German K98 Israeli Mauser Steyr bnz 7.62 NATO Bolt Action Rifle C&R
SOLD FOR: $1135
LSB#: 220224AH016
Make: Steyr, Austria. In 1944 “bnz” was the wartime code for Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG.
This Mauser later served for Israel.
Model: K98
Serial Number: 123
Year of Manufacture: 1944
Caliber: 7.62 NATO (7.62x51mm)
Originally 8mm Mauser
Action Type: Bolt Action, Internal Magazine
Markings: The import mark on the rear sight base “ARMSCORP SLVR SPG MD MOD 98 GER”. The top of the receiver is marked “bnz / 44” (German marks) as well as “7.62”, with a “six pointed star” and a “circled Hebrew character” (Isrealii marks). The left side of the receiver has had the “eagle / swastika” and serial number removed. It has been stamped with the new serial number “123” and still retains the original “Mod. 98”. The right side of the receiver is marked with overstamped characters. The barrel shank is marked with an Israeli stamp that contains Hebrew characters. The right side of the rear sight base is marked with 3 faded German “eagle” inspection stamps. The bolt handle is marked with the new serial number. The bottom of the bolt handle is marked with “eagle” inspection stamps. Some of the remaining metal parts are marked with numbers that do not correlate to the new serial number. The bottom of the butt is marked “7.62”. The left side of the butt and rear of the buttplate are each marked with an Israeli stamp that contains Hebrew characters.
Barrel Length: Approximately 23 ¾ Inches
Sights / Optics: The front sight is an inverted “V” post set atop a ramped base and under a protective hood. The rear sight is a “V” notched blade attached to a sliding sight escalator marked from “1-20”.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The wood stock has a pistol grip, scallop for the bolt handle, finger grooves, nosecap with bayonet lug, hole for the missing cleaning rod, barrel band with sling bar, through bolt, sling well, sling pass through and a metal buttplate. The wood shows numerous scrapes, scratches, and compression marks. Several of these marks have damaged small areas of the surface wood. The LOP measures 13 1/4 inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is bright; semi bright near the muzzle. The rifling is deep. There is light erosion in the grooves near the muzzle. The bore shows an M.E. of 0.0.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 96% of its metal finish as refinished. Scratches, tool marks and areas of surface erosion show through the new finish. The metal shows scrapes, small scratches and areas of discoloration. Some of the screw heads show heavy use. Most of the markings are deep. Some of the small marksing have faded. Overall, this rifle rates in about to Very Good Plus condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: This marked German K98 Mauser was made by Steyr back in 1944 when Austria was part of the Third Reich. This Mauser most likely saw action during WWII.
After WWII, Mausers found their way to Israel. In 1948 Israel declared statehood and was immediately attacked. Many countries declared an arms embargo in the Middle East, so the Israelis bought what they could to fight. This is one of the K98 rifles acquired by Israel. It still has original Geman markings on it but the “swastikas” have been removed.
In the 1950s these K98’s were converted to 7.62 NATO and became a standard for the Israelis into the 1970s. The “7.62” is marked on the receiver and stock to denote this.
For more, see pg. 168 of “Bolt Action Military Rifles of the World” by Joe Puleo.