Unknown Mod.98

[bstrongTO]

Would anyone know this bolt rifle MOD 98. The pictures are the only markings I can find.
Would appreciate any advice.
Thanks

 

[TDF]

Google "S/42G mauser", and you'll find plenty of info.

Early German issue military K98. Yours has been sporterized, likely quite some time ago by it's looks.

Has a nice vintage look to it and I dig double set triggers.

TDF

 

[bstrongTO]

Thanks for information, I googled it early and it came up with Mauser. Unfortunately I didn’t see any pictures like this one so didn’t know for sure. I must say it is the smoothest bolt action.

 

[ArizonaTea123]

It shows early Wiemar Republic eagles and Nazi eagles. It is a post-WWI MOD98 transitional rifle (made in 1935) that was reworked and issued for WWII and then later sporterized with double set triggers.
The trigger guard is not flush with the stock showing extensive wood work or sanding. The way the wood is shaped is typical of post-war German style sporting (hunting) rifles.
It looks to be in the original 8mm (7.92mm) mauser caliber.
The barrel and receiver have matching serial numbers. Typically, in German numbering conventions, every part will have a matching serial (last two digits).
The bolt appears to be unmodified.

 

[bstrongTO]

Thanks, the serial number is on every part. It looks like it has 7.91on the barrel?
In the picture the serial number is 2115, but the number by the site looks like 2775 near “DO” I can take better pictures.
Just wondering if it’s sort of a knock off or something?

 

[ArizonaTea123]

No, it's an original German made, and German modified. Most likely post-war built for a returning American GI.

 

[bstrongTO]

Thanks for your help!
Do you think it’s a shooter or put it back in the back of the safe.

 

[ArizonaTea123]

It's a shooter. It does have some value as a post-war bring back. Many GI's brought back original Mauser K98s, and purpose built converted K98s. It should make for an excellent dear rifle, especially with those set triggers. It hasn't been drilled for a scope. It still has it's original military iron sights.

 

[TDF]

I agree, shoot it. 8x57 ammo is easy enough to come up with.

Did the barrel get cut? Does it still have the military front sight?

If so, and if you wanted to, you could probably source all the correct military hardware/wood, and restore it to it's original military form. Since the bolt never got modified and it was never tapped for a scope.

I think it's matching numbers of 2115. Just a font that makes the 1's look like 7's at times.

TDF

 

[bstrongTO]

Thanks for the information.
Unfortunately it is one of the few that I have no information of how acquired.
When I mentioned shooter, Is it proper or disrespectful to shot for fun considering where it’s been?
But this seems like it’s already a sporting rifle?

 

[hittman]

They all were made to shoot.
Maybe be different if it were in great original condition and/or has some verified historical provenance.
But ….. it’s yours, do as you like.

 

[bstrongTO]

This was also in the back, Eddystone M1917 30.06?
For sure shooting this one, disregard the feeling’s.
The shooting range will be very confused again with all these wooden guns.

 

[TDF]

Yep 30-06 on the eddystone.

Shoot it as well. Shooting them won't hurt the condition of either of those guns, and will give you a reason to clean them up, and get a little oil rubbed into them.

What's the condition of the bore on the Eddystone? Dad had one of these with a well shot out bore, we were struggling to get it to shoot well, and since these are known for having oversize bores (original tooling was for the .303 brit round which is a few thousands larger than our 30-06), I was about to start experimenting with .312 bullets and see if I could get enough purchase on what was left of the rifling to get it to stabilize bullets, as he was hoping to take it deer hunting, but as his health is declining, and he started selling off his collection, it headed down the road last December. We of course disclosed the bore condition, and the next guy figured it would be his challenge to see if he could find a combination that would shoot.

TDF

 

[bstrongTO]

Thanks for bringing this up. I’m not sure how to take pictures and what it should look like, seems like a cleaning is necessary. Just to be clear if i were to shoot this after confirming everything, just regular 30.06 Springfield 180 grain soft point?

 

[TDF]

Doesn't look too bad borewise. From what I can see in the pics.

And yep any old off the shelf 30-06 will likely work fine. Or at least is where I'd start.

TDF

 

[ArizonaTea123]

The bore looks good. Needs a cleaning.

 

[Neon Vernon]

For the 1917 your best bet would be American Eagle or similar 150 gr FMJ, it'll have the best chance of shooting to the sight regulation.

I'm fond of the US Enfield and have had a couple, they're decent shooters - even with a bore worse than yours.

 

[GSP7]

Its a German Guild Rifle. Buy it.
What caliber/ cartridge is it?

