Help identifying Mauser rifle

Noban · February 11, 2000, 07:53 PM

I was given an old Mauser rifle that I think predates WW 2. There are no dates on it, but what distinguishes it from others I've seen is the stacking hook under the muzzle. It's carbine length and has a turned down bolt, and is 8mm. Could this be a WW 1 K98A carbine?

Thanks

James K · February 11, 2000, 11:29 PM

Hi, Noban,

It sounds like a 98a. What are the receiver ring markings? The 98a has a front sight with curced sideguards, and a bayonet lug almost at the end of the barrel.

Jim

Noban · February 12, 2000, 12:49 AM

Hi Jim - I don't see any markings on the receiver except for "K98". Yes the front sight guards are curved and the bayo lug is where you stated. What I have noticed upon closer inspection is that the receiver, butt plate and stock all have matching numbers. This rifle was in a closet of an older fellow who recently passed away, and God only knows how long he had it and where it came from. His widow was kind enough to give it to me.

Schmit · February 12, 2000, 12:59 AM

Moving topic over to Harley Nolden's Institute for Firearms Research forum.

------------------
Schmit
GySgt, USMC(Ret)
NRA Life, Lodge 1201-UOSSS
"Si vis Pacem Para Bellum"

Harley Nolden · February 12, 2000, 06:01 AM

Noban:
Here's a little trivia on the 98, thought you may be interested.

MAUSER

Model: 98
Designer: Peter & Paul Mauser
Year of Mfg: 1889-1925
Caliber: 7.92mm (8mm) rimmed
Action: Turnbolt
Length:
Barrel Length: 30.67" rifle
21.65" Carbine
15.75" Short Carbine
Grooves:
M-Velocity:

The M98 was the first highly successful Mauser action designed for a powerful smokeless powder, rimless military cartridge. It was also the first Mauser action designed to load the magazine with a charger, stripper clip,. This action set the general pattern for other Mauser turnbolt rifle actions which followed, with changes and improvements that made Mauser actions a standard throughout the world.

A great many of these rifles were made in the Belgian government arsenal in Liege. Many were also made in Birmingham, England, at a plant set up and operated by Belgian refugees. An American firm, Hopkins & Allen, obtained a contract and made many of these rifles for Belgium prior to WWI.

Mauser action is the basis of design for most every turnbolt rifle in the world today. This includes the military and the civilian model rifles of todays manufacture. During the era most all countries used the Mauser design, to include the United States, who bought patent rights to design the M1903 Springfield.

These actions (M1898) are still being manufactured today and there are still some of the old original actions being sold on the civilian market. Many gunsmiths prefer this action, new or
old, to build custom rifles in varing calibers to include shotguns.

After WWII restrictions placed on the Germans to, manufacture military rifles. However, they could manufacture sporting rifles and shotguns. This prompted Germany to rebarrel and convert the M1898 Mauser rifle to a two shot shotgun. This shotgun was produced in, 12, 16, and 20 gauge. These shotguns were eventually imported into the US and sold on the open market.
I have personally owned one of these shotguns and found it to make and excellent slug gun.

HJN

February 14, 2000, 04:07 PM

This may be helpful....

Manufacturer Receiver Date

Berlin-Luebecker 237 1938
Berlin-Luebecker 237 1939
Berlin-Luebecker 237 1940
Berlin-Luebecker DUV 42

Feinmechanische Werke S/27 1937
Feinmechanische Werke 27 1938
Feinmechanische Werke 27 1940
Feinmechanische Werke AX 1940
Feinmechanische Werke AX 41

Gustloff Werke 337 1940
Gustloff Werke BCD 43

J. P. Sauer & Sohn S/147 1937
J. P. Sauer & Sohn 147 1938
J. P. Sauer & Sohn 147 1939
J. P. Sauer & Sohn 147 1940
J. P. Sauer & Sohn CE 41
J. P. Sauer & Sohn CE 42

Mauser-Werke S/42 1937
Mauser-Werke S/243 1937
Mauser-Werke 42 1938
Mauser-Werke 243 1938
Mauser-Werke S/243 1938
Mauser-Werke 42 1939
Mauser-Werke 243 1939
Mauser-Werke 243 1940
Mauser-Werke AR 41
Mauser-Werke AR 42
Mauser-Werke AR 43
Mauser-Werke CE 43
Mauser-Werke BYF 44
Styer-Daimler-Puch 660 1940
Styer-Daimler-Puch BNZ 4

Waffenwerke Bruenn DOU 44
Waffenwerke Bruenn DOU 45

Steven Mace · February 4, 2007, 09:29 PM

Harley, what would you think the value of a Model 1898 converted to 12 gauge would be today?

