1942 Code AR K98k-ZF41 (Karabiner 98) Rifle - Serial #1636k
(Mfg by Mauser Werke AG, Borsigwalde)

Mauser 22 Rifle Serial Numbers Database If your firearm manufacturer was not listed or covered in this lense. Please vote 'other' below and add a comment as to which firearm you are looking for and I will do my best to find and update the information on this lens for you. Shortcut for bullet points in word mac. Description: This is a German Mauser K98 serial number 51924h marked with the 'byf 43' and eagle and swastika. It has the original leather sling attached. (See photos) The blueing on this rifle is near-perfect and it fires with pinpoint accuracy (I have never needed a scope).

(Click PIC to Enlarge)
(Click PIC to Enlarge)

Caliber: ................. 7.92 x 57mm (8mm Mauser)
Rifling & Twist: ........... 4 Groove, Right Hand
Barrel Length: ............ 23.62 in. (600mm)
Overall Length: ........... 43.7 in. (1110mm)
Weight: ................. 8.38 lb. (3.8 kg without sling, ammo or bayonet)
Magazine Capacity: ........ 5 rounds
Total K98k Qty Mfg ......... 14,048,789 (Estimated 1934 - 1945 from Richard Law's calculations)
1942 Qty&Ser# (ar 42)...... 110,489 (Low observed # 4583 - High observed # 5003)
Source: ............ Backbone of the Wehrmacht
(The German K98k Rifle, 1934 - 1945) by Richard D Law' (1993) - ISBN: 0-88935-139-2
Canadian Collector Market Value Estimate: $
1942 Code AR K98k-ZF41 Rifle
(239 picture virtual tour)

Observations:
The K98k was the primary infantry rifle for the German Wehrmacht during World War II. The 'k' is for Kurz, which means 'short' in German. Check for matching serial numbers on left side of receiver, top of bolt flat, barrel, top of safety, top of bolt sleeve, cocking piece, upper band, lower band, butt plate, rear sight leaf, rear sight guide and stock bottom, with last two digits of serial number on virtually all other components, right down to the firing pin and cleaning rod. See virtual tour pics for details of font type and location of serial numbers. Check under wood for matching serial numbers on handguard and stock. Check for availability of correct WWII K98k sling with German Waffenamt WaA markings, which by itself can add approximately $100-$150 value to the rifle.
Collector's Comments and Feedback:
1. Starting from 1941 the short 1.5x Zielfernrohr 41 (Zf41) telescopic sight was fitted to some Karabiner 98k rifles for sharpshooting use. The Zf-41 was in fact the first attempt to provide the ordinary infantryman with a rifle capable of being used, if not for pure sniping, then at least for sharpshooting. Most modern-day armies have adopted some form of optical aiming device on infantryweapons (such as the ACOG scope). It was initially planned to equip most combat units with the Zf-41 scopes, but only 6% of German weapons production could fit the sight.
Though useful for sharpshooting with normal infantry units, the design was generally rejected by sniper schools and disliked by snipers, because the 1.5x magnifying scope was deemed insufficient for shooting effectively over long distances. Problems were the scope's extreme eye relief, poor functioning in bad light and low magnifying power. Nonetheless, lack of better scopes made that the Zf-41 was used by snipers at the early stages of the war against the Soviet Union, though many snipers preferred captured Soviet rifles and customly-equipped German rifles with civilian scopes such as the vintage Gewehr 98.
By the end of the war in 1945 more than 100,000 Zf-41 scopes had been produced, the largest production of German optical sights during the war. .... (Extract from Wikipedia by 'Badger')
2. WARNING: The K98k is one of the most commonly faked collector's rifles in the marketplace. Be very careful when you look to buy one of these on-line, or at gun shows. Get as much information as possible about the rifle and its provenance. Ask LOTS of questions, check the markings (particularly the stamping FONTS) against known 'all correct' righteous samples, like the one displayed here in our virtual tour. However, please note that these fonts will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, so buying Richard Law's book (see above) would be a good investment, if you're planning on becoming a serious collector of K98k rifles. If not offered, request a 'money back' inspection period from the seller and above all, if it doesn't feel right .. don't buy, but seek some more experienced help. Don't hesitate to ask one of the folks on our MILSURPS.COM Advisory Panel, who perhaps have sound expertise on the K98k.
Here's a bunch of links to examples that should make you pay careful attention, especially when you're buying what may be portrayed as an 'all correct' and 'all matching' K98k rifle. The bottom line, validating provenance is becoming more important every day, particularly if one is buying these firearms as collectibles and expecting them to appreciate in value over time.
Links and content are credited to Brock's , Inc., Decatur, GA. (click here)
FAKE K98k BOLT NUMBERS (click here)
FAKE K98k FLOOR PLATE NUMBERS (click here)
FAKE K98k FRONT BAND NUMBER (click here)
FAKE K98k MIDDLE BAND NUMBERS (click here)
'Caveat Emptor' ... (Feedback by 'Badger')
3. CAUTION: How do I tell if I have a rebuilt RC (Russian Capture) and not an original unaltered K98k?
Russian Capture K98k's all share similar traits. The are all WW2 era German Karabiners (though some are former Gew98's the Nazis had converted to K98k spec - rare though!). Most have matching receiver and barrel.
When the Russians came into these guns they stockpiled them and promptly began doing other more important things like rebuilding their cities, etc. Many RC rifles sat for month or even years exposed to the elements. By the late 1940's, many of these rifles were in an advanced state of deterioration, while some remained like new.
In true Russian style, a colossal public make-work project was undertaken. The ENTIRE inventory of German small arms then in Russian possession (roughly half the total wartime output of Nazi Germany's arms production) was ordered to undergo refurbishment and as many useable arms as possible to be made ready. Why? Russia was paranoid. The Cold War was freezing over and Russia feared invasion from the West. Also, it was a cheap source of arms they could export to allies in North Korea, Cuba, Vietnam, and every other wanna-be commi armpit of the world without depleting their 'front line' weapons stockpiles.
The Russians took all their K98k's, and totally disassembled them except for the barrel. Bores were inspected and those found to be acceptable (ie, some pitting OK - so long as it's still safely shootable, much like with their refurbed Mosins) were set aside. Those that were deemed too far gone were recycled into steel for tractor parts or Order of Lennin medals, or whatever.
The small parts were all hot-dip reblued. Rusty parts were wire brushed or sandblasted first. These were placed indiscriminately in bins. The stocks were also inspected for serviceability. Those deemed acceptable were retained, those unacceptable were burned.
When the rifles were re-assembled no effort was made to match parts. A new (used) bolt was assembled and fitted to the receiver and the whole affair was assembled into a rifle from the binned parts. When done, most parts were electropencilled with the rifle's serial number and a flat was sanded on the left side of the wood stock (think big belt sander and half-drunk worker). The rifle's serial number was stamped there running parallel to the rifle's bore line. (Yugos are stamped perpendicular, for comparison)
Once complete, the whole rifle was generally painted in cheap shellac as a preservative agent - these are often not cosmolened for some reason - crated up and sent to war reserve, especially in the frontier states like Ukraine (which stored them in underground 'nuclear proof' depleted salt mines). Today, cash strapped former Soviet states are all too happy to sell these to us.
It's difficult to say what percentage of captured arms survived the rebuild programs, but I'd imagine maybe half (or less) would be a good guess. Many of these arms sat out in the open for LONG periods of time before being rebuilt, so attrition due to the elements was probably a factor.
It's also wrong to assume that RC's are, in fact, 'captures'. At any given moment, less than 2 million Na

Mauser 98 Serial Number Database