A mystery Mauser

TorF · Nov 11, 2024

Yesterday this M98 small ring Erfurt mauser was posted for sale on a local "ebay" for $45.
This action/rifle was obviously a massacred rifle that had previously had a scope mounted with turret mounts found on ww2 M98K snipers.
Here's the rifle:

I contacted the seller and asked about this. He said he ha an old scope that had been taken off the rifle and I got this picture.
How is this possible? A "low turret" for a small ring Mauser?

To be continued..

sirhrmechanic · Nov 11, 2024

Is that an old Kahles?? Look like a post-reticle single turret Kahles Inused to have.

Sirhr

Ledzep · Nov 11, 2024

Kar98A, with 1920 stamp meant it was kept in service post WWI. It'd be very hard to tell when the optic was added unfortunately but may have been something for the SS or police? I'll look through my Law book but I don't recall seeing any 98A's referenced in there.

Winchester M70 Van Orden · Nov 12, 2024

That's an exciting subject...

Yes, of which type is this scope, please ? That would be a help, probably.. .

Random Guy · Nov 13, 2024

I contacted the seller and asked about this. He said he ha an old scope that had been taken off the rifle and I got this picture.
How is this possible? A "low turret" for a small ring Mauser?

Per Richard Law’s book, the Germans began making some Karabiner 98a/b sniper rifles around 1928-29 for the German “police” forces - as it was forbidden to make them for the military…but in reality the two were pretty aligned esp after 1932. I’d try to get that scope from the buyer and see if it has markings that match the rifle. No one knows how many were made as most were destroyed at some point. Does your rifle have a bent bolt that has been blued?

Law’s book notes that 1938 was the year that the Germany got interested in a modern sniper rifle based on the newer K98 (which was adopted in 1935). A late 1920’s era “police” sniper rifle.

ZG47A · Nov 13, 2024

@TorF It has just occurred to me that, if this rifle is a genuine sniper rifle, it was probably made up for the Gebirgsjaeger. Maybe you could locate some photo images of German alpine troops in Norway.

TorF · Nov 15, 2024

I got more pictures from the seller.
The rear base is missing.
Scope seems to be Kahles.
I've asked the seller if there are any part of the mounts that have the same number as the rifle.
The barrel is in 308win with, I think, a Krag rear sight.

MK20 · Nov 15, 2024

BUY THE DAMN SCOPE NOW!!!!!

Seriously. This is a very good scope to get. If you don't want it, I do and will pay for it and shipping as long as it is reasonable. Anything under 350 and you are doing just fine as long as it is optomechanically correct.

TorF · Nov 16, 2024

@MK20
I will probably buy the rifle and scope if all stars align..
The seller has no knowledge of guns and are located a couple of hours by plane from me.
As I live in Scandinavia I have to get a license from the police to buy the Mauser, and as my collection of guns is "full" I need to get rid of one I already have to be able to acquire this one.. (as a registered comp shooter and hunter I can own app 25 licensed firearms. Collectors can own 100)
I have also contacted people I know among gun collectors to see if it is possible to get hold of another mismatched M98a, do an action swap and make a "fake" M98a sniper.

On top of this I'm in a process of trying to buy back a couple of rifles I sold in the last century for sentimental reasons. (Am I getting old?) One is a Rem 40X repeater and the other is a Walther JR. These rifles also need new licences from the police..
As I'm a shooter, not a collector, these two rifles are prioritized before the Mauser.

MK20 · Nov 16, 2024

Oh, I am familiar to some degree with how your unfortunate laws work. If nothing else, just buy the scope. It is collectible. Best of luck navigating your political system.

Gary/CO · Nov 19, 2024

I thought the turret mounting system were developed in the late '30s or early 1940. The gang at the K98k forum are the experts.

buffalowinter · Nov 19, 2024

100 guns isn't much for a collection.

MK20 · Nov 19, 2024

What mounts are those used for the horizontal guns on the wall?

Random Guy · Nov 19, 2024

100 guns isn't much for a collection

Gary/CO · Nov 19, 2024

That image reminds me of the entry hall of Colonial Williamsburg's Governor's Mansion.

roostercogburn98 · Nov 19, 2024

buffalowinter said:
100 guns isn't much for a collection.
View attachment 8549674

I’ve got this exact gun

ZG47A · Nov 22, 2024

Gary/CO said:
I thought the turret mounting system were developed in the late '30s or early 1940. The gang at the K98k forum are the experts.

The ‘turret’ Mount was developed for an Argentine order of 98/1909 rifles and was originally called the Argentinian-Montage. Source: German Sniper Rifles, pub. by S.I. Publicaties. ISBN 978-90-78521-04-4. The ‘Schweden-Montage’ or short side rail mount was jointly developed in the early 1930s by Weihrauch and Jackenroll for a Swedish contract. Source: as above.

Random Guy · Nov 22, 2024

The ‘turret’ Mount was developed for an Argentine order of 98/1909 rifles and was originally called the Argentinian-Montage

Pics of the Argentine Modelo 1909 sniper rifle (which used German-made scopes, and a turned-down bolt handle):

Mr. Z · Nov 22, 2024

buffalowinter said:
100 guns isn't much for a collection.
View attachment 8549674

Eeewwwww
Old wood stocked junk…

USMCsean · Nov 23, 2024

Mr. Z said:
Eeewwwww
Old wood stocked junk…

Winchester M70 Van Orden · Nov 25, 2024

If you say that

Then it will be true

Winchester M70 Van Orden · Nov 25, 2024

Mr. Z said:
Eeewwwww
Old wood stocked junk…

But no Junk ??!

A mystery Mauser

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