Very nice example of an uncommon prewar issue Kar-98k service rifle made in 1938.  Principal markings include: “4838e” (serial number); “S/27” (manufacturer’s code); “Mod. 98” (model); eagle over “77” (military acceptance stamps); eagle over “H” (German Army property stamp).  Since the rifle was made in 1938, the overall manufacturing quality is exceptional – and without the production shortcuts and cheaper materials used during the war.

The condition is excellent with overall 90 percent blue remaining.  The receiver, barrel, and bolt have about 95 percent blue remaining (with some thinning on the receiver and bolt knob).  The trigger guard, magazine floor plate, barrel bands have a thinning finish (a typical wear pattern found on Kar-98k rifles) with the most wear on the forward barrel band.  The bore is excellent with strong rifling. The stock is also excellent with only very light handling marks.  The numerous inspection stamps, Army property mark, and serial number are all exceptional and clearly visible on the stock.

As designated by the “S/27” manufacturer’s code, the rifle was made by Erfurter Maschinenfabrik Werke (ERMA), Erfurt.  This is a harder-to-find maker of the Kar-98k rifle because ERMA only produced the 98k rifle from 1935 until 1938, at which time production was switched to making the MP-38/MP-40 machine pistol, MG-34 machinegun, and other armaments.  ERMA manufactured 114,900 Kar-98k rifles in 1938, based on the serial number, this rifle was made in June 1938.

This rifle is fully functioning and all the serial numbers match with the exception of the cleaning rod (the rod is original and not a reproduction).  Even the trigger guard assembly screws are serial numbered!

The gun had four small wartime replacement repair parts installed by a unit Waffenmeister (armorer) at a German Feldwerkstatt (field workshop) during the period 1942 - 1944.  These wartime replacement parts can be identified because they have no serial number and only a military inspection stamp.  The replacement parts were either new-made or refurbished parts having the serial number removed, re-blued, and then re-inspected.  See Karem and Steves’ multi-volume reference book set Karabiner 98k, Volume IIb, Chapter 13: “Reworks & Depot Builds” for a full description of this process.

The armorer replaced four bolt subcomponents on this rifle that obviously wore out or broke; the safety, gas shield, cocking piece, and firing pin (the latter correctly not blued) are unnumbered repair parts supplied by the German occupied Radom factory.  Radom production is denoted by the eagle over “77” inspection stamp.  This “77” stamp was used by the military inspection team at ERMA in 1937-1938, but the inspector and his team moved to Radom in late 1939 or early 1940.  The safety and cocking piece are new-made replacement parts and the gas shield and firing pin are refurbished parts.  All are only marked with the eagle over “77” inspection stamp.  The repair can be dated to post-1941 because the replaced safety is the second type design.

Prewar Kar-98K rifles in this condition rarely come on the market!  Moreover, 98k rifles made in the 1930s are highly desirable and have therefore become scarce in recent years with typical prices steadily climbing to over $3,500.  As such, this is an excellent opportunity to own a collector grade classic German rifle made a year prior to the German invasion of Poland and with active service throughout the war!  [SK] [PH:L]

Firearms may only be shipped to a licensed dealer (FFL Holder) - If you are not a licensed dealer, you must make arrangements with a dealer in your state to receive the firearm and transfer it to you.

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