Mauser 98 S/42G

seanbetsy · September 2, 2012, 12:35 PM

Hello
I have recently purchased a K98 Mauser. It is in great shape all # matching through out the rifle. The problem I am having is the serial # is very low for an S/42G The serial is on barrel, reciever, bolt, stock.....even the screws. I know the gun is correct. I need an expert to give me there opinon. The serial is 1620 wich falls along the lines of a S/47G. any info would be great thanks

seanbetsy · September 2, 2012, 12:44 PM

trying to get some pictures up

SDC · September 2, 2012, 02:18 PM

S/42 shows this particular K98 was built by Mauser Werke, while the "G" date code shows it was manufactured in 1935; the German serial numbering system started over again at "1" for each manufacturer for each year of production, so you'll find identical serial numbers throughout each model for each year of production, and each manufacturer would have identical serial numbers. After each manufacturer hit 9999 for a particular model, they would add a serif letter to the back of the s/n, and continue through, so that 9999 would be followed by 1a, then 9999a would be followed by 1b, then 9999b would be followed by 1c, and so on.

Edit: Oops, too many 9s in my serial numbering layout.

seanbetsy · September 2, 2012, 07:09 PM

This is where I am a bit lost. My gun has no letter prefix they started 1935 with s/n 3526 on the s/42g mine is 1620 and I dont see how that is unless it was made in 1934. any ideas?

James K · September 2, 2012, 07:37 PM

German serial numbers normally went only to 9999 before adding a letter and reverting to 1.* They went 1 - 9999, then 1a - 9999a, 1b-9999b and so on.** Each manufacturer started over each year. So a full description of a German weapon would be something like "K.98k, made by Mauser (code byf), dated 1943, serial number 1234c"

Jim

*Mauser did make some rifles with 5 digit numbers.
** Leading zeros were not used, causing some owners to believe they have a very early rifle ("how can one of the first Mausers ever made be dated 1942?") when they do not.

Jim

JT-AR-MG42 · September 3, 2012, 07:42 AM

seanbetsy,

Sounds like you might be confusing observed serial numbers with actual production.

Most all collector groups use this method to better determine total production numbers for guns that no longer have the maker's data to work with.
They logically assume that since 3526 has been observed, it stands to reason that numbers 1 thru 3525 were made also.
Same goes for the high number observed. If highest is say 'N' block, then prefix blocks 'A' thru 'M' were probably made as well.
Of course no 'J' block for Mauser.

The huge quantity of RCs that entered this Country have greatly expanded knowledge on 98s as well as other German made guns.

In all honesty, most collectors I know, including myself, would not feel any one 4 digit serial (with or without the letter prefix) is more valuable than another.
Condition, condition, and condition are the driving forces on most all collectible firearms types values.

Some do like to collect the much more uncommon single and double digit guns.

That looks to be a nice looking rifle and I look forward to more detailed photos.

JT

seanbetsy · September 3, 2012, 09:11 AM

I will get more pics posted. any information you can tell me about this gun would be great. Thanks you guys

seanbetsy · September 3, 2012, 09:29 AM

Having a hard time downloading pics!

seanbetsy · September 3, 2012, 10:27 AM

and more pics!!!

seanbetsy · September 3, 2012, 01:28 PM

and more!!! Its a nice looking gun but I just dont know alot about them. What ever you can tell me would be great and if you need other pictures of a certain area Ill get them to you. Thanks

James K · September 3, 2012, 08:24 PM

There is a suffix letter, z, shown in picture #1576.

Jim

seanbetsy · September 3, 2012, 08:52 PM

I dont know if that is a Z or a lower case old german P It is on the reciever bolt and barrel as pictured. Do you know what this means? Would a suffix letter mean the same as a prefix letter. that the serial # has started over again?

James K · September 4, 2012, 01:51 PM

The Germans didn't use a prefix letter, only a suffix on German guns. They did use a prefix on Radoms. It is a suffix letter and I am quite certain it is a "z". (The font used by Mauser for those letters is not the same as the conventional fonts for German script - I don't know where they got it.)

After 9999z, they went to 1aa, and so on.

I don't know why the Germans limited numbers to four digits; perhaps just to make inventory easier and make it easier for the soldier to remember. In a company, it is probably unlikely that there would be two identical numbers and if there were the suffix letter should resolve the difficulty.

Jim

seanbetsy · September 5, 2012, 12:10 AM

Ok I see now. For some reason I thought it was a prefix after the serial # restarted. I am looking at this serial # way to hard. It appears they made a boat load of these. but it is difficult for me to find many that have sold or what they have sold for. If I search completed listing on Gunbroker I get like 3 hits. If I type in K98 I get 10,000 completed hits. Are they hard to find or is it just me? You may have guessed I dont deal with Mausers much. Thank you so much for the help

JT-AR-MG42 · September 6, 2012, 12:17 AM

Realized I typed prefix when I meant suffix as I believe none were made with a prefix.

You asked.
Your pictures lack the definition (lighting) for me to really judge the originality of the finish.
Really tight settings on your camera with bright lighting or natural light will help bear that out with photos of the proofs.
I'll hasten to add that what I can see looks straight.

Also, look for a number on the cleaning rod. It should match as well.
How about a shot of the butt markings and a couple of over-all shots.

Your best way to evaluate sales trends would be to track auctions of matching 98s to their completion, and I don't mean wasting your time following reserve ones.
Search k98, 98k, and k98k.

If you are looking to find a value, it will be a little longer search.
Millions of 98s were made, but the rate of attrition on the guns grows exponentially as you go back towards the early years.

What I mean is that it is much harder to find a 35 or 36 in the same condition as a 44 or 45.
The majority of the early rifles went with the two million Germans into Russia in 1941.

I would think the value to be at least 50%, if not more, than a 43 or 44 in similar condition.

JT

seanbetsy · September 9, 2012, 08:55 PM

I just threw it on Gunbroker. we will see what money it brings. Thanks for all the information if you want to check it out i put alot more pictures on the auction the auction # is 305453002 titled K98 Mauser S/42G First Year Production # Matching

September 2, 2012, 02:18 PM	#3
SDC Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2001 Location: People's Republic of Kanada Posts: 1,652	S/42 shows this particular K98 was built by Mauser Werke, while the "G" date code shows it was manufactured in 1935; the German serial numbering system started over again at "1" for each manufacturer for each year of production, so you'll find identical serial numbers throughout each model for each year of production, and each manufacturer would have identical serial numbers. After each manufacturer hit 9999 for a particular model, they would add a serif letter to the back of the s/n, and continue through, so that 9999 would be followed by 1a, then 9999a would be followed by 1b, then 9999b would be followed by 1c, and so on. Edit: Oops, too many 9s in my serial numbering layout. __________________ Gun control in Canada: making the streets safer for rapists, muggers, and other violent criminals since 1936. Last edited by SDC; September 3, 2012 at 09:26 AM.

September 3, 2012, 09:29 AM	#8
seanbetsy Junior Member Join Date: September 2, 2012 Posts: 10	Having a hard time downloading pics! Last edited by seanbetsy; September 3, 2012 at 10:21 AM.

September 2, 2012, 12:35 PM	#1
seanbetsy Junior Member Join Date: September 2, 2012 Posts: 10	Mauser 98 S/42G Hello I have recently purchased a K98 Mauser. It is in great shape all # matching through out the rifle. The problem I am having is the serial # is very low for an S/42G The serial is on barrel, reciever, bolt, stock.....even the screws. I know the gun is correct. I need an expert to give me there opinon. The serial is 1620 wich falls along the lines of a S/47G. any info would be great thanks

September 2, 2012, 07:09 PM	#4
seanbetsy Junior Member Join Date: September 2, 2012 Posts: 10	This is where I am a bit lost. My gun has no letter prefix they started 1935 with s/n 3526 on the s/42g mine is 1620 and I dont see how that is unless it was made in 1934. any ideas?

September 2, 2012, 07:37 PM	#5
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	German serial numbers normally went only to 9999 before adding a letter and reverting to 1.* They went 1 - 9999, then 1a - 9999a, 1b-9999b and so on.** Each manufacturer started over each year. So a full description of a German weapon would be something like "K.98k, made by Mauser (code byf), dated 1943, serial number 1234c" Jim Mauser did make some rifles with 5 digit numbers. * Leading zeros were not used, causing some owners to believe they have a very early rifle ("how can one of the first Mausers ever made be dated 1942?") when they do not. Jim

September 3, 2012, 07:42 AM	#6
JT-AR-MG42 Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2008 Posts: 555	seanbetsy, Sounds like you might be confusing observed serial numbers with actual production. Most all collector groups use this method to better determine total production numbers for guns that no longer have the maker's data to work with. They logically assume that since 3526 has been observed, it stands to reason that numbers 1 thru 3525 were made also. Same goes for the high number observed. If highest is say 'N' block, then prefix blocks 'A' thru 'M' were probably made as well. Of course no 'J' block for Mauser. The huge quantity of RCs that entered this Country have greatly expanded knowledge on 98s as well as other German made guns. In all honesty, most collectors I know, including myself, would not feel any one 4 digit serial (with or without the letter prefix) is more valuable than another. Condition, condition, and condition are the driving forces on most all collectible firearms types values. Some do like to collect the much more uncommon single and double digit guns. That looks to be a nice looking rifle and I look forward to more detailed photos. JT

September 3, 2012, 08:24 PM	#11
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	There is a suffix letter, z, shown in picture #1576. Jim

September 3, 2012, 08:52 PM	#12
seanbetsy Junior Member Join Date: September 2, 2012 Posts: 10	I dont know if that is a Z or a lower case old german P It is on the reciever bolt and barrel as pictured. Do you know what this means? Would a suffix letter mean the same as a prefix letter. that the serial # has started over again?

September 4, 2012, 01:51 PM	#13
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	The Germans didn't use a prefix letter, only a suffix on German guns. They did use a prefix on Radoms. It is a suffix letter and I am quite certain it is a "z". (The font used by Mauser for those letters is not the same as the conventional fonts for German script - I don't know where they got it.) After 9999z, they went to 1aa, and so on. I don't know why the Germans limited numbers to four digits; perhaps just to make inventory easier and make it easier for the soldier to remember. In a company, it is probably unlikely that there would be two identical numbers and if there were the suffix letter should resolve the difficulty. Jim

September 5, 2012, 12:10 AM	#14
seanbetsy Junior Member Join Date: September 2, 2012 Posts: 10	Ok I see now. For some reason I thought it was a prefix after the serial # restarted. I am looking at this serial # way to hard. It appears they made a boat load of these. but it is difficult for me to find many that have sold or what they have sold for. If I search completed listing on Gunbroker I get like 3 hits. If I type in K98 I get 10,000 completed hits. Are they hard to find or is it just me? You may have guessed I dont deal with Mausers much. Thank you so much for the help

September 6, 2012, 12:17 AM	#15
JT-AR-MG42 Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2008 Posts: 555	Realized I typed prefix when I meant suffix as I believe none were made with a prefix. You asked. Your pictures lack the definition (lighting) for me to really judge the originality of the finish. Really tight settings on your camera with bright lighting or natural light will help bear that out with photos of the proofs. I'll hasten to add that what I can see looks straight. Also, look for a number on the cleaning rod. It should match as well. How about a shot of the butt markings and a couple of over-all shots. Your best way to evaluate sales trends would be to track auctions of matching 98s to their completion, and I don't mean wasting your time following reserve ones. Search k98, 98k, and k98k. If you are looking to find a value, it will be a little longer search. Millions of 98s were made, but the rate of attrition on the guns grows exponentially as you go back towards the early years. What I mean is that it is much harder to find a 35 or 36 in the same condition as a 44 or 45. The majority of the early rifles went with the two million Germans into Russia in 1941. I would think the value to be at least 50%, if not more, than a 43 or 44 in similar condition. JT

September 9, 2012, 08:55 PM	#16
seanbetsy Junior Member Join Date: September 2, 2012 Posts: 10	I just threw it on Gunbroker. we will see what money it brings. Thanks for all the information if you want to check it out i put alot more pictures on the auction the auction # is 305453002 titled K98 Mauser S/42G First Year Production # Matching