Israeli K98k

[Ridolpho]

Don't know much about Mausers but from various references, including old threads, have pieced together the following story for this rifle: action body built at Czech BRNO factory postwar as a K98k. No evidence of use by Czechoslovakia as no crossed swords mark on receiver ring. At some stage sold to Israel who rebuilt it with new 8mm barrel and stock (and various mismatched pieces like the German rear sight), perhaps in the same 1949 purchased plant that briefly manufactured new rifles. As shown in the photos, the gun has various pseudo-"kriegsmodel" characteristics but most closely resembles a photo of an "Israeli Model 98k short rifle" on page 156 in Ball, ed. 2 (specifically the barrel band. nosecap). Other minor details: bolt lacks guide rib but is stamped with a matching number; don't know what the wood is but inletting is excellent. So, question to experts- how much of this have I gotten wrong? In particular, are all the barrel markings Israeli?

Information

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[Calif-Steve]

Sold as complete rifle 1948(?) to Israel. Likely a 1945 German production receiver. They bought all of the Mod98's the Czechs would sell. Indeed, even bought an entire production line, but never ran the full line. They did make small parts as needed. Looks re-stocked into beech (?) wood. Many later converted into 7.62mm, you have a 8mm there. You will see German, Czech and Israeli parts to make a very fine Infantry rifle.

[Ridolpho]

Calif-Steve: Thanks for the comments. It does, indeed, look like beech. Do you see anything on the barrel (I've shown all detectable marks) indicating Czech manufacture? There is a number with closely associated "star of David" and some peculiar small geometric symbols. No visible Czech proof s far as I can tell. Bore, incidentally, is like a mirror suggesting little use since re-barreling.

Ridolpho

[Sarge]

Rec is not wartime made. Bbl mks are strange in part because they are on the wrong side of the bbl. I see what could be (?) part of an Isreali star at the end of the bbl marks, But?
Stock is definately Isreali.
I would not want to make a guess as to exactly what the provenance of that rifle is. Take the stock off and it doesn't smell Isreali.
Sarge

[Brian Dick]

The receiver is clearly stamped with Israeli proofs. Looks right as rain to me. These rifles can be comprised of any parts that fit. Many were converted to 7.62 later on.

[Ridolpho]

Brian: What about the small geometric symbols on the left side of the barrel? I haven't stumbled onto anything like them in my admittedly limited references about Czech/ Israeli markings. Thanks.

Ridolpho

[Brian Dick]

I'm not really sure but I'd guess they are inspectors markings.

[Calif-Steve]

The receiver looks rough enough to be a very late 1945, but unfinished, receiver. No German proofs visible at all, but that doesn't mean it wasn't a 1945 forging. It certainly looks like a "rush" job to me. I would think a 1948 Czech forging would have been finished much smoother. I have seen late receivers (Israeli) ground totally smooth, with no marking at all on the reciever, but late 45 barrels. Indeed, my 1945 dou rifle looks much "nicer" then this receiver. Czech barrel (?) or Israeli barrel (?) good question, with no German barrel band or very faint(?)markings, this might be Israeli. I see an S/42 rear sight base and that may well be a sign of Israeli re-barrel job. All in all it looks like nice keeper to me and a nice find.