SVW MB late war Mauser 98

[kjohn]

Some time back, I posted that I had gathered one of these. It was in a cut-down stock, but I happened to have a laminate Israeli stock, along with the two front bands, so I put the action in it. Not correct, but better than the bubba'd version.

I have learned a bit more about the SVW MB's. If made by the Germans, they will have German proofs. Mine is German marked, matching bolt, action, floorplate (byf), and trigger guard (SVW). If made under French Supervision, they would have a five point star, likely to the left of the serial number. Mine is 4708 c.

Here's an interesting tidbit: Found an ad for one, but made under French supervision. It has a lower serial number - 4586 c. It has a five point star to the left of the serial number. Hmm...

 

[jbmauser]

I remember the rifle. I think you sent me pics of it or posted some a while ago.

Production at MO was non linear, meaning they didn't finish them in order of serial. Various things could have held up any given rifle on the assembly line, causing it to be finished much later than it's serial would suggest. Most likely there would have been byf45's svw45's and svwMB's all on the line at the same time. The broken proof rifles are another excellent example of this. The broken proof stamp would have only been used for a short time late in 44-early 45 but there are known examples of byf44 L blocks in the 10k serial range with the stamp. That means those rifles were held up on the line and proofed and finished along with the high 80k range byf44 L blocks.

As far as the svwMB's go there are 4 basic levels of German/French production. 1:Full German production, final accepted and finished. 2:Full German but not final accepted (sitting on the line complete but not final inspected). 3: French proofed but in full German configuration. 4:French proofed and modified.

There are subtle variations in the 4 basic types and a lot more detail to each but it gives a basic idea of what to look for in svwMB's.

 

[kjohn]

jbmauser: Thank you for the information. Definitely helps to clear up the murk surrounding these rifles.