Help ID this Mauser

[Hazegrey]

I've had this rifle for a while. It's one of those 'my dad said his brother-in-law said his uncle told him...' routines. The story goes in WWII some GIs came across a factory and put some rifles together and brought them home. I'd bet money its never been fired, I guess I should have taken a picture of the bore. Obviously not totally put together correctly, the hand guard and the barrel band don't look right. Anyways I'm interested in hearing what the forum thinks of this ol rifle. History, Value, Uniqueness, is the story boloney (I won't be offended or heart broken) etc?

[Patrick Chadwick]

Well it certainly looks like an assemblage of "as new" parts to me. The story could be true - the unfinished stock, without the bolt takedown ring and sling cut-out could hardly have come from anywhere else but a factory. But IMHO that makes it a curiosity, not a valuable rarity. After all, every "bitsa" is unique!

The most valuable aspect is surely the mint-looking barreled K98k system.

[Singer B]

Maybe a rifle captured in the process of being refurbished? That stock is definitely incorrect for a 1944 Kar98k.

[Hazegrey]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I think despite the parts value I’m going to keep it as found condition. And it will probably remain unfired as long as I have it. Given the absence of contradictory evidence I will definitely continue to tell the story of its assembly. Thanks again

[Singer B]

It is a cool piece with a cool story!

[bob q]

It is a German K-98k in a Czech VZ-24 stock with the CZ sling swivel removed . A 1944 German serialized K98k would not have been just laying around at the end of the war . The CZ stock is used and chipped where the ID disc and swivel were removed , there is no bolt take down on a VZ 24 stock . It is also very unlikely a pre war VZ 24 stock would also be laying around after the war . Most likely the stock was put on the K98k state side to replace a cut or broke stock .

[GeeRam]

It is a German K-98k in a Czech VZ-24 stock with the CZ sling swivel removed . A 1944 German serialized K98k would not have been just laying around at the end of the war . The CZ stock is used and chipped where the ID disc and swivel were removed , there is no bolt take down on a VZ 24 stock . It is also very unlikely a pre war VZ 24 stock would also be laying around after the war . Most likely the stock was put on the K98k state side to replace a cut or broke stock .

Yep, maybe the original stock was duffle cut, and either the end piece was lost or the repair failed at some point and this was a later replacement stock?

As for the original story, unlikely it was a factory, but more likely a depot repair facility they came across?

[bob q]

The German military was not lacking for parts, even late in the war . They never would have used a VZ-24 stock . Also repair depots marked their work , and this one is not . The original story is the thing that is unlikely .

[Wthenley]

I have heard similar stories of GI's finding P38 pistols in pieces at the BYF factory near the end of the conflict. Some have been discovered here in the US with no proof marks and were rumoured to have been assembled from parts by the soldiers who picked the pieces up. True or not it makes for a interesting possibility. I think I would leave it alone and enjoy owning it and telling the story as mentioned by the OP. Thanks for sharing.

[Hazegrey]

Well thanks all for the thoughts! Guess it's one of life's mysteries! I hope if anyone reads this and has a story they wish to pass down with a particular firearm they WRITE IT DOWN! and keep it somewhere it can be found.

Thanks again everybody I'm looking forward to contributing on the forum in the future.