K98 with "Germany" stamped on it

N

NateC

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I have had my K98 for ~5 years now, shot it once and it has just sat in my rifle cabinet. It seems to be all matching (all numbers stamped) except for the stock, and everything appears to have the same even finish. All the Swastikas are there, and nothing is crossed out.

But one thing I do not know; is why does it have "Germany" stamped on the barrel? Would that have been an import mark perhaps? Obviously it wasn't put on by the German maker.

It doesn't appear to be a Yugo/Czech/Russian capture.
 
What is the code and year of your rifle? Do you see a serial number on the barrel as well? I believe when "Germany" is stamped on the barrel, this was a postwar export part. Many 98 barrels were serialed to the rifle, but not all. So likely the original barrel was replaced. Any other markings on it?
 
joe n said:
What is the code and year of your rifle? Do you see a serial number on the barrel as well? I believe when "Germany" is stamped on the barrel, this was a postwar export part. Many 98 barrels were serialed to the rifle, but not all. So likely the original barrel was replaced. Any other markings on it?
Click to expand...

Off the top of my head, it's a 1943 DOU, rather well made too. Their does not appear to be a serial number on the barrel, would it be beneath the wood? I will take a better look at it when I get home.
 
JP said:
Old US Importation rule, rifle had to be stamped with country of origin.
Click to expand...

That is what I was thinking. Is it correct to assume some K98's (mine included) were imported straight from Germany instead of Russia/Czech/Yugo?
 
Dou rifles are absolutely beautiful, and the 1943 is a more difficult year to find than the 44 it seems. I don't understand why many collectors shun the DOU, they are one of my favorites. Yours may not have a serialed barrel at all, but should contain some wartime markings (WaA80 for instance).
Here is a matching late DOU44. In this instance the receiver has no serial, it is placed on the barrel.
dou44%20010.JPG
 
Originally Posted by JP
Old US Importation rule, rifle had to be stamped with country of origin.

That is what I was thinking. Is it correct to assume some K98's (mine included) were imported straight from Germany instead of Russia/Czech/Yugo?

Sorry I was not clear enough, the rule stated that it was be to stamped were it was made. At the time, the large US importers stamped any Nazi Mauser as German made period. Another example is the Mosin-Nagant Spanish Civil War surplus guns imported by Interarms (Sam Cummings Company in Virginia/England) were all stamped "Made in the USSR" even if they came out of Spain.
 
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