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[ledge]

I am new to the MOD 98 K I am more into the garands. I bought a MOD 98 today paid 349 for it. It has S/147 and 1937 stamped on top of the receiver. The serial number is 7721 can some one please help me ID this weapon?

thanks John

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[gunner]

Hi John,

your K98k is made at Sauer & Sohn, Suhl. It has the little WaA stamp with a number and an Eagle and the stamp should be WaA214. Good maker of quality rifles.

Regards

Gunner

[Calif-Steve]

German WWII Mauser. 8mm Mauser caliber. Nice shooter, built in 1937, nice keeper.

[ledge]

At the muzzle end there is R Guns stamped on it Is this a problem? There is a number stamped in the barrel channel of the stock what is this number?

[kar98k]

At the muzzle end there is R Guns stamped on it Is this a problem? There is a number stamped in the barrel channel of the stock what is this number?

Rguns is the importer. it's been imported to the US by them to be sold to the public.

the number in the barrel channel is the stock's original serial number. sounds like a Russian Capture so that number shouldn't match the rifle's serial number

[ledge]

Thanks for all the info. I am new to the MOD 98 so I have a lot of basic questions. I have noticed it is a mix master of parts. I did notice a PU in the barrel channel. It there a good web sight that has good info on these weapons. Is there an issue with it being a Russian Capture?

[Aragorn243]

I've found the best info on these rifles from the guys on this website.

I just bought one a couple of weeks ago.

A Russian capture will usually have a stamp on the receiver near the serial number. It will look like a large "X" and is supposed to be crossed rifles. The entire rifle will be blued and the finish will look near new or like new. The stock will often have a reddish color shellac on it. They will also likely have etched serial numbers on the bolt and a few other parts to match the receiver serial number. They will also likely be missing the front sight cover, the cleaning rod (mine had its) and two small screws on the bottom trigger and magazine plate assembly. All these can be found fairly easily if you want to bring it back to closer to German original. An RC will also likely have a serial number stamped into the side of the butt stock.

Known issues with these is that they occasionally may need a little bit of fine tuning to operate smoothly but nothing major. They also are not as valuable as an all matching bringback or perhaps even a good condition original mix-master but it depends on what you are looking for. If you prefer nice looking rifles, it's a great buy. The bores are generally pretty good because the Russians disposed of any which were not in good shape.

The possibility exists that it was used in Vietnam but I do not know how you this would be determined. If it looks "new" it probably wasn't.

There is some debate on whether to leave them as is from the Russians or to restore them to German appearance. I went with getting rid of the red shellac on mine while leaving all other Russian markings such as the stock serial number and electro pencil marks alone. I am also getting the sight cover and two missing screws. Am also leaving the blued parts that the Germans didn't blue alone for now as well.

There is surplus ammo out there for these still. I was told to stay away from the '50's Yugoslav ammo but any newer stuff should be fine. I just got a case of Romanian 70's ammo for $98 from AIM shipping included and on stripper clips. Bugger of a can to open with the average household tools. Do not ruin your wife's can opener, it will not work. The ammo is very nice. I haven't fired any yet but there is not a mark of corrosion on it at all, it's like the day it was made and the stripper clips work beautifully.

[gunner]

Hi ledge,

here is a Link to a helpful site:

K98k Mauser Page

Regards

Gunner

[ledge]

Two more questions, MOD 98 is stamped on the side of the receiver what does that mean? would my S/147 1937 have had a front sight hood installed originally?

[kar98k]

Two more questions, MOD 98 is stamped on the side of the receiver what does that mean? would my S/147 1937 have had a front sight hood installed originally?

Mod. 98 is short for Model 98. sight hoods didn't appear until 1941 so if yours has a groove it's either a German addition from later in the war or somebody did it post war