Mauser ID help needed

[Centurion]

I bought this rifle as part of a collection and was never too sure of just what I got. The previous owner thought it was a very late WWII Czech manufactured 98k. As you can see in the photos, mostly stampings, no markings on top of receiver.

Looking through Mauser Military Rifles of the World, 2nd Ed (Robert Ball) I came across a paragraph on the Israeli Czech Model 98k Carbine. Sold around 1948 by Czechoslovakia to agents for shipment into Palestine, in preparation for Israeli independence. A combination of arsenal refinished and parts either new or from existing stock. All had oversized winter trigger guard.

Any opinions if this is one of those weapons?
Has anyone else come across one of these?
Can anyone identify the proof mark in front of the serial number? (matching on barrel), a Hebrew letter in circle?

The top of the receiver would appear to have been factory milled to remove previous markings. Walnut stock, bore looks new. 4-digit serial number, unfortunately bolt mis-matched. Was not converted to 7.62 NATO, so not sure if ever made it to Israel.

 

[4b1t]

Looking through Mauser Military Rifles of the World, 2nd Ed (Robert Ball) I came across a paragraph on the Israeli Czech Model 98k Carbine. Sold around 1948 by Czechoslovakia to agents for shipment into Palestine, in preparation for Israeli independence. A combination of arsenal refinished and parts either new or from existing stock. All had oversized winter trigger guard.

Any opinions if this is one of those weapons?
Has anyone else come across one of these?
Can anyone identify the proof mark in front of the serial number? (matching on barrel), a Hebrew letter in circle?

The top of the receiver would appear to have been factory milled to remove previous markings. Walnut stock, bore looks new. 4-digit serial number, unfortunately bolt mis-matched. Was not converted to 7.62 NATO, so not sure if ever made it to Israel.

Definitely post war Czech manufacture and "circle T" proof (for want of a better description) is found on all of them, not indicative of Israeli issue. The same marking is found on East German TGF 1950 K98ks built by the Czechs for example.

It "may" be Israeli as not all were converted/re-arsenaled into 7.62 from 7.92. The Israelis identified 7.92 versions with grooves in the bolt handle for visual and tactile recognition, but if as you say the bolt is mismatched then it could have been swapped for a generic bolt sometime later. You'll have to look for other evidence or other markings to determine if it was used by the Israelis.

I suspect it is not Israeli, but a very nice post war Czech K98k nonetheless. They seem quite common in Canada in good condition, I have a few.

 

[Centurion]

Thanks 4b1t, this helps. At least I can be certain it was not built as someones basement project. Do all of these post-war Czech have the winter trigger guard?

 

[4b1t]

Thanks 4b1t, this helps. At least I can be certain it was not built as someones basement project. Do all of these post-war Czech have the winter trigger guard?

No not all. Some have milled triggerguards, and all milled parts for that matter, others are a mix.

The Czech TGF 1950s have a standard sized stamped triggerguard that is unique to that contract, completely unlike wartime stamped triggerguard/ floorplate assemblies. They also incorporate a stamped band side-mounted front swivel that swivels , unlike the more common fixed bar mount.

I've never been able to ascertain the timeline on postwar Czech production as to when they switched or what the rationale was. Logic would dictate that early runs used left over wartime parts stock that was gradually supplanted by new made stock, but the timeline is murky on the variations.

Interesting field of study and very nice rifles too.

 

[deanml]

My K98 is very close to identical. The barrel bands, and trigger guard are the same. But the proof marks are different. Mine has a Czech lion on the barrel, left side and receiver, left side. The markings on top of the reciever ring have been ground off, but some traces remain. I found a k98 at auction that had intact markings on the ring which were identical to mine. Turns out it was a big Czech lion originally. I'll see if I can dig up a picture. There is another fellow on this iste who has a k98 3 serial number off from mine, I dont' recall his name though.