German 98AZ Carbine Double Date Mauser 8mm K98 Bayonet Bolt Action C&R
SOLD FOR; $1220
LSB#: 210918MW38
Make: Erfurt Arsenal, Germany
Model: 98AZ Carbine. Later designated as the Model 98a.
Serial Number: 1960
Year of Manufacture: 1915
Caliber: 8mm Mauser (7.92x57mm)
Action Type: Bolt Action, Internal Magazine
Markings: The import mark on the barrel is partially stamped. It reads “GERMANY 8MM / C.A.I. ST. ALB. VT.”. The top of the receiver is marked “7,9”, with a “1920” German Military property mark, and “crown / ERFURT / 1915”. The left side of the receiver is marked with the serial number, with a German “eagle” and “Kar 98” in German script. The right side of the receiver is marked with 4 “crowned letter” stampings. The bottom metal is marked with the serial number, the last 2 digits of the serial number, and with 3 crowned letters. The bottom of the bolt handle is marked “K 2”. The rear of the bolt assembly, nosecap, and barrel band are marked with numbers that do not correlate to the serial number. The bottom of the stock and rear of the buttplate are marked with the serial number. The left side of the buttstock is marked “1920”. The bottom of the grip, bottom of the butt, and right side of the butt are each marked with “crowned letters”. There are a few other small marks on the rifle.
The base of the Model 1884/98 Type III Bayonet blade is marked “Coppel G.m.b.H.” on the left and “243 / a” on the right. The base of the spine is marked “40”. The crosspiece is marked “N 23556k”. The left side of the pommel is marked with 2 partial “eagle / WaA253” Waffenamts. The top front of the scabbard is marked “243 / a” and the top rear is marked “Coppel “G.m.b.H. / 1940 / N 23556k”. The bayonet & scabbard are a matched pair.
Barrel Length: Approximately 23 ¾ Inches
Sights / Optics: The front sight is an inverted “V” post set between two protective ears. The rear sight is a “V” notched blade attached to a sliding escalator assembly marked from “3-20”.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The hardwood stock has a pistol grip, scallop for the bolt handle, nosecap with stacking rod, barrel band with sling bar, through bolt, sling well, sling pass through, and a metal buttplate. The buttplate and stock hardware show scratches and surface erosion. The wood shows numerous scrapes, scratches, and compression marks. Most of which have been oiled over. Several of the marks have damaged or removed small portions of the surface wood. The LOP measures 13 inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Good to Very Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The muzzle is grey and the grooves are dark. The rifling is deep; shallow at the muzzle. There is erosion in the bore; more prominent in the grooves.
Overall Condition: This rifle has lost its metal finish to oxidation. The metall shows scratches, discoloration from oxidation, surface erosion, and areas of pitting. The screw heads show use. The markings are deep, but some are eroded. Overall, this rifle rates in about Fair to Good condition.
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.
The bayonet mounts the rifle correctly.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The rifle comes with a Model 1884/98 Type III Bayonet, Scabbard, and Belt Frog. The bayonet and scabbard are a matched set. The bayonet blade has been polished & cleaned. It shows tool marks from the cleaning. The grip metal shows small scratches and surface erosion. The plastic grip shows scuffs. Overall the bayonet is in about Very Good condition. The metal scabbard shows scrapes & surface erosion. The leather belt frog shows scrapes, surface loss, and discoloration. The scabbard & frog are in about Good condition.
For more Bayonet info see worldbayonets.com/Bayonet_Identification_Guide/Germany__Post_WW_I_/Germany_1933_1945.html .
The rifle has a leather sling attached. The sling shows scrapes, surface cracking, soiling and discoloration. Overall it is in about Good condition.
Our Assessment: This WWI German Mauser Model 98AZ (98a) Carbine was made back in 1915 at the Erfurt Arsenal. This one has seen some use but still has scarce markings on the receiver that include a “1920 double date”. It comes with a Model 1884/98 Type III Bayonet, Scabbard, and Belt Frog. The matching bayonet and scabbard are the correct model for use with this rifle.
For more information on the 98AZ see pages 187-193 of Robert Ball’s book, Mauser Military Rifles of the World 5th Edition.
Here is some info on the “double date” from www.forgottenweapons.com/what-is-the-german-1920-double-date-stamp/: “…the “1920” stamp is not a date, but rather a property mark. When the Treaty of Versailles was being enforced, it restricted the German military to just 100,000 men, and strictly limited the number and types of arms they were allowed to have. At the same time, strict civilian gun control was enforced in an attempt to remove the leftover military arms from the war from Germany. In total, nearly 5 million firearms were collected and destroyed between roughly 1919 and 1921. The 1920 stamp on guns indicated formal (and legal) German military ownership of a particular weapon. This made it accountable to the Inter-Allied Military Control Commission (to the extent that they tabulated such things) and also made the gun easily identifiable if it were stolen from a military unit”.