WWII German Mauser Model KKW .22 LR Bolt Action K98 Training Rifle, MFD 1940-1944 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,900
LSB#: 191018JB06
Make: Mauser
Model: Kleinkaliber Wehrsportgewehr
Serial Number: 3860
Year of Manufacture: 1940-1944
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Action Type: Single Shot Bolt Action Rifle
Markings: The left of the barrel is marked “KAL. 22 LANG FUR BUCHSEN”, “3860”, “D.F.”, “A71” with an odd mark and eagle over “N”. The left of the receiver is marked with eagle over “N”, the top of the chamber ring is marked with a large Mauser banner logo, the top of the bridge is marked “KK-WEHRSPORTGEWEHR / MAUSER-WERKE A.-G. OBERNDORF a/N.”. The top of the bolt handle is marked “3860” and eagle over “N”. The sling inlet on the right of the stock is marked “N”.
Barrel Length: 26” (66cm)
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed into the top of a hooded, banded base on the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a “V” notched sliding elevator sight. The top of the elevator is marked in 25 meter increments from “25” to “200”. There is no provision for mounting an optic or peep-sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with a nosecap, barrel band holding the handguard in front of the front sight, bolt disassembly discs on each side, and smooth steel buttplate. There is a pass-through sling cut with a post on the right of the buttstock and the barrel band has a sling ring on the left side. The stock has a chip loss on the left edge between the barrel band and nosecap, small losses around the barrel band spring on the right, nicks nd dings at the shelf for the barrel band on the stock and handguard, some scattered light compressions, scuffs and scratches, sling wear on the left below the receiver, and a couple of more notable compressions on the left of the grip toward the bottom and on the bottom-left of the stock just forward of the bottom metal. The LOP measures 13 1/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has scattered light wear and surface erosion. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with light wear in the rifling. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 87% of its metal finish. There are a few scattered light marks. The majority of the balance in the finish is in scattered light surface oxidation, most notable on the bolt body due to it not being finished. The bottom metal has some thinning and also shows light surface oxidation. The rear sight base and barrel band also show finish loss and light surface oxidation. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. It has a Mauser 3 position safety: up blocks the trigger and to the right blocks both the trigger and the bolt. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with a leather sling which shows moderate wear with surface erosion on the slider, in about Good condition.
Our Assessment: This is a Kleinkaliber Wehrsportgewehr, roughly translated as a Small Caliber Military Sport Rifle, made by Mauser between 1940 and 1944. The KKW was a .22 caliber training rifle made by several German companies during WWII as a development of a German program to encourage civilian marksmanship which started with the DSM-34. The KKW addressed concerns that the DSM-34 was not close enough in handling characteristics and appearance to the military issue K98. Improvements included a bayonet lug and dimensions much closer to the military issue rifle. The program was aimed at drilling of citizens with military training rifles under the guise of recreational marksmanship rather than explicit military training, starting before the war and continuing and expanding during the war. This example comes with a leather sling which does not appear to be original to the gun. The rifle is in about Very Good condition with about 87% of its metal finish, a great bore, and strong mechanics. This is a neat little piece of WWII history and ought to interest the collectors. For the shooters, this is a simple, reliable single-shot .22 that should make for a fun day at the range. Please see our photos and good luck!