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98k Mauser ID help
Hello,
I'm new to Mausers and could use some help ID'ing this one. It is a RC with matching numbers on the reciever and stock, other parts have mixed numbers. Solid walnut stock an thin butt plate.
Stampings are intact. RC electro-pencil markings in a number of spots. Its missing the small lock scres, sight hood, and cleaning rod. The stock is pretty nice, though it looks like one area may have been sanded.
This is a new acquisition though after shooting it today for the first time, I'm not sure how long I'm going to hang on to it. The bore pitted somewhat, but may worse than I originally thought as it keeps turning cleaning patches dark green. Lots of deposits in that bore and after two days of cleaning they keep on coming out.
I'm curious to know the date of this rifle. I was told it was 1941, but I keep reading about the date code gg was associated with 1942. Maybe somebody can set me straight.
There is a number 41D192 and right next to that is another D where the barrel meets the r'cvr.
Below the Mauser logo is a zero... might that signify 1940?
Also interesting is that below the stamped .Mod 98 there is barely discernable
" Mauser (something) Oberndorf"
I'm not sure if this qualifies as a Banner Mauser (or what the definition of that really is). I'm guessing this rifle started out as a commercial receiver and became pressed into service during WWII.
If anyone can offer some feedback that would be great.
I'm looking to track down a few good Mauser ID books as well.
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09-15-2012 09:34 PM
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Originally Posted by
Lock and Load
I'm not sure if this qualifies as a Banner Mauser (or what the definition of that really is).
Yes, it is a "banner Mauser". That is the term used for those Mausers that have the Mauser name in the style that you can see there. In Germany
this style of marking is known as the "Mauser Tonne" i.e. Mauser barrel (barrel as in beer, not rifle!)
The proper number of the rifle is 9543gg. Mausers were numbered 1 to 9999, then 1a to 9999 a, right through the alphabet in this style, then 1aa to 9999aa and again through to 9999az (or so I presume).
Last edited by Patrick Chadwick; 09-17-2012 at 06:47 PM.
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Originally Posted by
Lock and Load
I'm looking to track down a few good Mauser ID books as well.
Get "Backbone of the Wehrmacht" by Richard Law.
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Thanks for the info! I will look for that book.
I was shooting this rifle at lunch hour today. Prone position 100 yards. I didn't feel like my sling was tight enough, my older eyes were blurring out bit.
But this rifle can shoot pretty well. The groups are not as tight as my '03's but I suspect that will change with a little more trigger time with this rifle.
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You say it is an RC, but I don't see an X on the rec or bbl. Are there importer marks on the left or bottom muzzle end of the bbl? I see a mark on the stock that makes me think this is a jugoslav, Bulgarian or Romanian rework, can't remember which.
You say the stock matches the rec - where is that ser nr as you don't show it.
You don't show right side of the rec so I can only make out 1 WaA which matches the bbl date of 41. The gg has nothing to do with the year, but says that the rifle was assembled in late 41. No the 0 under the banner is not the year of mfg, I have no idea what that represents, never see the likes before.
It looks like a left over or rejekt Standard Model rec was dug out and assembled in 41.
Sarge
Last edited by Sarge; 09-19-2012 at 04:34 AM.
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Thanks for you input, and confirming the date.
I need to get the book mentioned.
The last pic shows a number on the left of the stock that matches the receiver, but also shows an area that looks sanded.
I was under the impression that not all RC's rcvd the X on the receiver, and the absence of capture screws, hood, and cleaning rod, presence of electropencil number engravings on the bolt and floor plate was what made me think Russian
capture.
There are import markings on the front, going from memory ---- Redmond WA 8mm.
I'll take some better pics of the inspection #s and re-post.
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You are right, not all RCs got the X, likewise not all got an importers mark so you cna find rifles with the X only, importer only and with neither.
Yes that is an RC stock. It is probably sanded because there was originaly another nr stamped on it that was sanded off and this nr stamped.
Sarge
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For the copper fouling, I suggest BreakFree Foaming Bore Cleaner. It works VERY well at removing copper deposits in the bore and rifling. Not super pricey, and effective. Be sure to avoid getting any on the stock as it will eat the finish with quite a bit of gusto. Foam up the bore, let it sit about 15 minutes, then run patches through until they stop coming out green, repeat until nothing comes out at all after a foaming treatment.
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Attachment 37026Attachment 37027Attachment 37028Attachment 37029
A few more pics
Looks like a mix of WaA135 and 655 on the same receiver
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The Army gave the many civilian factories an annual quota. Any over-run production could be sold to the commerical market, so a diverted 1941 commerical receiver into the Army is a possibility. But, do realize the Nazi government curtailed civilian ownership of guns. However, I do recall reading(?) Steyr was selling civilian rifles in 1944(!). So I guess a Banner Mauser might have been a 1941 production receiver, but a factory second is also a slight possibility. I read once that Madame Chiang kai-chek bought all of Mauser factory seconds in 1938(?), so I guess there was a pile of seconds in the big factories. I have a 1945 98k in my collection that does not look anything like a 1945 receiver, so a second it likely is. This rifle is a very interesting find and a nice addition to a Mauser collection.
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