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Posted: 12/21/2008 9:09:28 PM EDT
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Gents,
I am home on leave and was making the rounds when I did see one piece I could not identify. It was on the racks with a number of $179-$199 Turk 38s, the same price, and in similar condition. It looked to be about the same length as a 98k but was marked Erfurt 1911 and what I think was GEW 98 on the rail. There were other markings on the receiver ring and I think one had been ground out, but I did not give it a close look at the time. The bolt was turned down and flat on the side near the wood. Operation was as smooth as I have ever felt on a mauser. I could see rifling at the muzzle, but the bore was dark. The stock was finger grooved, appeared to be birch or similar, and it had the same front sight arrangement as a K98a, but no stacking swivel. I did not think to look to see if there was provision for one. The stock was inletted for the bolt knob, much like a 98k. I did not notice an import mark, but there may be one. I am so curious that I think I will go back and check it out first thing tomorrow. I have nothing else to do. What should I be looking for and where should I start? Could it be a bubba'ed Gew 98 with the correct stock and sight for a K98a? Mausers are not my AO but I would like to figure this one out. Whether or not it is worth $199 might be another story. Thanks. |
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You need to take a better look as Erfurt made Gew 98 and also Kar 98 mausers. Either way it is a 98 mauser and all large ring mauser parts will fit on the gun. The only difference is the external dimension of the front ring; it has a regular large ring 98 barrel and bolt.
The Kar 98a is a smallring 98 mauser with a 23.6" tapered barrel with 98k style rear sight (similar) and full length handguard to the muzzle with a hinged band and the bolt knob would be flattened and checkered underneath. Many of these were "turked" which eliminated the full length top handguard with the stock shortenend up a bit. The Gew 98 is a large ring 98 mauser with 29" stepped down barrel and in 1911 would have the roller coaster style sight and would not have the bolt releif in the stock as it would be a straight bolt model. It could also have been a Gew 98 upgraded to WWII 98k trim with a new 23.6" stepped barrel and stock with bolt relief. |
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I went back today to take another look at it.
None of the numbers match and there is a faint import mark. It actually said "KAR 98" on the receiver wall and did not have a stepped barrel. The bolt was flattened as you said, but there was no checkering. The rear sight is similar to a K98k and graduated 300-2000m. The stock looked like that of a GEW 98, but shortened to look like a K98k. The stock endcap used to have a swivel or similar, but it has been broken off. Judging by the overall condition of the rifle, you might be right on the button with it being "Turked." I suppose if it was a k98a brought up to 98k spec by Germany, it would have been marked and restamped? Thanks |
| The Germans usually only turned Gew 98 into 98k's as the Kar 98a was close enough. The turked 98a's generally had flattened but unchekered bolts. They are still a handy little gun. Ooops I left off one big piece of information. The Kar 98a triggerguard bow is either farther back or farther forward than the 98K or Gew 98 and takes a trigger matched to that bow. It is very apparent side by side as one has a gap between the triggerguard bow and the rear screw and one is much closer. |
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Quoted:
The Germans usually only turned Gew 98 into 98k's as the Kar 98a was close enough. The turked 98a's generally had flattened but unchekered bolts. They are still a handy little gun. Ooops I left off one big piece of information. The Kar 98a triggerguard bow is either farther back or farther forward than the 98K or Gew 98 and takes a trigger matched to that bow. It is very apparent side by side as one has a gap between the triggerguard bow and the rear screw and one is much closer. Definitely a turked 98a sitting in a cut Gew 98 stock in that case. The bore is a bit of a sewer pipe. I've seen worse, but the crown looks to have been worn unevenly- probably from cleaning. Combined with a poorly executed arsenal repair to a cracked handguard, probably not worth the asking price of $199? |
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