German guild rifles are
high quality, custom, or small-batch firearms crafted by skilled gunmakers, often in traditional centers like Suhl, Germany, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Often built on Mauser 98 actions or as bespoke combination guns, they feature fine engraving, superior craftsmanship, and personalized hunting features.

 

[Neon Vernon]

It's likely made in the style of a guild gun, but it's a military barreled action complete with tangent sight. I'd say not an actual guild gun.

 

[bstrongTO]

Its a German Guild Rifle. Buy it.
What caliber/ cartridge is it?

Well that is what I was wondering, are talking about the model 98 picture or 1917 Eddy?
I’m hoping the Eddy is a 30.06 which I can use Remington 180 grain? The first one, model 98 I haven’t got a clear answer of what caliber or cartridge to buy.

 

[bstrongTO]

For the 1917 your best bet would be American Eagle or similar 150 gr FMJ, it'll have the best chance of shooting to the sight regulation.

I'm fond of the US Enfield and have had a couple, they're decent shooters - even with a bore worse than yours.

Would the standard Remington Springfield 180 30.06 still be good?
I doubt a bullet can make me a better shooter
I am such a amateur at all this and I can’t believe how all this knowledge was shared before this, I do remember the Yellow Pages and The Recycler

 

[TDF]

Your 98 mauser would have been originally chambered in 8x57 mauser. Sometimes called 8mm mauser. That one above has the original barrel, so is likely still in that caliber/cartridge, but an inspection by a qualified gunsmith might be in order if there is any doubt.

I also don't believe it is a guild gun. Just a sporterized 98, which was super common to do back in the day. I count a few in my safe that are similar.

TDF

 

[Neon Vernon]

Would the standard Remington Springfield 180 30.06 still be good?
I doubt a bullet can make me a better shooter
I am such a amateur at all this and I can’t believe how all this knowledge was shared before this, I do remember the Yellow Pages and The Recycler

Yes it will be fine with 30'06/180, I recommended 150 FMJ since that's the trajectory the ladder sight is calibrated for.

 

[GSP7]

Well that is what I was wondering, are talking about the model 98 picture or 1917 Eddy?
I’m hoping the Eddy is a 30.06 which I can use Remington 180 grain? The first one, model 98 I haven’t got a clear answer of what caliber or cartridge to buy.

Didnt see your P17..... I have a Rem 720 and a model 30

 

[bstrongTO]

Looks nice! I’m a little worried about the 20lb Eddy, can’t wait to see the reaction on my daughters face

 

[Jagdhund]

The S on the receiver could mean the 98 is chambered for the 7.92X57 Mauser (0.323") rather than the earlier 7.9X57 Mauser (0.318"). You don't want to fire the 7.92 bullets in a 7.9 bore. I would slug the bore to make sure.

 

[Neon Vernon]

It was built after the transition away from the .318 bore, the G denotes 1935 manufacture. The S/42 on the receiver ring is the code for Mauser Oberndorf.

 

[bstrongTO]

For the 1917 your best bet would be American Eagle or similar 150 gr FMJ, it'll have the best chance of shooting to the sight regulation.

I'm fond of the US Enfield and have had a couple, they're decent shooters - even with a bore worse than yours.

About the 1917 Eddy, Talked to a few people, they both said 150 gr since they are different than the rifles made now and not to put more pressure needed just to target practice. Sounded good to me as well

 

[bstrongTO]

The Unknown Mod 98 has been identified as a sporterised Mauser, legit modified for who ever chose to modify a classic gun to their preference back in the 1940s. The 8mm Mauser ammo is coming and can’t thank everyone for helping me research and learn alot.
I found everyone has their opinions on what your firearm is or what it’s not, customized, sporterised, or shameful to change from the originals. But what happened back in the 40-50s coming home with a piece of history and making it your gun to shoot at such a young age. Probably didn’t even think it would be passed down.
Most I have learned in this thread is Clean your gun!
Thanks I will post a picture of this unknown Mod. 98 after confirming it a proper shooter back from the 40s

 

[thinckley]

About the 1917 Eddy, Talked to a few people, they both said 150 gr since they are different than the rifles made now and not to put more pressure needed just to target practice. Sounded good to me as well

I have a Winchester 1917 that I use to hunt elk with. 165 gr Hornady SST's. It was sporterized and customized by my wife's great uncle for her grandfather, then further customized by me to add a muzzle break and a few inches to the stock.

It has dropped elk past 500 yards and shoots sub-moa. If I ever find one that isn't sporterized, I would probably jump at it.