We are fascinated with the history surrounding WWII and the Nazis. You will find that anything with a swastika stamp or marking on it brings a premium price and interest. The military weapons of the Reich are no exception. I am always amazed (appalled) at the evil man is capable of perpetrating. I find myself curious as to how this evil can happen or even exist. To touch history is important. To understand history is even more important.

I have several Der Karabiner 98k and am surprised with myself that I have not written much about them. Recently I had the fortune to pick up one of the Russian capture 98k rifles that we have all seen advertised on the internet and throughout ads in Shotgun News. These rifles are usually adorned with all of the original Nazi stamps and markings. The other 98ks in my collection are Yugo reworks that have had all the markings ground off and replaced with Yugoslavian communist markings. One specimen does have some SS markings underneath the barrel and receiver that I describe in another article about markings on German rifles.

My Russian capture 98k was built in 1938 at the Mauser-Werke, AG, Oberndorf am Nectar. Using Terence W. Lapin's book - Mauser Military Rifle Markings I was able to decipher most of the markings on my rifle.  I have found Mr. Lapin's book to be an excellent resource that I use extensively while answering the questions I get in email from readers asking "when and where" was my Mauser made? 

In figure 2 you can see four distinct marks:

1. Bore diameter =  7,9 (meaning 7.92x57mm);
2. Early arsenal marking of = 42 (variations on 42 include: S/42K, S/42G, S/42, BYF, and SVW);
3. Date of manufacture = 1938;
4. The small eagle and swastika markings found on the 98k during WWII are called Waffenamt markings (Weapons Administration or Ordnance Department).

These Waffenamt markings usually have a WaA (beneath the eagle and swastika) followed by a two or three digit code noting the inspector. This rifle has the number 63 which corresponds to Mauser Werke A.G., Oberndorf-am-Neckar (for the years: 1936-39). This at least tells me that the Waffenamt marks are most likely original and correct as they match the arsenal code of 42 and the year 1938 stamped on the top of the receiver.

Per Lapin's book the German's had a slang term for the eagle stamp: Plattgeier, which translates to "Flat Vulture".

Kind of appropriate in my opinion.

I used to be apprehensive that I would damage the bore with the use of corrosive ammo. Now I feel much more at ease since I have developed a good corrosive ammo cleaning regimen. After shooting and before I clean with a good bore solvent I strip down the bolt and wipe it down with a rag dampened with Windex w/ Ammonia. I then pass a couple patches down the bore dampened with the same. Afterwards I proceed with my normal cleaning process for a bolt action rifle. The ammonia helps break down the corrosive salts that most petroleum based bore cleaners will not. Soap and water will also do the job. This is what has been used for centuries in black powder firearms. You might want to skip the bear grease though!

In figure 10 you see what I mean about the sight picture. In the far right you can see two NRA standard SR-1 100 Yard Military targets. Lining up the 98k's open sights on the small center of the target is difficult at best for me. I guess the one thing I can say is the 98k's rear sight is much more refined than the Yugo m48 or Czech vz24 sights. Still not enough to make a difference for me.

I love the chase of playing detective on the trail of the history of a military firearm. As I have said before to hold such history in my hands is a real thrill indeed. It is nice when the trail is still marked so well and easy to follow.

jlm ;)