Israeli '98

[7mmBRmostly]

Was busy today with this...
The bore is excellent, bolt is matching. Looks like a phosphatized finish to me, sort of gray-green, especially on the bolt, shroud and follower, bottom metal,even the bbl, not sure about the receiver. So the SWP45 means Waffen Werke Brün (what does that tell me please, googling is a bit confusing re Czech or German, Waffen is German to me!) and is three digit serial number at all special? I have had some good help with value, any further knowledgeable comment on value is appreciated. The only crack is shown, very minor at the end of the top wood. Underside of butt is burned with the large 7.62. Thanks in advance

 

[kjohn]

Check your PM box. I sent a link to a nice chart.

 

[7mmBRmostly]

Thank you Ken, that clarifies my confusion about country of mfg , as Bystrica indicates my gun was mfg in Czech, just that the Germans named the plant.
Regards

 

[Mike Webb]

Actually your rifle was was made at Brno in Czechoslovakia or Waffenwerke Brunn as the occupying Germans called it. Maker codes DOT or SWP were made at Brno, Code DOU were made at Bystrica, Czechoslovalkia or Waffenwerke Bystrica. After WW2 the Czechs began manufacturing K98k's for export. They used up existing supplies of German marked parts not wanting to waste them. Many post war produced Czech k98's will be marked with a WaA63 as well as the Czech lion proof. If your SWP receiver was actually produced for Germany it will have a lower case serial number suffix, post war Czech production will have an upper case suffix. Post war also have the siderail marked NARODNI PODNIK ZBROJOVKA BRNO.
Wartime produced SWP rifles would have stamped and welded barrel and sling bands, no bayonet lug and bolt takedown hole in the buttplate. These are known as Kreigsmodell rifles. They are scarce in original trim and the very last produced had a crude sheet metal rear sight. The factory was over run by the Soviets and completed rifles were taken away to the USSR. Originals are highly coveted by late war collectors and very pricey.
Yours was likely a post war purchased by Israel in 8x57 calibre and rebarreled to 7.62 NATO in Israel. They are nice rifles of good quality.

 

[Claven2]

interesting that the israelies bothered to patch over the bolt takedown disc.

 

[Butcherbill]

Nice, I love the dark stock. I've always liked the Israeli k98's, I will have to keep my eyes open for one.