1939 Mauser 98 42 question

[shawn hoague]

Hi,
I have a bringback Model 98 that is all matching except the bayonet mounting stud. The rifles serial number is 7587 and the side of the stud lug "holder" is marked 33 on one side and waffenamt and 211 on the other. Every other part has the Waa 63 marking and correct serial number. Is this just a changed out part or did they get parts from other arsenals like we did building M1 Carbines? Thanks for any help. Shawn Hoague

Information

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[UNPROFOR1994]

Hello Shawn,

It's changed out, normally it should be marked WaA63 (Mauser-Obendorf) and 87 (two last digits of your serial number). WaA211 was used by the Mauser-Borsigwalde factory in 1935, 1936 and 1937.

There is an other possibility. Maybe the entire stock has been replaced? Does your stock have the same serial number?

[shawn hoague]

Yes, the stock matches, handguard and the rest of the rifle are 100% matching. The reason I was asking is that,like you said, in 36,37 and 38 that 211 number was used. I was wondering if it could have been an extra used up for the same reason that we did with M1 Carbines. They are there,so use them.

[kar98k]

it's not unheard of to have a factory mis-matched piece on a 98k. even with the Germans psychotic attention to detail.

[shawn hoague]

If anyone has any proof of this or a rifle with the same issue as mine, please show the story or rifle. Thanks all.

[UNPROFOR1994]

If anyone has any proof of this or a rifle with the same issue as mine, please show the story or rifle. Thanks all.

The problem is that you can never proof your rifle left the Obendorf factory with a mismatched bayonet lug made in the Borsigwalde factory. It could have been changed out at any time, even yesterday. It is what it is, you have an all matching K98k, except the bayonet lug. That is not uncommon, parts brake, certainly on a battle rifle.
Does it have any modern German proofmarks described on this page: http://www.beschussamt.de/ ? Can't you post some pictures?

[jmoore]

I've seen more than one K98k, etc. with the bayonet lug portion removed. Even on fairly pristine, matching, and "no import marked" examples. Don't know why it was done, but it's common enough to probably been a local restriction or similar. Perhaps this rifle was such and had the mutilated part replaced down the road at some point?

[UNPROFOR1994]

In Europe that country was post war Germany. If it is one of those it should also have post war proof marks. You can find them here: http://www.beschussamt.de/
They also had to block the sights at 300 meters, usually with a small tag weld.

[shawn hoague]

Anyone? Anyone? Anyone? Buehler.

[Badger]

There's a good example in the MKL..

1939 Code 42 K98k (Karabiner 98) Rifle (Mfg by Mauser Werke AG, Oberndorf a/N)

Regards,
Doug