Portuguese K98???

[Duncan Idaho]

I recently acquired a K98 but this one has a few quirks that I have never seen so it has my curiosity up. I can't post pics.

It is the Karabiner short rifle, Oberndorf markings, 1941, serial is G13913. The butt is very different from other 98s I have seen as it has a metal washer on either side of the butt, with a hole passing through from one side to the other. Not sure what the function of this part is but it is separate from the sling attachment. Also of interest is the Porto crest stamped into the wood on the inside of the butt.

Guessing this is either one of the Portuguese contract rifles or a post war transfer that found its way to Portugal. But, the additional hole in the stock with the metal washer has me intrigued.

Subject matter experts?

 

[CanadianAR]

Every German army K98k had these discs from 1933 to late 1944.
They are for disassembly of the bolt. Sounds like you have a port
Contract as mentioned.

 

[CanadianAR]

All M1941 port contract guns have the crest in the wood as well.

 

[gaff]

Oberndorf markings? does it have the Portuguese crest on the reciever ring?

 

[CanadianAR]

It should have “Mauserwerke-Oberndorf” on the side rail, the G prefix serial number is a Port M1941 serial number.

 

[diopter]

 

[diopter]

There was also a 1937 Model (M937) that had a flat metal butt plate instead of the 1941's cup butt plate.

Note the front sight based on 1904 Vergueiro

My father was issued one of these according to his Portuguese Military book.

 

[CanadianAR]

Actually some of the F block or rather most of the F block from the 1941 contract also had flat buttplate.