K98 Bayonet

[tadam05]

Some of the knowledgeable CGN members might be able to answer a few questions I have on K98 bayonets. I recently picked up an original, all numbers matching 1938 K98 on the EE. It is a beautiful rifle, now I am trying to find a bayonet for it. In trying to determine the "proper bayonet", I do realize that the year on the bayonet should obviously match the rifles date of manufacture. When the rifle was originally issued for service, did the serial number on the bayonet and scabbord match the serial number on the gun? There was also numerous manufacturers that produced bayonets, being this rifle was produced by J.P. Sauer und Sohn, is there a certain bayonet manufacturer that this rifle was issued with, or would any 1938 dated bayonet be correct. I have done a fair amount of research on this, and keep coming up dry. Any help is greatly appreciated!

Tim.

 

[Coyote Ugly]

Depending on when the rifle was issued (month in the year), any 1937-1939+ Bayonet would be correct.
The bayonets were subcontracted and whatever was in the box alongside the crate of K98 rifles at the time is what you got.
Same thing with ammo pouches, helmets, etc. for makers and years.

The Portugese M1941 K98 and Bayo are numbered to the rifle; as well as for example the 1908, 1909, 1935 Brazilian and Argentine Contract Mausers for South America.

 

[Mike Webb]

Coyote is correct. The only K98k that had a matching bayonet was the '41 Portuguese and many of these have been seperated over the years. Fairly easy to find a bayo manufactured in those years for your rifle. Be interesting to see pics of the rifle if you can post some.

 

[joe n]

These guys are the experts, they got it right!
I used to collect matching k98 bayonets (as in matching, meaning they were serialed the same as the scabbard, not force matched or restamped, but how they came out of the factory). I have matching examples from 1936 through to 1944. The hardest one for me to find, believe it or not, was my 1938. But they are out there.
Your k98, if it was the one I as thinking of, appears to be an absolute gem! Prewar k98 rifles are preciously few, IMO, and are every bit as desireable as any wartime example (for me, I prefer prewar examples to late war, but that's just me).
Find yourself a scabbard matching k98, nice sling, cleaning kit, and maybe some original boxed ammo. You can also go after a set of pouches, and go from there. I even found an original k98 manual digging through old stuff while in Eastern Europe some years back.
Congratulations on your remarkable find! Take care of her, never get rid of it because the chances of finding another are not very good
Joe
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[tadam05]

Thanks for the help with this!

Mike Webb - Yes, I will definately post some pics tonight after work.

joe n - WOW, Very nice collection. It was the last numbers matching that came up on the EE, out of Ontario. It is in extremely good condtion! Apparently, in 1938, it was rare to have one with the laminate stock, which this one has. A bit of a bonus, in my opinion! I was going to bring one out of the U.S., but would rather support our CGN community.

Would it be a bad thing to fire a few rounds through it, or should it stay as is? What do you think?

Tim.

 

[CanadianAR]

If the rifle is in good shape, firing it should not be a problem. However you are taking a gamble if something breaks. Its only all matching once. No armourer part would ever fix it.
But I have fired one of my matching K98s.
Looking forward to more pics of this rifle.

 

[joe n]

I don't fire my matching pieces, not even the bolt mismatches. That's just me though. I know many others would. I bought them as collectables, and the less postwar wear and tear they have, the closer they remain to that period, IMO. I have some mismatched pieces I have no problems firing. Congratulations again

 

[drm3m]

joe n.

Beautiful collection.

tadam05, I absolutely agree with Joe’s suggestion regarding the addition of a bayonet.
Find a matching scabbard/ bayonet...it may take a while but I think that it is worth it.
A nice matching 1938 dated K98 is something that does not come along very often....that is when they were well made....as the war progressed ...something’s changed.

An old eBay purchase dated 1938 with some interesting ink stamps.

(Rear marking) Carl Ackva
Bad Kreuznach 1938

1938 and 1939 K98 ammo pouches.

This is a "clc" code matching bayonet dated 41 with matching scabbard.
Richard Herder , Abr. Stahlwaren und Werkzeugfabrik , Solingen,N-W (code clc)

If you are lucky enought to find a 38 or 39 dated dated bayonet..you are off to the races.

David

 

[tadam05]

DRM3M - All that stuff would make a nice addition to any mauser, I'm going to start with the bayonet and scabbord, unless something(ammo pouches and what not) shows up sooner. Thanks for the pics. Thanks for everybody's input, very much appreciated! I put some pictures up on the July purchases of the old mauser, have a look. Thanks.

 

[joe n]

drm3m has the most stunning collection of militaria I have ever seen. We are fortunate he shares his treasures with us on this forum. His collection is what we all strive to achieve, I believe

 

[Steve1987]

Welcome to 1938 matching K98k club

Joe: I agree that Davids collection is amazing. If you guys combined your collection of matching K98k's and Davids collection of pretty much every other significant WWII firearm I think it that would be better than most museums!!!

-Steve