[Tantal1]

I don't know much if anything about German Mauser scope set-ups, but my late grandfather, who was a gunsmith, left me a KAR 98 that he built back in the 50's that my grandmother gave me when I was old enough to appreciate it. The rifle has not been out of the closet since he died in the mid-60's. I've only openned the old case it was stored in to oil it every so often. But recently, I've become quite interested in Mausers and want to learn more of I can..

This rifle is a sporterized German rifle marked KAR98, and I always thought the optics set-up was probably aftermarket hunting stuff until I saw an apparently original German sniper rifle on Gunbroker a few weeks ago that showed the same basic style of scope mount.

I guess it's called a claw mount, with two forward hooks on the forward ring that slide into a dovetailed block just behind the rear sight base, then the back scope ring is popped into place under a sort of spring loaded t-hand lever assembly.

My question is if this is a German WW2 design, and if so what is it called. Also, it is very common? Were there aftermarket set-ups like this available in the 1950's and 60's?

The scope is blued and has a sort of 3/4 ring on the back and a ring that fits onto the large objective tube on the front, instead of the middle tube. If memory serves me, the scope is marked with "Astra 4x" I think.

The bolt looks factory and has a spoon style handle instead of a ball.

What do I actually have here?

Thanks,
Doug

 

[AGB-1]

Scope mount Identification?

It would probably be helpfull to post some pictures. Books that might help are: Richard Law's books,Spielauer's and Stroebel's book. the is also a Collecter Grade Publications On Mauser commerical sporters. A search on ebay might turn up something(german scope) There are a lot of combinations it could be. AGB-1

 

[Bill In Indiana]

Posting some pics would be the best way for us to help you on this one.

 

[Tantal1]

I highly appreciate the guys who posted here with offers to help identify this scope rig, and yes, it was stupid of me to post a query without images, sorry. I apologize it took me so long to get back to this posting.

I guess my basic question is if this was a true German WW2 design or something that was designed later on? Here are some quick images. Let me know what you think.

 

[AGB-1]

Scope mount system

Looks like a double claw mount system. could be either pre or post war. I am by no means an expert on these and it would be helpfull to know the scope markings and rifle markings. It is a very nice rig and many pre war sporters were made before and after WW1. Hope some of the other board members will comment. Collector Grade Publications has a book on commercial mauser sporting rifles which would be a good source of information. AGB-1

 

[vaughn99]

the rifle is a Kar98a carbine sporterized. the scope looks like a Hiedlman scope which appear to be prewar on a set of commercial double claw mounts. the bolt handle looks to be forged to it current configuration from the original. very well done looks almost new reblued. value would be about 800-1200.00 to the right person these rifles a collector specific . For a small ring mauser ( 1.300) it is very unusually to see this type of set on this receiver. the extra .110 on a large ring (1.410) gives you room for the dove tail. most small rings have soldered on dove tail front mounts. most dove tail takes between .090 and .098 of cut for proper seating. what calibur is the rifle??? barrel appears to be replaced or the steps removed?


later
vaughn

 

[kerneels]

Hi guys

My dad has a 8x57 Mauser with a similar scope and mounts.

I am currently busy sporterizing this rifle and want to fit a Leupold 1" scope with modern leupold mauser 98 bases. In order for me to do this, I had to machine down the old base on the front receiver ring(dovetail one) for a nice round surface for the new base to fit on. After machining down I discovered that the two grooves for the front claw went right through the receiver into the barrel thread. I could see right though the receiver after unscrewing the old barrel

I decided to weld-close the two grooves with an arc welder and machine the welding "humps" down to a nice round surface for the new scope base.

Now, my questions is......
Would the welding have weakened the steel on the front receiver ring?
How much strain is there on the front receiver ring when firing a shot?

I'll be waiting for your replies.

Cheers
Kerneels

 

[sniperfreak]

I highly appreciate the guys who posted here with offers to help identify this scope rig, and yes, it was stupid of me to post a query without images, sorry. I apologize it took me so long to get back to this posting.

I guess my basic question is if this was a true German WW2 design or something that was designed later on? Here are some quick images. Let me know what you think.

looks like a German-style sporter, the butterknife bolt handle and that particular pattern of scope mount were very popular among hunters in interwar germany, and the KAR 98 marking on the reciever wall would likely make that a "small ring" action from a WWI-era Kar.98az, not the more familiar WWII-era Kar.98k.

