[teflon47]

New to the board and I have a couple of questions about a K98 I purchased.

It is a 1941 BNZ with X marking. The serial number on the barrel & stock match but no serial number on the bolt.

The bolt also has two elongated holes.

My question is I am wondering if I would ruin the gun by restoring it.

Robert

 

[mauserdad]

Sounds like a Russian captured rifle. Some say the "X" is actually crossed swords. This is a Russian mark. Many were captured from Germans during WW2,refurbished and then put in storage or given to othere countries after the war.The 2 holes are gas escape holes,a safety feature of the bolt. Why are you restoring it? Has it been altered in some way like the stock being cut? They are what they are,a piece of history as is. HTH. Ed

 

[teflon47]

The stock not been cut. I was just looking for a project gun. Sounds like it would be better to be hands off.

 

[boltactionsforever]

I don't know about that.....it's yours and is not a original configuration weapon, so I will sit on the fence and say it's your choice.

It sounds like a Russian Capture K98 originally made by Steyr in 1941 (bnz code), and the stock matching numbers are probably stamped on the side of the butt stock (Also by the Russians)--Germany never stamp matched there rifles like that.

It's not a pure high dollar collectors piece because it's original configuration has been long gone with there mismatched components and Russian remarked pieces.....so it's your call.

Your more then welcome to join the K98 board and post some pictures....

http://forums.gunboards.com/forumdisplay.php?6-The-K98-Mauser-Forum

Welcome to the boards!

BAF

 

[teflon47]

Thanks

 

[Ronbo6]

The two elongated holes you describe (near the front of the bolt. I assume) is the way a 98 Mauser handles escaping gases from a case or primer failure. With the bolt closed, these holes line up with the locking lug channel in the left receiver rail. Any gas that enters the bolt through the firing pin hole (from a pierced primer or general case failure) gets vented through these holes to the locking lug channel, which then allows the gas to escape through the charger thumb cutout. The flange on the front of the bolt sleeve keeps these gases from going any further to the rear and hitting the shooter directly in the face.

Those Mauser guys were SMART!

 

[teflon47]

German technology

 

[TMann]

I was just looking for a project gun.

If you want a Mauser for a project, there are many out there that are for sale that have perhaps just the bolt bent or are still in the Military configuration that have been drilled and tapped for scope. The purist feel that once the Russians captured a German Mauser and refurbished it the weapon lost its identity. They are probably correct to a degree. I feel that being a RC, is part of the weapons history. But, we all have our own outlooks on this. Welcome to the board.

 

[lornedavis]

The X represents crossed rifles, Mosin M-91's actually, Russian military property mark!

 

[teflon47]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome