Expert Opinion - Identification of K98 German Rifle

[Daven]

Hello all,

as recommended by the experts here on the forum, here is my first thread on the identified K98.

If more pictures needed, please let me know.

Thank you all in advance! I appreciate!

Happy discussing!

Thanks!

Daven

[AndyB]

Your rifle started life as Gew.98b probably as Simson 1925, question remains it was periodically refurbished into Kar98k, which could be so done post 1935, the marking on receiver speaks for israeli using post 1945, most real the buttstock is too replacement there, as similar buttstock was used in end of war. The bayonet is nice S84/98 , made by Durkopp Bielefeld most real in period 1938-39(spine of blade) marked with KM inventory stamp of Ostsee. Normally should be matched with scabbard.personally i dont believe this bayonet was used by Israel, but was mixed postwar probably.

[Rescue190]

AndyB's description is spot on.
John

[Kilian]

I am not sure from these photographs, but is the rear sight missing?

The “Orion” mark on the receiver was used by Zeughaus Hege in Überlingen, Germany, when they imported the gun back into Germany.

I assume Hege then sold it to Frankonia. The “F over W over W” mark stands for Frankonia Waffen Würzburg, Germany, who probably had this gun deactivated (BKA diamond mark) and sold it to collectors in one of their shops.

This gun has had an eventful life since it was first made in the Weimar Republic.

[AndyB]

Yes the postwar markings are so as Kilian described, Orion and Frankonia.

[weller]

Nice riife. I'm not that familiar with 1920's Mausers, not sure if I've seen many before, especially a 1925 Simson. Here is my 1934-35 Mauser factory conversion changing some features Gew98 closer to K98. See if your rifle has S/42K markings.

Gew 98 - Danzig 1915 - S/42K

[Daven]

Hi all,

AndyB & Killian your are awesome and amazing!

I am very thankful to all of you for your feedback and the perfect identification and intepretation of the stampings and marks. For me its a very very interesting rifle with a lot of history. Thats why I am a collector!

As weller mentionend, today I will take a closer look to each part of the rifle and try to find more marks, especially the S/K one. I also will post a few more pictures.

For the bajonett I will post a separate thread. All markings of the bajonett and the scabbard are matching. So it should be a nice piece, also.

Thank you again!

Best regards

Daven

[Daven]

Hi all,

some additional pictures and markings.

Unfortunately the rear sight and I think the „reload stick“ are missing?

[AndyB]

I assume some mixed parts there. some clearly israeli production.

[Daven]

Hi AndyB,

do you think the rifle is too much „Frankenstein“ or is it worth to stay in a collection?

Thanx!

Daven