Portuguese Contract K98k
- Thread starter albertacowboy
- Start date
student of history
CGN Regular
There are two main variations of the Portuguese contract rifles (1937 contract and 1941 contract). I'll assume that you're looking for info on the the 1941 contract rifles...
Here's some basic information which I borrowed from the k98k forum:
"The Mauser M941 contract was signed on July, 15, 1941, for the purchase of 50.000 rifles, to be delivered in 10 batches of 5.000. But serial numbering had some problems. The first 4 batches had consecutive numbers, but after the 23.000 rifle- the Germans made an emergency requisition that interrupts the serial number sequence. The remaining batches are delivered with serial numbers from F to I, and only H batch would have complete and consecutive numbers."
"Armamento do Exército Português Vol. I- Armamento Ligeiro" – Pages 142 and 143. ISBN 972-8816-43-X.
These rifles were manufactured by Mauser Werke Oberndorf so their characteristics closely resemble the German coded byf rifles as they were being produced in the same factory at the same time. For this reason you will find that the parts are stamped with Mauser's 135 and 655 WaA codes. Beyond this I'll note that the finish is typically a very elegant dark blue colour and that the stocks are usually a distinctive light brown walnut.
Another important point I'll make is that although the F,G and H block rifles are all stamped "1941" on the receiver (with the Portuguese Crest) - they were not all actually manufactured in 1941. This likely has to do with the Germans' inability to supply their own soldiers fast enough (after Operation Barbarossa). In actuality the latter portion of the G block was likely produced in 1942 while the H block *could* have been produced as late as 1943. For this reason the F block rifles typically display similar attributes to byf 41 manufactured rifles whereas the latter two blocks display attributes which closely resemble the byf 42 and byf 43 rifles. The most noticeable difference is that midway through the G block the rifles changed from flat butt plates to cupped but plates. I'm of the opinion that the first cupped butt plate rifles you start seeing in the G block are the ones produced in early 1942.
Another noticeable difference can be found in how the stocks were stamped. I've found that the vast majority of the F block and early G block rifles are stamped w/ three eagles on the right of the butt with a "H" which typically signifies Heer ownership. The latter half of the G block and subsequent H block rifles are simply stamped with one WaA 135 eagle.
Here are a few photographs of a rifle that I once owned. This one was s/n 1647 of the F block so it was among the first to be produced. For this reason it displays the attributes of a byf 41 rifle (as I was explaining earlier). The last point I'll make before I end is that the Germans requestioned a number of these rifles after they invaded Russia so it's possible to find them in used condition like the one I've linked directly below OR in brand new out of the box condition (as displayed in the second link). From personal experience I find that most of the minty time capsule pieces come from the G and H block as they were likely sent to Portugal instead of being rerouted back into German hands.
Here's my old F block:
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/955745-Matching-K98-Photo-Shoot
Jeremy I hope you don't mind me posting your rifle here but the photos are just so well done that I figured it would be a good training aid for this chap.
Here's what the later G and H block rifles look like:
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1122998-Matching-H-block-Port-K98k
I hope this info was helpful to you.
- Chris
Here's some basic information which I borrowed from the k98k forum:
"The Mauser M941 contract was signed on July, 15, 1941, for the purchase of 50.000 rifles, to be delivered in 10 batches of 5.000. But serial numbering had some problems. The first 4 batches had consecutive numbers, but after the 23.000 rifle- the Germans made an emergency requisition that interrupts the serial number sequence. The remaining batches are delivered with serial numbers from F to I, and only H batch would have complete and consecutive numbers."
"Armamento do Exército Português Vol. I- Armamento Ligeiro" – Pages 142 and 143. ISBN 972-8816-43-X.
These rifles were manufactured by Mauser Werke Oberndorf so their characteristics closely resemble the German coded byf rifles as they were being produced in the same factory at the same time. For this reason you will find that the parts are stamped with Mauser's 135 and 655 WaA codes. Beyond this I'll note that the finish is typically a very elegant dark blue colour and that the stocks are usually a distinctive light brown walnut.
Another important point I'll make is that although the F,G and H block rifles are all stamped "1941" on the receiver (with the Portuguese Crest) - they were not all actually manufactured in 1941. This likely has to do with the Germans' inability to supply their own soldiers fast enough (after Operation Barbarossa). In actuality the latter portion of the G block was likely produced in 1942 while the H block *could* have been produced as late as 1943. For this reason the F block rifles typically display similar attributes to byf 41 manufactured rifles whereas the latter two blocks display attributes which closely resemble the byf 42 and byf 43 rifles. The most noticeable difference is that midway through the G block the rifles changed from flat butt plates to cupped but plates. I'm of the opinion that the first cupped butt plate rifles you start seeing in the G block are the ones produced in early 1942.
Another noticeable difference can be found in how the stocks were stamped. I've found that the vast majority of the F block and early G block rifles are stamped w/ three eagles on the right of the butt with a "H" which typically signifies Heer ownership. The latter half of the G block and subsequent H block rifles are simply stamped with one WaA 135 eagle.
Here are a few photographs of a rifle that I once owned. This one was s/n 1647 of the F block so it was among the first to be produced. For this reason it displays the attributes of a byf 41 rifle (as I was explaining earlier). The last point I'll make before I end is that the Germans requestioned a number of these rifles after they invaded Russia so it's possible to find them in used condition like the one I've linked directly below OR in brand new out of the box condition (as displayed in the second link). From personal experience I find that most of the minty time capsule pieces come from the G and H block as they were likely sent to Portugal instead of being rerouted back into German hands.
Here's my old F block:
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/955745-Matching-K98-Photo-Shoot
Jeremy I hope you don't mind me posting your rifle here but the photos are just so well done that I figured it would be a good training aid for this chap.
Here's what the later G and H block rifles look like:
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1122998-Matching-H-block-Port-K98k
I hope this info was helpful to you.
- Chris
Last edited:
I don't think they made any in 43. Think things were wrapped up in 42.
Also production wasn't linear, there are cupped butt, less numbered, unissued F blocks as well. So there's no real set rules as far as letter blocks go.
OP they are exquisitely finished, nice rifles and usually well marked.
Also production wasn't linear, there are cupped butt, less numbered, unissued F blocks as well. So there's no real set rules as far as letter blocks go.
OP they are exquisitely finished, nice rifles and usually well marked.
FishDoc
CGN frequent flyer
I also had a gorgeous pair. Sold both.
yeah but show the beautiful belt-fed beast you have in their place!!! Still dreaming of that thrill - Cheers
Dr.Oz