 

[Noonanda1975]

Hi guys

My dad has a 8x57 Mauser with a similar scope and mounts.

I am currently busy sporterizing this rifle and want to fit a Leupold 1" scope with modern leupold mauser 98 bases. In order for me to do this, I had to machine down the old base on the front receiver ring(dovetail one) for a nice round surface for the new base to fit on. After machining down I discovered that the two grooves for the front claw went right through the receiver into the barrel thread. I could see right though the receiver after unscrewing the old barrel

I decided to weld-close the two grooves with an arc welder and machine the welding "humps" down to a nice round surface for the new scope base.

Now, my questions is......
Would the welding have weakened the steel on the front receiver ring?
How much strain is there on the front receiver ring when firing a shot?

I'll be waiting for your replies.

Cheers
Kerneels

I'll bet the weld messed up the heat treatment of the reciever (especially an arc weld) and if you were to shoot it it could possibly be like playing hot potato with a hand grenade.
You also know you took a 800+ dollar gun (if it is just like the pics of the one posted) and turned it into spare parts to be sold on ebay. but its your gun.

 

[jgaynor]

Hi guys

My dad has a 8x57 Mauser with a similar scope and mounts.

I am currently busy sporterizing this rifle and want to fit a Leupold 1" scope with modern leupold mauser 98 bases. In order for me to do this, I had to machine down the old base on the front receiver ring(dovetail one) for a nice round surface for the new base to fit on. After machining down I discovered that the two grooves for the front claw went right through the receiver into the barrel thread. I could see right though the receiver after unscrewing the old barrel

I decided to weld-close the two grooves with an arc welder and machine the welding "humps" down to a nice round surface for the new scope base.

Now, my questions is......
Would the welding have weakened the steel on the front receiver ring?
How much strain is there on the front receiver ring when firing a shot?

I'll be waiting for your replies.

Cheers
Kerneels

Nice try ...Now back under the bridge!

 

[Noonanda1975]

Hi guys

My dad has a 8x57 Mauser with a similar scope and mounts.

I am currently busy sporterizing this rifle and want to fit a Leupold 1" scope with modern leupold mauser 98 bases. In order for me to do this, I had to machine down the old base on the front receiver ring(dovetail one) for a nice round surface for the new base to fit on. After machining down I discovered that the two grooves for the front claw went right through the receiver into the barrel thread. I could see right though the receiver after unscrewing the old barrel

I decided to weld-close the two grooves with an arc welder and machine the welding "humps" down to a nice round surface for the new scope base.

Now, my questions is......
Would the welding have weakened the steel on the front receiver ring?
How much strain is there on the front receiver ring when firing a shot?

I'll be waiting for your replies.

Cheers
Kerneels

I reccomend you test fire it with your face up against the welded area to ensure it is safe for others to shoot it later

 

[kerneels]

My dad's rifle is in a much worse condition than the one shown in the images. It is basically worth nothing.

I didn't ask for sarcasm or insults, but merely wanted to get some expert opinions on the situation.

I am not very experienced in the rifle department, but certainly am very good with my hands.
Obviously this wasn't a very wise thing to do.

Would anyone know where I can find a used 98 receiver in a descent condition?

 

[Noonanda1975]

I've got an M-48 reciever that is stripped and awaitng some far off project. Your post had all the alarms of being a troll coming here to start crap. not someone with a valid question. You should know that Arc Welding will change the heat treatment of the reicever, it seemed like you were "Trolling" for a response.

 

[kewk]

I realize this is an old thread but I recently picked up a mismatched 98b with the same receiver mounts, but without the scope and rings. What are best options to find a reasonably priced scope with rings? A repro would be preferred as its a shooter.

 

[bokila]

I realize this is an old thread but I recently picked up a mismatched 98b with the same receiver mounts, but without the scope and rings. What are best options to find a reasonably priced scope with rings? A repro would be preferred as its a shooter.

If you are looking for a repro - Accumounts - German K98

 

[kewk]

They don't seem to have anything that looks right. Any other sources other than looking at auction sites?