war Czech signature and finger grooves in the stock on the fore wood is a dead giveaway for an Israeli stock.

[m4a3sherman]

I'm inclined to also lean to Czech production, but as to whom it was rebuilt by, that's tricky. In my experience, Israeli reworks were marked quite a bit, but that doesn't rule it out either. Could you request a full length photograph? And if it's all there and inexpensive, I suggest picking it up for curiosities sake. I have a few like that which I'm still working out the story behind and they make a good mystery.