Israeli German K98k Mauser 7.62×51 NATO 23 1/2″ Bolt Action Rifle C&R 1943
SOLD FOR: $1,400.00
LSB#: LSB250602RN005
Make: Sauer and Sohn Waffenfabrik, Israeli arsenal rework
Model: K98k
Serial Number: K 2359
Year of Manufacture: 1943
Caliber: 7.62x51mm NATO
Action Type: Bolt action, internal 5 round magazine
Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked “K2359”, with a Star of David, and “Mod.98”. The top of the receiver is marked “7.62” and “ce”. The top of the bolt handle is marked “2359”. The right side of the barrel is marked “ARMSCORP SLVR SPG MD MOD 98 GER. The underside of the buttstock is marked “7.62”. There are various small Israeli and German proof marks scattered throughout. There is a tiny Star of David on the left side of the receiver ring.
Barrel Length: 23.5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a hooded blade post dovetailed into a small barrel-mounted base. The rear sight is a v-notch sliding escalator assembly marked 1-20.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The wood stock has a semi-pistol grip, scallop for the bolt handle, nose cap with bayonet lug, hole for the missing cleaning rod, barrel band with sling bar, through bolt, sling well, sling pass through, and a steel buttplate. The buttplate has impact marks and wear along the edges. There are compression marks, scuffs, and scratches throughout the wood. The LOP measures 13” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates a Very Fine overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is bright. There is no visible erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 9 out of 10.
Many military and C&R eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide. For example, the U.S. used corrosive ammunition throughout WWII. The U.S. military did not begin to phase out corrosive-primed ammunition until the 1950s.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 95% of its metal finish. There are scuffs, scratches and operational wear throughout the metal surfaces. There is thinning to the remaining finish on the receiver and magazine floor plate. The screw heads show moderate use but are still serviceable. The markings are well-defined. Overall, this rifle rates a Fine condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. 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 in Fine condition.
Our Assessment: The K98k was the standard issue service rifle for the German military from its introduction in 1935 to the conclusion of the Second World War in 1945. Based on the previous Gewehr 98 and taking lessons learned from the Kar 98a, the K98k was chambered in the stout 7.92x57mm cartridge. According to the WaffenAmt, this one was made at Sauer and Sohn Mauser-Werke, Borsigwalde Germany in 1943. The K98k would go on to have a long service life not only with Germany, but with many other countries in the form of military aid and via post-war refurbishment programs, such as with Norway and Israel.
The Haganah (Hebrew for “the Defense”) was a paramilitary organization operating in the British Mandate of Palestine as a defense force for the Jewish community there. They quietly imported many weapons for their nascent army, and the largest number of these were Mausers from Czechoslovakia — one of the few countries willing to defy the British import ban. When war broke out in 1948, the new Israeli Defense Force used everything they had in the desperate Arab-Israeli War. As semi-auto rifles became available, Mausers were refurbished and converted to the much more easily supplied 7.62×51 NATO cartridge.
This is an example of an Israeli K98k. This rifle was one of those that were rechambered, which is easily discernible given the large “7.62”s that are marked on the receiver. The stock has a little operational wear but is still in Fine shape. The bore has shallow rifling but there should be more than enough left to make it an effective shooter.
The presence of a Star of David on a German Mauser tells quite a story. This rifle is a veteran of two wars. This would fit in well into any Mauser or Israeli collection. Please see our photos. -C.B.