Steve Mace

Harley Nolden · February 5, 2007, 04:19 AM

STEVE:

Depending on condition of course, if I had a mind to buy it I would go as high as $200.00. I owned one many years ago, and liked it a lot. There aren;t too many around any more and to me Mauser is a Mauser, like Mercedez is Mercedez

Harley

February 4, 2007, 09:29 PM	#7
Steven Mace Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 1999 Location: Clifton, Colorado USA Posts: 724	Resurecting an old thread Harley, what would you think the value of a Model 1898 converted to 12 gauge would be today? Steve Mace __________________ After today, its all historical

February 11, 2000, 07:53 PM	#1
Noban Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 1999 Posts: 662	I was given an old Mauser rifle that I think predates WW 2. There are no dates on it, but what distinguishes it from others I've seen is the stacking hook under the muzzle. It's carbine length and has a turned down bolt, and is 8mm. Could this be a WW 1 K98A carbine? Thanks

February 11, 2000, 11:29 PM	#2
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Hi, Noban, It sounds like a 98a. What are the receiver ring markings? The 98a has a front sight with curced sideguards, and a bayonet lug almost at the end of the barrel. Jim

February 12, 2000, 12:49 AM	#3
Noban Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 1999 Posts: 662	Hi Jim - I don't see any markings on the receiver except for "K98". Yes the front sight guards are curved and the bayo lug is where you stated. What I have noticed upon closer inspection is that the receiver, butt plate and stock all have matching numbers. This rifle was in a closet of an older fellow who recently passed away, and God only knows how long he had it and where it came from. His widow was kind enough to give it to me.

February 12, 2000, 12:59 AM	#4
Schmit Staff Alumnus Join Date: March 11, 1999 Location: Masquito infested flatlands of Mid-FL Posts: 1,857	Moving topic over to Harley Nolden's Institute for Firearms Research forum. ------------------ Schmit GySgt, USMC(Ret) NRA Life, Lodge 1201-UOSSS "Si vis Pacem Para Bellum"

February 12, 2000, 06:01 AM	#5
Harley Nolden Staff In Memoriam Join Date: January 8, 1999 Location: Brunswick,GA USA Posts: 1,884	Noban: Here's a little trivia on the 98, thought you may be interested. MAUSER Model: 98 Designer: Peter & Paul Mauser Year of Mfg: 1889-1925 Caliber: 7.92mm (8mm) rimmed Action: Turnbolt Length: Barrel Length: 30.67" rifle 21.65" Carbine 15.75" Short Carbine Grooves: M-Velocity: The M98 was the first highly successful Mauser action designed for a powerful smokeless powder, rimless military cartridge. It was also the first Mauser action designed to load the magazine with a charger, stripper clip,. This action set the general pattern for other Mauser turnbolt rifle actions which followed, with changes and improvements that made Mauser actions a standard throughout the world. A great many of these rifles were made in the Belgian government arsenal in Liege. Many were also made in Birmingham, England, at a plant set up and operated by Belgian refugees. An American firm, Hopkins & Allen, obtained a contract and made many of these rifles for Belgium prior to WWI. Mauser action is the basis of design for most every turnbolt rifle in the world today. This includes the military and the civilian model rifles of todays manufacture. During the era most all countries used the Mauser design, to include the United States, who bought patent rights to design the M1903 Springfield. These actions (M1898) are still being manufactured today and there are still some of the old original actions being sold on the civilian market. Many gunsmiths prefer this action, new or old, to build custom rifles in varing calibers to include shotguns. After WWII restrictions placed on the Germans to, manufacture military rifles. However, they could manufacture sporting rifles and shotguns. This prompted Germany to rebarrel and convert the M1898 Mauser rifle to a two shot shotgun. This shotgun was produced in, 12, 16, and 20 gauge. These shotguns were eventually imported into the US and sold on the open market. I have personally owned one of these shotguns and found it to make and excellent slug gun. HJN

February 14, 2000, 04:07 PM	#6
CHEMNCO917 Guest Posts: n/a	This may be helpful.... Manufacturer Receiver Date Berlin-Luebecker 237 1938 Berlin-Luebecker 237 1939 Berlin-Luebecker 237 1940 Berlin-Luebecker DUV 42 Feinmechanische Werke S/27 1937 Feinmechanische Werke 27 1938 Feinmechanische Werke 27 1940 Feinmechanische Werke AX 1940 Feinmechanische Werke AX 41 Gustloff Werke 337 1940 Gustloff Werke BCD 43 J. P. Sauer & Sohn S/147 1937 J. P. Sauer & Sohn 147 1938 J. P. Sauer & Sohn 147 1939 J. P. Sauer & Sohn 147 1940 J. P. Sauer & Sohn CE 41 J. P. Sauer & Sohn CE 42 Mauser-Werke S/42 1937 Mauser-Werke S/243 1937 Mauser-Werke 42 1938 Mauser-Werke 243 1938 Mauser-Werke S/243 1938 Mauser-Werke 42 1939 Mauser-Werke 243 1939 Mauser-Werke 243 1940 Mauser-Werke AR 41 Mauser-Werke AR 42 Mauser-Werke AR 43 Mauser-Werke CE 43 Mauser-Werke BYF 44 Styer-Daimler-Puch 660 1940 Styer-Daimler-Puch BNZ 4 Waffenwerke Bruenn DOU 44 Waffenwerke Bruenn DOU 45

February 5, 2007, 04:19 AM	#8
Harley Nolden Staff In Memoriam Join Date: January 8, 1999 Location: Brunswick,GA USA Posts: 1,884	STEVE: Depending on condition of course, if I had a mind to buy it I would go as high as $200.00. I owned one many years ago, and liked it a lot. There aren;t too many around any more and to me Mauser is a Mauser, like Mercedez is Mercedez Harley