K98k

[bruceg]

I've got a K98k made in Berlin in 1941.  The serial numbers on the stock, barrel and receiver are the same but are different on other parts so, obviously, it's been pieced together.  The bolt handle is straight but the stock has the indentation as if the bolt should be the turned down variety.  I'm getting mixed messages about which bolt was the original type.....some folks say it could be either and others say the turned down style would have been the one at manufacture.  That makes sense to me based on the indentation in the stock. Does anybody know for certain?  Thanks much!

[mauser98us]

Some of the other parts maybe marked with the last two numbers of the serial number. Check them out

[NickSS]

The 98K all had turned down bolt handles a lot of other mausers including the older long 98 mausers had straight bolt handles.  Your gun may be one that has recently been imported from Russia a lot of them were disassembled, cleaned and reassembled in large numbers by the russians with little or no care taken to match things up.

[bruceg]

I believe you are correct.  This particular rifle was brought back to the States by my brother-in-law when he returned from Viet Nam in the late 60's. Surely it was a Russian capture during WWII and then given to the NVA.  It has all the typical earmarks of such a rifle.... missing front sight hood, missing cleaning rod, missing capture screws in the trigger housing and, as you said, mixed parts.  Thanks for confirming the "turned down bolt" issue!

[jwtietz]

I just went through the same thing. I have a k98 byf45 with the zf41 sniper mount barrel. It had the duffel cut and the stock was butchered. I am in NJ so i went up to http://www.sarcoinc.com./index.html#sgn They were very helpful and fixed me up with all the right and proper stuff for that gun. The stock i got was very nice and so were the metal fixtures that i was missing. Now i am on the hunt for a sniper scope and mount. I would talk to them and if you are close take a ride.

[bruceg]

Thanks for the info.  Much appreciatated!

[moconfed]

If your K98 was brought home from Nam, does he happen to have any military paperwork stating such? If so (or even if not, as long as you have a letter or other document from him stating how/where he picked it up), it will hold considerable value- over and above what your typical Russian Capture K98 holds. I wouldn't do any parts switching- leave it as-is.
 Congrats!