Was this a real K98 sniper rifle or a clone

[ArmedGinger]

So I spotted this for sale and it caught my eye but some things are really confusing. It's a Yugo K98 but it appears to be a decent fake or maybe a real one?

So the first thing that caught my eye was the split ring side mount. I didn't think there was such thing as a split ring mount besides reproductions. Now that normally doesn't matter since I'm more interested in a shooter anyways.

The side mount had markings that appear to be peened for some reason? Not sure why if it's a reproduction mount?

Scope is period correct at least with the serial number putting it in the proper era

Yugo markings

Serial number of rifle is U6911, now U Block serial numbers are generally a good sign for a real sniper rifle

Bolt serial number matches

Bottom metal serial number does not. Not a big deal.

I know nothing about the extended safeties on K98 rifles. This has the serial number for the rifle but I don't know if it was stamped to give more authenticity?

The seller is asking $3500 Canadian for the rifle. He has never shot it so can't confirm how it shoots. I just can't tell if it was a real K98 sniper rifle at one point with a reproduction mount or if it's just a fake.

 

[bearhunter]

How are you going to determine what's correct and what isn't when it comes to Yugoslav sniper rifles?

That rifle looks good to me

That type of mount was and still is quite popular in Europe.

When the civil war broke out in Yugoslavia and as it continued, there were all sorts of sniper rifle configurations, which were based on the M48 or Yugo FTR K98 rifles.

Which of them are "Bonafide" snipers?

All fighting factions used them to good effect.

Spotting a post war knock off is next to impossible if period correct components are used to assemble the rifle.

Sometimes you just have to go with your gut feeling.

In this case, if you want a representative piece, as well as utilizing it as a shooter, the price is a bit steep IMHO, but it definitely covers your needs.

 

[MrBalkan]

How are you going to determine what's correct and what isn't when it comes to Yugoslav sniper rifles?

When the civil war broke out in Yugoslavia and as it continued, there were all sorts of sniper rifle configurations, which were based on the M48 or Yugo FTR K98 rifles.

All fighting factions used them to good effect.

Spotting a post war knock off is next to impossible if period correct components are used to assemble the rifle.

Correct. Yugoslavia was using them for a long time. Heres my old man with his rifle in 66'



How's the end of the barrel? What's the rifling looking like in that bore. If you want it for the cool factor of the numbers matching okay sure but it's priced steep for a rifle "never shot."

 

[ArmedGinger]

If you want it for the cool factor of the numbers matching okay sure but it's priced steep for a rifle "never shot."

If it was a real ex sniper rifle then the price would be decent even though the mount is a reproduction. But yes as a clone that has never been shot then yes the price is a little high.

 

[Hitzy]

$3500....not a chance, hard pass.

 

[Claven2]

My opinion:

The scope is a sporting scope that had soldered drilling mounts. Mounts were removed and cold blue touched up.

The safety is repro and renumbered with modern stamps.

The scope base might be original, can’t tell from the pics.

Mount itself is a fake/reproduction, in my opinion, and marked to look like it is real and purposed by Yugoslavia. The blueing loss is also faked. Someone likely rubbed it down real good with some talc to simulate wear.

Looks like it’s a nice representative shooter, but I would not pay big money for it.

 

[can14]

Just wondering , did they number safety on most guns
I have two Israeli 98k 7.62 sniper rifle’s, and they aren’t numbered